Authenticity

Occasionally, I free write to "get it all out there." This may not be the most well-written post but it's genuine:

Authentic. The word reverberates, crashes into my shielded existence, this story that I portray as me. Authenticity sets you apart from the masked ones and yet transforms you into a reflection of what they all seem to know is their very self.

Authenticity is scary; it's sometimes painful. Open me up, make me a the still stream reflecting tree tops and sky. Break me apart, and let the pain and suffering, joy and passion pour out in puddles around our feet until someone whispers a knowing, 'yes.' Write what you know, brave soul.Explore your inner-world and draw it out into words. Coax it from hiding and fear into the glaring sun. Writers cannot be fearful creatures. We must learn to separate our true selves from the storyline so we can expose depths without trepidation.

The real truth is in the transformative possibilities of those experiences, how they change us and those around us, how they make us grow or fall. The story ebbs, only feeling endures...what surrounds us, overwhelms us, creates us. We are left standing, one outstretched arm in grasping, another withdrawn, door ajar, insides gapingly exposed. Finally, there is no difference in craving or aversion, only love remains, thrusting us forward into the arms of Other, into heart of Same.

Art
Creativity
Spirit
Love
Water
Compassion
Laughter
Trees
Silence
Pain
Thank you
Stillness
Breath
Joy
Path
Yes.

Words: Inspiration

Just the sound of the word alone stirs up an elusive excitement and longing all at once. The past 6-months for me have been so wrapped up in this idea, gasping for that breath...to be inspired. The irony is wading through a deluge and complaining of thirst. Inspiration is found not in searching but in waking up.

17 Inspiring Words

At the beginning of the month I wrote a list of 17 words. My hope was to visit these words in the month of November during my Nablomopo month of posts. It would not be surprising if all of these words, being regulars to my vocabulary, have showed up in the past 20 days, but making an intention to write posts inspired by each word seems like a fabulous idea!

If you haven't visited My Woods in a while, make sure to go read why I'm thankful for my recent post deficit in the Nablomopo 30 posts in 30 days challenge. Then come back and check up on the word posts...hmmn....word posts. That is a great topic idea for a word-lovers and artist-type people.

Soul Dusting

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

~Berthold Auerbach

My guitar sits dusty on a stand in the corner most of the time. Years ago, I used to play it everyday. Nothing moves or soothes the soul like music.

Last night I happened to be reading with my little girls, weary from a long, emotional day, when I noticed my guitar in the corner. I was feeling a need all day...a need for something. That was it. So, the girls and I made some music, "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice."

Brushing the dust off that instrument was like a soul dusting.

That's the good stuff.

Defining Moments

There came a moment in the middle of the song
when he suddenly felt every heartbeat in the room
& after that he never forgot
he was part of something much bigger.
~Brian Andreas, Trusting Soul

Have you ever had a defining moment...one that effected you so deeply that your whole perspective and way of experiencing the world was turned upside down?

I'm thinking about this question today.

The Story People

Just for fun, go check out artist Brian Andreas and the Story People. Make sure you browse through the stories under StoryLand on the right. They will make you smile.
Then try creating something yourself. It doesn't have to be long or deep or award winning, just authentic and fun. I love this! I'll post mine soon :)

The List

Gratitude is a habit that takes practice. It's one that can transform your life. The happiest and most content people in the world are the ones who have learned to make gratitude a state of being.Since I've been very interested in emotions lately, I'm going to take the time to sit with the question, "What are you thankful for?" and make a list based on what I feel thankful for through my day and at this moment. Why? Because gratitude is a way to experience life every moment, a practice in wakefulness.

Today's List:
1. hot tea
2. the people a hot cup of tea brings to mind
3. poetry written by my daughter
4. my vacuum
5. an afternoon nap
6. listening to my children laugh together at Calvin and Hobbes
7. music
8. 66 degrees and sunny
9. my front porch
10. kindred spirits who cheer and inspire
11. painful impasses in life that refine us
12. my children
13. the honor of motherhood
14. this laptop
15. the man who gave it to me and encouraged me to write.

The Thankful List

Here's the idea I'm pondering today: Thankfulness. Go read this and join me if you like. Then, come back and share with me. I'll share my list with you tomorrow.

love, love, love...