Fluidity in the Face of Change

Over the course of the past year I have shared many triumphs, some failures, good news and changes. Ultimately, each of those words are interchangeable. Their meaning is open to interpretation. It all depends of your perspective. At times I feel disappointment, like my energy is being drained and pulled downward. Inside, I know that I have an infinity for water. Water flows where it needs to go.

St. John's Wort

Over the past week I have gone through a great deal of upheaval. Well laid plans have been disrupted. The workshop on African Herbal Healing, I've shared about on this blog, has been suddenly modified. It appears to have been canceled but that's not entirely true. Let's just say that where and when it will be offered is unresolved. As things evolve with the scheduling of that event, as well as with other happenings that might be of interest, I will let you know right here.

Freshly Cut Lavender

More than St. John's Wort, and the melancholia it is meant to address, I find myself relating to lavender. Meeting up with unexpected changes, lavender is the perfect herb. A highly adaptable plant in terms of who, what and how it treats. It is the medicine most closely matched to where I currently am. I have fresh cuttings of the sprightly, uplifting herb right next to me on my desk. Their habit and bearing, inspiring.

One of the breathtaking sights I admire, is watching migrating birds in flight. Their ability to adapt fluidly and effortlessly is today's source of wisdom. They go where needed, in their own time and space. Most of all, though they may alter their direction, ultimately they stay connected and through that connection they are sustained.

With herbs steeping slowly I am mimicking my namesake, the bird. Always fluid and adaptable in the face of change.

Goddess and Prince of Flowers

While teaching painting and drawing at the School of the Art Institute, I was always drawn to the Codex Borgia . Sadly, seldom did I actually find ways of incorporating that gorgeous, ancient, illustrated manuscript into my lesson plans. I would just go through the book of images and savor them on my own. Now I understand why it was calling out to me. It is the tool of healers, diviners and scribes--it contains prophesies. It is going to take a while, still, but some day I will understand the lessons it seeks to teach me. Now in "Mama Nature's Spiritual Guide to Weight-loss" as I write, I am finding my book is being fleshed out by Aztec and Mayan deities. They just showed up and wanted in. I find myself questioning their appearance and loving it all at the same time. Pictured above is Aztec Goddess, Xochiquetzal, pronounced Sho-chi-ket-sal. Her name is in the language Nahuatl. The first part Xochitl (flower or to flower) and the second Quetzal (bird of splendid fe...

Dancing

D is for Dancing Zulu Dancer So, what can you do for free, that lifts your mood by elevating endorphin levels that also helps your fitness level? Dance! As a girl, I was blessed with a unique opportunity. My mother had danced in her youth and wanted to share that experience with me. Through her encouragement, I grew to love my dance lessons and ended up studying dance about 4 nights a week and then performing on the weekends. One of my favorite activities was dancing outside. I enjoyed practicing my turns outdoors (poor grass!). So, I’d put our large speakers outside the door and then turn and turn, and turn some more, using the trees across the lake as a spotting tool. In case you’re unfamiliar spotting is a place you focus your eyes so that you don’t become dizzy. Now, some of you reading this will think this sounds crazy. Others are living in a place wherein doing something like this is not possible. I’m not suggesting you twirl outside, but hey, if you can, g...

Follow Fest Interview and Sharing

When I first became a blogger it was difficult to know if I had readers and visitors coming to my blog. I’d post and be met by the sounds of crickets. Then, I branched out into the world of the blogosphere, a world I didn't know really existed. From my ventures, I met a lot of interesting bloggers. I've started following and commenting on numerous blogs, for you see, prior to my outings, I too was out among the crickets. Lurking about but seldom saying anything. A fellow blogger I've met through my journeys around the blogosphere is Melissa Maygrove . She had the brilliant idea to have a Follow Fest , where we share about who we are, what we do and most importantly, how you can connect with us further. It is my intention through joining Follow Fest, that I’ll connect with many more readers and people interested enough in what I do to want to learn more by following. So, here goes my entry for the fest. Name: St...

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