Wednesday, June 30, 2010

A Completely New Beginning!

June 30, 2010

For the first time in my adult life I am free of all work commitments including formal employment, teaching, and speaking engagements, and anything related. Nor are there any plans for these in the near future! I feel liberated and excited, almost with a sense of disbelief! As well, for the first time in 38 years I am off for the summer! That may imply I have a plan in mind for the fall months, but I do not!

Awhile ago I became aware that it was important for me to take time to reflect deeply on my life, my purpose, and potentially come up with new direction now that I have departed from my formal career. It was pointed out to me that my writing is an effective tool for self-reflection and personal inspiration. On that basis I would do well to go aside and devote time to this inner exploration. I heartily agreed that this was worthy of my time and attention. Within my heart I welcomed the insights that would emerge, and potentially the transformation which would take place.

That was two months ago! Instead what has happened is something entirely different. I have contemplated writing, readied myself for it, written about taking the time to do it, but have not quite followed through. My dear friend Denyse recently reminded me that the summer goes by quickly! Along with this I began to notice additional places by the water, where one could easily relax, and write.





So as the month of June was about to become history, I decided to take the time for myself to write! As one who benefits from the presence of structure, although enjoying a sense of freedom, I decided to spend three hours a day writing, for the next 30 days. This, at the very least, is my focus for the month of July! When the calendar page turns to August, I will be able to look back and see how I have done!

Cheers everyone! Wish me well!









Sunday, June 27, 2010

Deep Within I Dive

Rain pours down unceasingly
The earth welcomes each new drop
Crow plucks worms from the soggy turf
I'm comfortable in my loft!

Could it be that this steady shower
Which began early on in the night
Is meant to deeply nourish the earth
And keep me from needless flight?

I chuckle as I think so
Because like the birds of prey
I haven't been able to sit still
Or to relax for much of the day!

More so like a hummingbird
Darting here and there
Finding this and that to focus upon
Will I continue this way all year?

Meanwhile there is a deck chair
Actually, two or three
Strategically placed at the water's edge
Where I unleash my creativity!















The chair represents a summons
To enjoy natural solitude
Relief from any encumbrance
A welcome interlude!

The possibility to go deeper
As with nature's energies I connect
The opportunity to engage again
With aspects of Self I want to resurrect

As if to confirm my thinking
The loon calls hauntingly from the bay
Encouraging me to pay attention
Not another moment to delay!

For there is so much to discover
More than meets the eye
The life force energy powerfully felt
When deep within I dive!

















Sunday, June 20, 2010

An Unexpected Meeting

Three days in a row he was there when I arrived
Seemingly with something to say to me
Yet I wasn't sure if I should approach too quickly
Would that cause him to abruptly leave?

The silence was broken soon enough
As he chattered with intensity
He looked this way and that while the winds blew around us
What was he really saying to me?

I admired his attire of blue and black
Dark colours shone in the sunlight
Why had I never seen him there before
Morning, afternoon or night?














I visit this boat launch every day
With a keen awareness of my surroundings
So realized now this visitor was a new one
Why we met three days in a row was confounding!

With some research at home I was to discover
The meaning of the Grackle
As I grasped the significance of the message
My laugh became a cackle!

For the message of this fine bird
Has to do with perspective
Inviting me when embroiled in emotions
To become much more reflective!
Finding ways to relieve "congestion"
So that things could more appropriately flow
Feeling, releasing, opening, expressing
Until the dam of emotion lets go!

Surely this could not be my issue
Would I let things build and erupt unnecessarily?
Grackle seemed to think this was the case
And in the coming days I would more than see!

~ Elaine Pace

Friday, June 18, 2010

Encounters with the Eagles

I stood looking East at the water’s edge
Observing white capped waves in the breeze
When down from his perch in the forest behind me
Swooped an Eagle flying away from the trees.
Surprised was I though I had seen him before
A few weeks ago doing the very same thing
Why wouldn’t I look up and spy him first?
What joy and delight that would bring!

Perhaps he would permit me a photo or two
As he sat stately atop a tree
While contemplating his flight to the nearby island
Accomplished with simple grace and ease.

Just as I decided to be more prepared
When I stand in this place again
A second eagle flew down from his perch nearby
Prepared with a message to send.

A few weeks ago when I stood in this spot
Comfortably at the water’s edge
I held in my hand a carefully written letter
Which I read aloud, atop the floating dock’s ledge.

The letter to my aged mother was recited in this secluded spot
But complete privacy was not mine
For I had a silent witness who did not move
As I uttered words inspired by the Divine.

That day, too, the eagle was there
He had swooped down majestically from the tree
But after circling over the water in the quiet bay
He perched atop a spruce tree regarding me!





As I read out loud my words to my Mother
He steadily looked down at me
Neither moving nor whistling nor changing his focus
He listened until my utterance was complete.

I felt his presence, his powerful energy
I could almost feel him breathe!
As I connected too with the energy of my Mother
While the water lapped gently underneath.

Transported was I, to another realm
Maybe experienced before one’s birth
But on this special day, this unique occasion
I knew I was one with Mother Earth.

For I was saying “Farewell” to my beloved Mother
Living out her last days far away
Knowing she could not have conscious awareness
However her spirit would receive what I had to say.

Now here again I was visited by the Eagle
In this case actually two
Were they here to remind me of my connection with my Mother
Perhaps bringing her response through?

Though they did not linger I knew what I saw
The message meant for me
They soared to the heights as they glided toward Heaven
Saying to be the best I can be.

Invite illumination, release outdated ways
Fly toward the Light
While knowing when to dive beneath the deep dark waters
To feed upon what is just right.

Be guided by instinct, the rhythm of the seasons
Other’s crops I must not sow
For my place is between the sky and the water
Mother Earth provides my home!

With thanks to the Eagle and gratitude to the Creator
I reflected on the message I have known
As part of the earth and able to soar above it
I am in touch with Source of All, the Love of Home.










Thursday, June 17, 2010

New Beginnings with a new Camera!



While recently sharing some ideas with a retreat group, we discussed the importance of "being in the now". I commented that if your present reality is not the "now" you want for yourself, there is always the potential for change. How many decisions in life brought us to where we are now? It takes only one decision to change direction and create a new reality. What if that reality brings us closer to authentic self-expression? Or fulfillment of our life purpose?

My life altering change was to leave my position of 12 years as a mental health and addictions counsellor, in a hospital, and to begin to chart unknown waters! Leaving my position and leaving the structure of an organization - after working in organizations for over 30 years - caused me to take a deep breath, and wonder what would occur next! As I did so, I felt a great sense of freedom and exhilaration! I concluded that if I wanted to see what results I could produce "on my own steam", it was now or never!

As I began the transition into the world of self-direction, and self-employment, I made room for new perspectives, including new ways of viewing myself in the world. Parallel to this was the need for a new camera, to capture my surroundings more clearly. Perfect timing indeed! This "Free Spirit" was about to explore a new path ahead, and wanted to see everything along the way!