I just returned from the salon, and after listening to
myself ramble to my hairstylist about the turbulent ride
these last 10 weeks have been, I feel both spent and surprised
to have survived the dizzying twists and turns.
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
Deadlines.
Disappointments.
Mistakes.
Home renovation.
Holidays & Hosting.
Anxiety.
Know how I have been coping with life's bumpy ride?
(No, no, not like a playa and not like a girlboss either...
even though playas and girlbosses are lovely.)
Like a surfer.
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| Photo: Michele - Hello Lovely Studio |
a surfing competition on Oahu's North Shore.
It's my happy place.)
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| The Arizona Fixer Upper...a new Happy Place |
when the roaring waves roll in..even the ones
gnarly enough to claim you.
Because you learn you can ride gnarly waves.
You can.
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
significant on my surfing journey in the past year.
I learned them from a wise teacher.
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| Mixed media collage - Hello Lovely Studio |
Relax and cooperate.
To do this demands a letting go, a surrender,
and a gentle opening of hands and soul.
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
formed clenched fists whenever fear or anxiety surfaced.
I don't think I viewed this response as unhealthy.
Just a harmless reaction, I thought.
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
It was only when I began to unfurl the fear from
these fingers in a vulnerable
and surrendered posture to receive,
that I began to awaken to a hidden wholeness.
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
to the sky more often, I found that my capacity
to feel love and compassion was expanding.
Is this not a precious treasure to discover
in the second half of life!?!
There was indeed violence in my tightly held fists.
Directed inward.
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
stay-at-home-gypsy wired for words
more than I do a wave-loving-surfer-sage.
But there is surfing going on over here
in the land-locked heartland, brah.
Also gratitude.
For waves, for transformation,
for the gift of awakening to new realms.
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
you'll transmit it, and I know he's right.
In fact, pain can be recycled beautifully
if we allow it to have its way with us.
Kindness too!
So when I open these hands now, I let go.
Of attachments.
Of fear.
Of my need for approval and acceptance.
I let go of the old agenda,
and suddenly a new spaciousness
takes hold.
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
It's an ongoing endeavor, of course.
I keep falling asleep, keep clinging,
and keep forgetting to open my hands.
And I'll never truly arrive, even with striving
(which is totally a relief if you ask me).
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| Hello Lovely Studio |
But what might lie ahead with
metaphorical surfing practice, living out
two un-sexy words--relax and cooperate--
when the seas are stormy?
Do you suppose even bumpy roads
can somehow become a beautiful
deep blue ocean of waves?
Peace to you right where you are.
