With a single strum
The ears perk
And the spirit awakens
Waves of music absorbed into every pore
Not even a year
She listens with keen interest
Fascinated by the sound
And pulled to move closer
The chords drawing her in
The strings fill a silent room
Joy, life, and magic
Noted by those present
The tiniest among us smiles and coos
A reminder that music surrounds and envelopes.
In a world currently overwhelmed with social media, digital advances, and fast-paced living, we sometimes race straight past Present and head towards an unknown Future. I admit to the above and, as such, decided to create Sunday SoulJourn as a reminder that life is not a race; it’s a journey.
Join me every Sunday as I reflect, ponder, and contemplate topics that tend to get overlooked as we sprint through life.
I started this SoulJourn with my youngest sister as a welcome companion. We ventured to the Menlha Kadampa Buddhist Center in Lambertville, NJ for a morning session (Advice for a Happy Life with Prayers for World Peace), then went for lunch, and did some shopping. As we drove along the Delaware Canal, we discussed our current life paths, struggles we’re facing, and swapped advice.
With both of us moving at a fast pace – work, her kids, my writing time, and other appointments – we don’t always make the time to spend together as often as we used to. It was nice to relax, share in a new spiritual adventure (I definitely recommend checking out the Menlha Center’s website), and just have “girl time”.
Today reminded me that I’m surrounded by love, beauty, laughter, and joy every day – I just need to recognize and embrace it!
Expecting a poem?
I was too until I realized that my poetry juices were too bitter to the taste this week. Instead of mixing together a concoction of words, phrases, and a hint of lyricism, I decided to pour a cup of self-sympaTEA.
Some days I wake up grumpy, miserable, and not ready to be grateful/joyful/pleasant. Nothing I try on looks right or feels comfortable. I forego styling my hair for an extra ten minutes of mediation (aka cat napping) before I have to leave for work. Sometimes I’m just tired and that’s okay.
I’m not perfect. I’m not always dressed stylishly or adorned with jewelry. I don’t always have a positive outlook. I occasionally have no desire to sing along to the car radio. “What’s wrong with her?” you may wonder. “No need to fret,” I’d reply. I’m just realizing that it’s a-okay to have not some cheerful days and that it’s much better to admit to that than pretend everything’s fine.
Two strangers seated at the table. What happens next?
Be creative! Have fun! Write!!!
Where? For art, thou must live
Deep within the cocoon of soul
Blooming and growing in spending colors
Creativity streaming from all angles
Paint the picture clear as day in your imagination,
Creating a work worthy of art’s label
Compose a song that lingers on repeat
Write the story in your mind’s eye
Dance like the entire world is watching
Entranced, step by glorious step
Where art resides, so too does spirit
The two working in tandem
Raising us all to a harmonizing frequency
Use the image above as creative inspiration. Draft a short story, poem, song, or in-depth article on open space conservation.
Have fun and keep writing!
Like a butterfly trapped within
My artistic spirit yearns to soar
Its flapping wings a constant reminder
Of its presence and need for freedom
An independent spirit
Fluttering her wings
Searching the land
For a place to call home
When I release the constraints
And let the butterfly soar
The writing deepens in meaning
And the artistic spirit flies free!
I thought long and hard about what to write about on the final week of the Petals of Appreciation campaign. Given that July 4th is such an important occasion in my beloved country, I figured I SHOULD focus on those who formed this country and the ones who continue to fight for it. However, every time I sat down to put my words of appreciation into a coherent post, I couldn’t adequately express my thanks. So, I decided not to force a “Thank You” post based on perceived expectations; the result is as follows:
Though I may not always agree with the choices made by those who represent us, I will always be proud to be an American!
Write…just write…don’t overthink or over analyze…what does this image inspire you to write about?
We wait with anticipation
Time inching by
Until we strap in and start accelerating
Up we go, excited for what comes next
And not wanting the ride to end
In the moment, we’re flying free
The miniature setting below just a blur
We’re consumed by the exhilaration
Unconcerned with the problems that await us
We speed through the air, constrained yet not
Right side up
And upside down
Twists and turns
Fast then slow
We come to a halt yet the ride of our life is already moving.
Kelly Deeny