My friend Debra has a cool post today about how the words we put to things change our experience. “I can choose to see the promise of rain or see rain threatening.” So true. And Gandhi, as Debra points out, says we need to be the change we want to see in the world. So, if we want peace in the world, then it’s we who must find it within ourselves first. We need to know it’s always there for us. I love that.
I’ve been watching the Ekhart Tolle class with Oprah online when I get a chance. You can call it up at any time—oprah.com. He teaches that our true spiritual essence is peace and joy. It’s great to encounter his energy—it really is deeply peaceful and kind of fun. Catchy too when you encounter it, as I discovered.
The other night I got impatient about some trivial birthday plans—it’s one of those ‘big’ birthdays. I got my knickers in a twist, saw the whole thing as stressful, labeled it in a negative way, then sat down by “chance” to watch some of Eckhart. Almost immediately saw the error of my ways! Would have cottoned on sooner if I’d avoided the twisted knickers, but there you go.
Once my energy changed I saw that I didn’t want to do this big birthday bash at all—I’d rather take a cool trip somewhere. I want to go somewhere I haven’t been before. I’ve decided this birthday will launch a great chapter of this life. They’ve all been rather fabulous, truth be told, even those when rain threatened or even pored. But now the promise of both rain and sunshine seems to open real possibilities. The good thing about getting older for me is I see the world more as I did when I was a child—as a wondrous place to be explored and shared. I think artists need to travel—it sharpens the vision! So now I’m thinking where and how.
Let me reframe this—I’m not ‘getting up there’—I’m on the cusp of a grand new adventure! Yes.
Go Obama!
March 26th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Hi Cathy,
Funny that you’ve written about this…I’m also coming up on one of those “big” birthdays myself very soon, and I’m caught in what to do to celebrate, between what I really want and what’s really possible right now, and just the ick of making a decision about it at all (making decisions - not my strongpoint!). I have downloaded some of the Eckhart mp3s but haven’t listened yet, hmmm, maybe it’s time…
Anyway, I raise a glass to your ‘big’ birthday, whenever it is, and to your grand new adventure!
March 26th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Thanks, Julie! It’s not until June but had to think about it if there was going to be a big bash. Maybe will do a small one but definitely want to go somewhere I haven’t been before!! When is your birthday?
March 26th, 2008 at 10:32 am
mdf, La la la… I’ve already planned my BIG one. It’s going to be a (very) high tea dance in the Union Hotel ballroom, Penzance, end of August 2009. Expect an invite sometime next year but start saving now for the air fare. It’ll be summer rates, unfortunately, so I understand if you choose to send a lovely card instead!!
Haven’t listened to any Eckhart. But I intend to download it all when I can. Thank you for your Easter card. A couple of weeks ago, we had the storm of the decade which lasted 3-4 days and all the lovely Spring things blew away. But the beautiful light of West Cornwall is now as clear as ever and all the little baby animals are jumping about. Serious ongoing orgy amongst the fowls.
Seems I haven’t done any work for ages, which isn’t all together true, but am gearing up to begin again tomorrow when I return from Tresco. I’m stateside (Ohio) last 2 weeks in April and need to complete a deadline before I go.
New updated website coming up. That’s another thing I’ve got to think about. Have fun thinking about the great adventure coming up. I wonder where you’ll go!!
March 26th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
mdf—A tea dance! What a fabulous idea! Will start saving immediately!! Look forward to seeing the new website and am seriously waiting for your blog. F.U.N.
March 26th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Mine’s May 2, coming right up. Going somewhere you haven’t been before sounds lovely. I have a whole list of places I’d like to check out. Ah well, maybe for the next big one! Keep us posted on where you decide and how it is!
March 26th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Happy birthday! Mine is in a couple of weeks. Where will you be in Ohio, Kathy? Kelly and I are in NE Ohio.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Hi Debra, I’m a Cincinnati girl…born and bred. Well, sort of bred. We grew like weeds in a totally bohemmian, dysfunctual old family in the small town of Montgomery (now a thriving village 20 miles north of Cinti). I’m always homesick, missing my family, silverqueen sweetcorn, steamboats on the river overlooking the hills of Kentucky. I’m hoping to buy a condo there with my sister or son for my golden years. I dutifully watch the Simpsons. I’d love to meet you ladies one day. Perhaps we’ll all take the Artwala Road to somewhere and make it happen. Meanwhile it’s cyberspace for us.
Kx
March 27th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Oh, that would be so cool to all meet up. Funny, I’m sometimes homesick too for Montreal. The place you’re from gets in your blood, I think. Anyway, it’ll be great to have you back one day, mdf. It’s so pricey getting to England these days.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Debra, when’s your b-day?
March 28th, 2008 at 12:57 am
April 16—when’s yours?
March 28th, 2008 at 1:02 am
June 13