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Posts Tagged ‘transformation’

On Being Older

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on October 28, 2023| 1 Comment »

Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico

On October 3, I switched my phone to airplane mode and stowed my books, podcasts, and video games. Armed with a journal and pen, I gave myself permission to fully experience seven days at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, where I attended a Rite of Passage Retreat entitled, “Choosing Conscious Elderhood.”

At 69, I finally felt ready to accept “being older,” and I longed for a deep dive into discovering what that means. During the retreat, I explored inner and outer landscapes. In circles with like-minded participants, I reviewed the details of my life, learning about my gifts, reinterpreting events, and releasing old stories that had outlived their usefulness. I focused on The Harvest, this time of life where I am able to gather the fruits of my experience and share them freely with others. In deep gratitude for all of my teachers, friends, and companions who taught and guided me throughout my life, I discovered my heart’s desire to be of service.

On day 5, each of the 7 attendees spent 11 hours alone in the wilderness, connecting with nature and the Great Mystery. In my memory, it seems I spent the entire day communing with Spirit, walking, talking, writing, playing, and laughing. Maybe that was a taste of Eternity. I lost all sense of time passing, and before I realized it, the rising sun had become the setting sun, and it was time to find my way back to my room.

In that place of solitude, I sensed that everything is in Divine Order, that all is interconnected, and that there is a Unifying Force at work throughout the Universe. I felt VERY small, less than a grain of sand in a remote desert on a tiny planet in a vast solar system that sits inconspicuously among millions of similarly vast solar systems comprising a single galaxy among trillions of galaxies in an ever-expanding Universe.

Who am I? A single life, connected to All That Is. My heart swelled with gratitude, love, and a desire to participate in this incomprehensible Miracle right here on this planet for as long as I live. Then I’ll happily move on to the next great adventure because I am Energy, and Energy cannot be destroyed. It simply transforms again and again and again. Deep in the fiber of my being, I felt the truth of it, the power of it, the love of it. And I still do.

So, don’t be surprised if I miss your call, if I’m slow to answer an email or return a text. Don’t worry; you can still trust that I will tend to the routines of human life. I will also be shifting my priorities. I intend to continue to grow and serve for the rest of my life. I want these final decades to be filled with connection and courage. I want each day to begin with an open heart and an intention to allow love to guide my steps.

I am forever changed by this experience. I am calmer, more peaceful, braver, and happier. My wistful look and hint of a smile are because I have glimpsed the most delicious secret; I believe I have had a tiny peek at the surprises to come, and they are all rooted in love.

And so my Elder Journey begins. (There’s so much more to come!)

For information about future Elderhood retreats, see: https://www.centerforconsciouseldering.com/events/

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What’s wrong with me?

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on July 11, 2021| 5 Comments »

Many, many years ago, early in my pregnancy, I confided to my doctor, “There’s something seriously wrong with me.”

Two years earlier I had quit my job and started my own word processing business. It was growing, and I was devoting a lot of time and energy to its success.

My doctor regarded me with concern and asked me to explain. I blurted out, “I’ve lost my edge! My motivation is gone. I no longer care whether I work long hours or not. What’s wrong with me? I’m just soooo laid back!“

He chuckled quietly and said, “It’s the pregnancy. Your body is flooded with progesterone, the feel-good hormone. No need to worry. You’ll be back to your Type A personality after the baby is born.” And for better or worse, he was right.

Over these past several months, my journal has been filled with similar ruminations. I’ve been wondering what happened to my drive, my stress, my productive angst. A couple weeks ago when I discovered someone had scratched my beautiful Mustang convertible in the parking lot, I thought, “Poor car. Next time I’ll park you farther away from the entrance where there aren’t so many cars.” That was it. No ranting. No rage. No swearing. Later, worried about my calm demeanor, I diagnosed myself as “apathetic. I just didn’t care any more.” I began writing in my journal: “What’s wrong with me?!?”

This morning I remembered my conversation with my OB/GYN. At nearly 67 years old, I know pregnancy is not an option.

Then it hit me: Oh! This is what peace feels like! After 18 months of daily practicing mindfulness meditation, my brain has slowly changed the way it processes events. I have gained an ability to RESPOND to circumstances, rather than simply reacting. Reacting comes from the ego and is all about protection and self-interest. Responding is a higher brain function, aligned with one’s values, integrity, kindness, and interconnectedness with others. In that moment with the car, I was able to bypass the angst and anger and go instantly to where I would have ended up eventually anyway: acceptance of what happened and taking responsibility to park differently in the future.

Instead of being stricken with apathy, I had chosen the peaceful waters of equanimity. It is a state I’ve been seeking for many months and years. I’ve read about it; I’ve thought about it; I’ve prayed about it. My meditation practice has always had a goal of increased equanimity.

Today I’m in awe and a bit amused, too. I achieved what I said I wanted, and then I didn’t recognize it. I instantly thought there was something wrong with me. What an irony!

As I write this, I know equanimity is an elusive state. My ego has had lots of experience reacting to what happens. Mindful awareness is relatively new. I will continue my meditation practice with gratitude and renewed hope.

Today I’m grateful to embrace a more peaceful state of mind, especially now that I realized there’s nothing wrong with me!

If you’d like to explore mindful meditation, I highly recommend the 10% Happier app. It has guided meditations, short educational courses, talks, and sleep meditations that really work! You can check them out here: https://www.tenpercent.com/ or email me, and I’ll send you a free 30-Day Guest pass (no credit card needed to sign up!) And for the record, I’m pretty sure I’m at least 15% happier since I’ve started meditating regularly.

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The One and Only You

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on February 26, 2018| 7 Comments »

Backgrounds

The Beginnings

A couple of days ago I finished a painting that had been hanging around for months. While experimenting with the concept of creating backgrounds, I dripped some pink and yellow paint on wet paper. The values and shapes were interesting, but I didn’t know what to do with them. I became overly involved with the background; I seemed to want it to be the focus of my painting.

This morning, when I stopped at an interesting place (aka “finished the painting”), I began to compare and contrast creative processes: art versus life. I do that a lot. Painting has taught me so much about my own evolution—as an artist, but mostly as a person.

Maybe some people (myself included) can get stuck becoming overly concerned with “making something” of their childhoods, of their backgrounds and origins.

Could it be less grueling to just create something interesting ON TOP OF IT? To make some bold, blue marks and see what happens? What could our lives become if we allowed talents, interests, and inner wisdom to guide the way?

Years later, we gain enough perspective to see the Big Picture; we notice the origins and the backgrounds, but they are not the focus. The focus is now the finished product—the “Work of Art” this life has become.

As we look closely, we can see the pieces, remember the details, even focus on one or two tiny pieces at a time—a success here, a failure there—but the most grace-filled miracle is how, when we step back and see it as a whole, it all fits together perfectly to create a unique life. The One and Only You.

The One and Only You

The Finished Product

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Opening Long-Closed Doors

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , on February 3, 2018| 5 Comments »

English Country House

English Country Home (I took this photo in 1989 when we took our Britain to Great Britain)

I began a 12-week Artist’s Way workshop at the beginning of January. Already my “Inner Artist” is enjoying the attention. I’m painting more and writing more. Below, I have written a bit about my process of awakening to a new level of creativity.

I have been daydreaming a lot lately. It feels like traveling to a country home–one of those thatched-roof beauties in the English countryside that has been closed up for a long, long time. Dusty and dark. Shutters on the windows. Sheets on the furniture.

Slowly, I open the front door. The air smells stagnant and woody, like long unread books and lonely dining room chairs. But then, curtains thrust aside, sunlight awakens the interior. Bright, lively colors emerge from slumber. Each room is a surprise as long forgotten joys emerge: Oh, that rocking chair! My hand mirror! I remember where I found those shells!

Discovered treasures warm my heart and kindle a fire of possibility. The Spirit of Adventure prods me to open more doors, pull up blinds, and allow breezes to pour through the windows. I race to see more, to love more, to dance in delight at the wonder of it all.

Why was it that I closed off this bit of myself? What caused me to think I no longer needed these parts of me? I have been living in three rooms, dependably going through the motions of life, all the while feeling closed in, uninspired, stuck, and bored. There have always been so many rooms. A mansion of rooms. Some forgotten; others, never explored.

I’ve been so afraid of the mistakes, the things that broke my heart and seemed to crush my soul. I thought if only I could curl up here in the corner, I could stay safe. Sorrow would roll over me and onto someone else.

But it has been sorrow’s companion, fear, that took up residence in my heart. Whispering warnings. Shouting horrifying scenarios. Until my energy was gone. It took so much not to listen.

NO MORE! The sun. The fresh air. The ideas. The dreams. They are all so full of energy.

I am remembering so many things I wanted to do “BEFORE.” Before the fear and sorrow began closing the windows, pulling the blinds, locking the doors. Run! Hide! Protect! Armor Up! Close Your Heart!

Too many days of rain and clouds. Winter cold. Dark, dark nights and foggy days. Weeks. Months. Years.

But Spring is here! Seeds planted long ago emerge, to grow, blossom, and flourish. This is my final chapter, my closing act. I have ample time for one more spectacular performance.

And they will say: “She saved her best for last.”

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