8.29.2007

it's all sacred

After reading this post from the lovely and inspiring Jen Lemen, I decided to start being a little proactive about challenging myself with various projects to get some energy flowing in a positive direction within. It never fails when I put that kind of intention out there, opportunities show up by the truckload. I love that. I really get excited (sometimes overwhelmed) by the communities that are formed here in blogosphere. I think it is something quite telling of our hunger for connection and inspiration. I am truly inspired, each day that I read over amazing words, or take in beautiful photographs, or soak in the amazement of someones fabulous artwork...I am deeply touched. I am also moved beyond words when my own experiences that have created certain emotions within can be met with acceptance because someone, somewhere has lived their own life, full of their individual experiences and decided to write about it in their own personal way which, upon my reading it, leaves me feeling so fully supported and embraced and cocooned by some kind of universal understanding and connection. yum. It also amazes me when I can be searching around and fall upon something like this...which is always so easy to devour in the "it-is-just-nice-to-be-reminded" sort of way.
So...when searching for some type of creative challenge that could stir up my enthusiasm in a way that leads me towards fuller experience (and acceptance) of my daily rituals...I came across this lusciousness! And so, I am jumping in. It is a challenge (of sorts) to document and write about the precious parts of my life that are completely mine...that bring me hope or courage or rest or delight. Whatever it may be, I like the idea of mindfully examining the pieces of my existence that bring me sanctity and fulfillment.
And after a day that included a great amount of longing for stillness and quiet...a day that was full of moments where I just wanted to run away and be ALONE...a day in which I felt not-so-patient in my role as mama...I started deeply wishing to be scooped up in some inspiration. Usually, in those moments, I start to dream of some bits of solitude with a really good book. There are always about three or four in rotation that I turn to...and the escape that it gives me, if only for ten minutes, is something that I truly treasure...usually bringing me to a space of clarity and enough perspective to bring me into the present moment...where I can become available to the gifts that await me. And for that bit of sanctuary, I am very grateful.

6 comments:

Debbie said...

Jess, I really admire you. I admire the strength you have in standing up for your beliefs and heart felt desires. I admire the way you can look into your soul and find what is needed and THEN act upon that. I admire the fact that you know who you are. The path that you take to get to the end result may not be clear, but you have confidence in the process and can just go with it. There are times that my particular, organized, scheduled, anal-retentive self admires the freedom and the joy with which you embrace your life. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. You affect more lives than you realize. Enjoy this beautiful day!

Debbie said...

Okay, at the end I meant that I sometimes envy the life that you allow yourself to live and wish I had the courage to be as willing to follow my inner soul as you are. Okay, that sounds better to me!

daisies said...

:) yay ~ so happy that you are doing the 'my sacred life' project as well. it breathes wonder into me :) i love this post ~ you are soooo amazing, have a beautiful day! xox

Anonymous said...

I think I'm a little too shallow to have any profound comments here. However, your writing causes me to do a lot of thinking and soul searching...now I fear, at my age, I'm going to get so far into myself, I won't be able to find my way out! Or I won't be able to find my butt with both hands!

Carla said...

What a privilege to meet you! I could spend all night reading your blog. I'm so glad you've joined the Sacred Life project ...

Rick Hamrick said...

Jess--the photo absolutely blows me away. There is such powerful, and at the same time, gentle mother-and-child energy in it that I cannot adequately give it its due in words alone.

Your words, the urge for sanctuary in the life you are leading, are so evocative of a time in my life now years behind me. My daughters are now of an age where I actively seek to get on their schedules. So, so almost instantly we go from ones so dependent to ones so hard to track down!

Thanks so much for joining My Sacred Life!