Naked Vulnerability

Come read my latest article called
Naked Vulnerabilityin Cosmic Cowgirls Magazine.

I sat in the creek, sweet water gurgling and caressing my naked body.  I gazed at the greenery, the light reflecting off the water, and felt the very chilly water pour over my thighs, while the gentle breath of warm air on my face and shoulders offered a stark contrast.  Under the canopy of tall trees and dappled sunlight it was easy to feel small, but in a good way, in the way you feel awe struck and full of wonder about the breathtaking beauty of our planet.  Nature often has that effect on me, but to experience being completely naked and so remarkably peaceful as I listened to the natural sounds of birds and the water, was spiritually soothing and uplifting. Harmonizing with the rustling of leaves and the babbling water flowed the spoken word of a sacred water dedication,

“Water Spirits know this child as your sister…
Give her the ability to flow in life’s stream…
Great Spirit, this child is of the people…
guide her to always walk in beauty.”

Come read the entire article over at Cosmic Cowgirls Magazine.

Dos Aguas photo by Michelle Fairchild

Mojo Monday ~ The Summer Day

"Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

The summer solstice took place this weekend and the above reading of the poem The Summer Day by Mary Oliver seemed so fitting for this weeks Mojo Monday.  Ahhh summer.  It may not be just like it was when we were children and had summers off from school.  Except for the school teachers out there, most of us work through the summer, taking vacations here and there.  Maybe we go tent camping or travel to lakes, oceans and rivers and stay in cabins or resorts.

Did you celebrate the Summer Solstice?  Did you do happen to do anything special that day?  

My first day of summer was partially spent at nearby Whiskeytown Lake, a favorite place to relax, swim and play with the family and friends.

Brandy Creek beach at Whiskeytown Lake

In the early evening we headed over to partake of some of the Sundial Bridges' 10th Anniversary celebration.  On the solstice there was a flash mob dance to the song Happy right on the bridge at 6:45 pm.  That was then followed a couple of hours later by an astounding performance by Bandaloop on the Sundial Bridge.  They performed their aerial dances to the accompaniment of a local orchestra.  

Last night watching these amazing athletic sky dancers perform, while local musicians played skillfully I felt in awe, of not only where I get to live, but the ingenuity and creativity of us humans. It was a perfect evening and I felt inspired and happy that it is summer.  While I don't get the summer off, there will be regular lake trips, outdoor water aerobics at the local aquatic center, growing veggies in our garden, the wedding of a dear friend, a trip to Ashland with my hubby to see a play and a family camp trip to the coast.  I find myself wanting to soak up all the goodness around me and simply marinate in it.

What summertime happenings bring you happiness? Do you have any special summer plans?

Here are a few videos from the Bandaloop performance.  I wanted to share as it truly was a beautiful thing to witness.

Here is a video showing the first performance by three Bandaloop dancers. This video captured the whole performance.

This next video is the second performance with four Bandaloop dancers who dropped from the top of the dial.  This video capture a portion of the performance.

 

This final video was the grand finale featuring the woman in white and the dramatic long white scarf that floated and danced against the darkened sky so very beautifully.

Wishes for a summer of love.

In closing, consider this 
rephrased question taken from Mary Oliver:

Tell me what is it you plan to do 
with your one wild and precious summer?

 

Visionary Dreaming

Crystal Charlotte Easton is a Metis Artist born and raised 
in Fort St James BC, in Carrier Territory-Northern BC (Canada) 
and she is currently living & raising her family (6 children) 
on a farm on Vancouver Island.

She has the opportunity to attend a month long course in Italy 
in July at the Vienna Academy of Visionary Art.

She is very close to achieving her fundraising goal
and has 11 days remaining.
Charlotte is offering beautiful gifts in return for 
every single donation.

Come visit her fundraising site by clicking here.

Crystal painting

We All Have A Role to Play by Crystal Charlotte Easton

Mojo Monday ~ A Blessing for One Who Is Exhausted

A Blessing For One Who Is Exhausted

--by John O'Donohue, syndicated from awakin.org, Jun 02, 2014

When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,
Time takes on the strain until it breaks;
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight,

The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before
Now become laborsome events of will.

Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.

The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground.
Something within you has closed down;
And you cannot push yourself back to life.

You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drove you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self
You have forsaken for the race of days.

At first your thinking will darken
And sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.

You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.

Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.

Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.

Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart
And the joy that dwells far within slow time.

Have you ever felt completely exhausted?

Was it a phase or a short lived experience?

Did something in particular spark the exhaustion?

Did you wade through it until the feeling passed
or did you take concerted steps to regain your vitality?

When times of malaise come to pass do you sit with it
or takes steps to transform the feelings?