Late-winter and early-spring held on for ions. Spring morphed into summer at a snail’s pace. Warm days became a tease. Many neighbours waited until mid-June, instead of the May long-weekend, to plant outside gardens. A frosty chill hung in the morning air like a salt and pepper beard.

June, my birth month, came and went. I’m marvelling that life keeps expanding. I feel comfortable in my own skin no matter where I am. It’s a great feeling! My nervous system is at ease. In part, I’m wising up more each year, I think. But, largely it’s from my daily practices.

I do love the spontaneous side of life; one that’s full of choices and minimum responsibilities probably because my early-life experiences consisted of no choices and lots of responsibilities. Adulting as a youngster took a toll. Now, as an older adult, I am reliving some of my youth; nothing gritty or self-abusive, like it was then, but rather heart-felt passions.

One thing I noticed is that my love of the “wilderness”, so to speak, is nourished by discipline. My freedom and creativity seems contingent upon my ability to be disciplined in my practises. When I’m undisciplined I don’t feel much joy. We all have a rhythm and what I’m getting at, is that it’s important to find your own rhythm. I guess you could say, I’m a joy-seeker. Having risen up from decades of depression, I’m now experiencing joy in large pockets and in long gentle waves. The more disciplined I am, with a few simple rituals, the greater my ability to experience freedom. In other words, joy.

I, deeply, honour those who are walking ahead of me and beside me; those companions on this less-travelled road. Those people are the bringers of light along my own path. You know who you are. Many have the words to describe these subtle ways of Being and I’m soaking up their vocabulary like hot pavement vaporizing water. The joy is in the journey.

So…let’s get to the disciplines that work for me. First of all, I get enough sleep; 8 hours minimum. No task is more important than my sleep. If I don’t get my rest, I feel hung-over and then I’m dragging myself through my day tripping over every small obstacle that comes along. When I’m well-rested, everything flows. Little to no bruising. As a result, my connections with people are easy.

I say prayers for myself and special prayers for others each morning before I leave the house. That anchors me to my Creator and to myself. And this ritual opens my heart to my friends and my family.

I have a habit of cleaning up the messes I may make, as quickly as possible, throughout the day. The “yucky” baggage gets cleared before my next exchange or adventure. My body tells me when this is needed.

Lastly, I meditate each night for 20 minutes before turning off the lights. These days, I’m listening to 174 Hertz music. It’s supposed to relieve physical pain. It rivets me, yet again, to my body. And it helps clear my thoughts of the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK9PMr71ty4

We had record breaking rain this summer. So much that AB’s wildfires have been minimal which was a mighty fine consequence. We’ve had some hot days but not many. My summer dresses never left the closet. This season has been full of barbecues and visits with others. We’re getting our place ready for a relative who will be staying with us, soon.

We have a few more get-togethers with friends rolling into September; and a couple of road-trips with our over-seas house-guest to go see the Rocky Mountains, of course. It’s been a long-time since I was in the Rockies myself. This “visit” and our travels will be a bunch of little adventures culminating into one big one for everyone involved. Lots of firsts. I’m looking forward this and to the teachings that will surely come.

Here’s hoping you had a lovely summer (or winter~depending on where you live) and are preparing yourself for the next season.

All the best, in all ways!

~Barbara