Day 16,553 Gratitude

Today I am so grateful ...

For the courage to give another peek inside of my sketchbook journal. Journaling in this way is so new to me and I feel so vulnerable in the process and with the sharing. But it is good to be a beginner and the older that I get, the more that I embrace the gifts that it holds. There's nothing comfortable about feeling fumbly, but it is what awaits on the other side of the slipping and sliding that makes it all worthwhile.

For the courage to accept the triple-dog dare to let go of my attachment to multiple means of keeping track of my days and condense it all into this one sketchbook journal. Yikes. It seems ridiculous that this change should feel so overwhelming to me, but I love my big Moleskine journal/calendar with a page for each day. It's still so brand-spankin' new. I write my daily I-will lists and keep notes for each day in there. It's swell. And I've been consistent, which cannot be said for many other best intentions. But I never seem to get around to getting in that sketchbook journal that beckons me from side table. It's become all precious, which it shouldn't, so it's easily ignored. Unfortunate, because it yearns to be my best friend ... I just haven't given it a decent chance to prove its worth.

With that said, I will take the month of February to set aside my Moleskine and use my sketchbook journal alone as the daily receptacle for all things Jules. My world may implode in the process, but what buoys me is knowing that I can go back to keeping multiple journals on March 1st if this process doesn't suit me. Simplification is always a good thing, as is having one less thing to lug around. A little creative rewiring could do me a world of good.

If you're going to give something an extended try, think about doing it through February. Really. Twenty-eight days. We can do anything for 28 days. So how about you? What game will you be play with the shortest month of the year?

Mandala Monday - 1/31/11

Sending out a special welcome to friends from Julie Lusk's yoga sleepover who got their crayons on this past weekend! You can download this week's mandala here. Does it show that I'm getting into a Valentine's state of mind?

Happy coloring to one and all!

Day 16,552 Gratitude

Today I am so grateful ...

For this morning's beautiful sunrise on this, the second day in a row of sunshine and blue skies. I was able to take a break from the indoor portion of the retreat to get outdoors and explore. The snow is melting. Birds are singing. And the sweet earth is emanating the scent of expectancy.

For the joy in reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. There are many people who I only get to see at these semi-annual retreats, so it always feels like a reunion. There are a number of repeat offenders such as myself. (Since 2002, I have attended no less than 10 times.) Sometimes friends tag along and new people hear of it and sign up in synchronistic ways. We had a full-house of 36 people for this January gathering! And after two years of corresponding by e-mail, I finally got the opportunity to meet Zeynep Yilmaz in person. She has done an amazing job of bringing the Cincinnati Reiki community together. I can't thank her enough for her hard work and dedication.

For the holding of sacred space ... for ourselves and each other. There is something so special about this place. The evidence is all around. We keep an altar together. Several, when you come to think of it. And the chapel where we have our yoga classes ... there's deep healing on tap there. It's as though all of the prayers by all of the people over all of the years and decades have been lovingly woven together to create a blanket of deep peace over every room, every building, every square acre. I arrive on empty and leave with a full tank. Every single time.

For watching the breakfast-fetching antics of the largest red-tailed hawk that I've ever seen. It hopped from branch to branch in a bare tree and then gracelessly scraped itself down the trunk to the ground. I wondered if it was injured or ill until I realized that it was trying to catch a squirrel that was desperately clinging to and winding its way around the tree. When I saw feathers come off of the hawk I wanted to run right over and see what treasures it had left for me, but wisely decided to wait. I went back a few hours later, greedily hoping for a tail feather or maybe one from the wing, but there were five downy feathers instead, probably from the chest or underwing. I'm secretly hoping that the squirrel prevailed.

What magical treasures or opportunities for deep peace have you found lately on your journey?

Day 16,551: Wild-Hearted

A wild-hearted friend directed to me this video and I couldn't resist sharing it here with you. For a chunk of my youth, I was positive that I wanted to be Stevie Nicks when I grew up. This video is sweet as honey and reminds me of why I idolized her so. It warms my heart to watch artists (musicians, in particular) get caught up in the moment, immersed in and overcome by what they love. Sitting still and silent were not options for her here. (No doubt to the frustration of her immensely patient make-up artist.) Yes, maybe this was due to more than just the music, but I believe that Stevie was simply hopped up on pure joy.

I'm taking my wild-heart on a much-needed retreat this weekend. This new year is off to a beautiful, but very busy start. My tank is running a bit low, so I aim to fill it up on yoga, good food, and some much needed rest.

While I'm away, I send blessings to you and YOUR wild-heart!

Day 16,550: Gratitude

(Photo from the Archives: 1/28/09)
Today I am so grateful ...

For waking up to a mashed potato snowfall. You know what I'm talking about, right? The flakes are fat and wet. They land like shaving cream from an almost-empty can. Trees, fences, everything gets coated in lumpy white. It's a brief winter wonderland that poses no threat and melts away as quickly as it came. Sadly, I am having issues downloading the photo I took. It's lovely. You'll have to trust me, though, and allow the shot above from my archives to serve in its place.

For making new connections in my efforts to locate animal-centered venues (shelters, rescues, sanctuaries, clinics, etc.) in the Greater Cincinnati area that would be willing to host my Animal Reiki classes. It takes time. For now, I'm happy to teach from my home. My dogs and cats are the lucky ducks that get to be the guinea pigs. Confusing, I know, but you get it.

For a brand new box of 64 Crayola crayons. Remember the sharpener? It has one. Oh yeah.

For a dinner date with my man. I was spinning off in a hundred directions when he got home from the office ... caught up in a never-ending list of all I thought I had to do. But he got me to stop. He got me to breathe. He made me laugh. And then he ushered me into the car and toward sustinence. He knows me well. We've been repeating this scenario almost every Friday evening for nearly 20 years.

And, last but not least, for YOU, sharing with me what you're grateful for today.

Day 16,549 Gratitude

(Photo from the archives: January 27, 2008)
Today I am so grateful ...

For moving forward on my path, regardless of how uninspiring the terrain may appear at times. (Dear January, you are a pop quiz for the soul.)

For new friends here via Pixie Campbell. I am so happy that you've stopped by!

For a dear friend's birthday lunch at The Bonbonerie. This is a magical place of sugary joyness. I chose a lovely little table where we could chow and chat, um, right next to the bathroom. Way to go, me. Sorry, Beth. As for the rest of you, never, ever let me pick the table. Or the check out lane. You've been forewarned.

For the afterglow of my first Taos meeting last night. Amy distributed a supply list and I feel like a kid getting ready to go to camp. The closer it gets, the more real it all becomes. Bring on the Enchantment!

For an idea gifted to me that will keep me from feeling like a hamster on the wheel if I can put it into play. Mulling.

How about you? What are you feeling grateful for today?

Pink Coyote Giveaway

Two pairs of JMBW Valentine's red earrings are part of a giveaway on my girl, Pixie Campbell's blog, Pink Coyote. You should enter ... and then hang around to check out all of the goodness that this wise and wild woman has to offer.

If you don't win or can't stand to wait, these festive red beauties (translucent and opaque red) are also available (while supplies last) through my Etsy shop for just $13.50 + shipping ... that's $2.50 off the regular $16.00 per pair earring price.

And in case you're still not feeling the love, I'm also offering 10% off everything in the shop through Valentine's Day with the coupon code PIXIE.