What If?
From Brainstorms (with a new addition)
What if
the only thing
that mattered right now
was being here
together?
What if
my job now
is to slow down
and savor the sound
of a rainy
day?
My mind has been scattered. I feel pulled in so many directions – books piled by my bedside, stacks of writing to edit, messages to respond to, groceries to alchemize into meals, and this blog post to write.
I set an intention at the beginning of the year to post once a month on the new moon. Here is it, the eve of the new moon. I have a juicy, metaphorical story I want to tell. I just haven’t had the chance to put it down in a meaningful way. And today doesn’t feel like the day to do it. I’m learning to be okay with that.
Last week I heard someone say, “Stay present and come back to your base.” Though the context was different, those words have played over and over in my head like a mantra.
“Stay present and come back to your base.”
The world feels a little frenzied right now, both in the day-to-day and the global system. Sometimes it’s easy for me to get caught up in the momentum what's swirling around me. Today I stopped to remember what’s real for me, and what makes me feel grounded in the midst of a storm.
For me it’s quiet time for daydreaming, slowing down when I can, unscheduling myself, stretchy clothes, coffee with heavy whipping cream, and snuggle time with my family. It’s a long, lingering meal with the friend who knows what I'm thinking before I say it. It’s sitting at the edge of the water, closing my eyes, and feeling the breath move through my body. It’s remembering the value of the simplicity in a complex world.
Slowing down and connecting with the present, with my base, with the people, practices, and things that nourish my body and soul almost always creates space for me to see and feel from an expanded perspective. Then, I can move forward with clarity and intention.
Mark your calendars, for Austin, TX on November 12! I will be sharing poetry and song at Emo’s as part of a RAW Artist Showcase. More details on timing and tickets to come in the next few weeks.