Four-footed and Winged Neighbors

This afternoon I laid down on a warm slab of rock at the bottom of this picture. What a wonderful feeling it was having the warm afternoon sun on my legs and belly, a huge, warm rock on my back, and a cool mountain breeze bringing a perfect balance. I was listening to the cry of a bird of prey in the valley and enjoying the sound of the wind when, a few minutes later, a hummingbird came and lit on a leafless tree a few yards from me. We both looked at each other for about 10 seconds then s/he zoomed over my stomach. I liked that it wasn't afraid to fly towards me.

Five to ten minutes later, some kind of chipmunk(?) jumped onto a rock below me. It was brown with black and white stripes running down its head and back. It had white stripes lining its eyes and was about 5 inches long with a long tail in the air. It then jumped onto a rock closer to have a better look. I was glad it was not afraid either. It then went away, only to appear about 10 minutes later and perched itself on a rock. It made a chuckling noise and I clicked my tongue. She cocked her head. We then had a mysterious conversation. "Chuckle, chuckle", "Click.", "Chuckle.", "Click,click." "Chuckle", "Click". She couldn't stay too long and disappeared I think to take care of some chipmunk business.

My next visitor (actually I guess I was the visitor) was a 3-4 inch lizard who spotted me from a rock well below and to my surprise, started climbing the rocks to get within a few feet of me. While looking at me sideways with one eye, he pumped his chest a few times like he was doing pushups. I looked at him. After a few minutes of him looking at me sideways, I put my foot down on the rock less than a foot way (to see if he might want to come closer) and he did not move, but instead of looking at my foot, turned his head and looked at me square in the eyes. So interesting, that he knew our eyes were the point of communication between us and not my foot. I was glad that he trusted me and was not afraid even when I put my foot close to him. Anyway, we both lay on our respective rocks, enjoying the sun and looking at each other from time to time. It appears lizards are a bit more relaxed than chipmunks, but I think chipmunks would enjoy a good adventure. It was nice spending some time with my four-footed and winged neighbors today. Loving this place. :)

One with Source is Enough

While having Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), this past week I read a passage that helped me as I have tried to tell others what I do. Trying to find consistent energy, a solution to ME/CFS, and improving my health doesn't always feel like an adequate/satisfying answer. I thought this might also help others struggling with wanting to be or have more at times, in whatever area that may be.

   "Give up defining yourself - to yourself or to others. You won't die. You will come to life. And don't be concerned with how others define you. When they define you, they are limiting themselves, so it's their problem. Whenever you interact with people, don't be there primarily as a function or a role, but as a field of conscious Presence.
   Why does the ego play roles? Because of one unexamined assumption, one fundamental error, one unconscious thought. That thought is: I am not enough. Other unconscious thoughts follow: I need to play a role in order to get what I need to be fully myself; I need to get more so that I can be more. But you cannot be more than you are because underneath your physical and psychological form, you are one with Life itself, one with Being. In form, you are and will always be inferior to some, superior to others. In essence, you are neither inferior nor superior to anyone. True self-esteem and true humility arise out of that realization."  --- from A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle p.109

Yes. I am one with God/Being/The Source of Life itself. I didn't choose to be where I am, but this is where I am. I didn't do anything wrong, this is just where God (the name I personally give to this Source of Life) has me. I've tried to get better, and after 6.5 years, I'm still trying. It could change, God could heal me in an instant, but that hasn't happened. It is all ok. I don't need to make a million dollars, or whatever amount, or be the hero to be enough. I am one with God, God loves me, and that is enough.

God, do with me what you will. Teach me what you will. Thank you for this life!

Holy Wind Blow

The holy wind brings memories
  of those I've known.
I give to it my prayers
  and send it to return 
to give to those of my past
 and bless their days
with a smile and a laugh.

Earthing

Two people this year have told me about this, one right after I saw the book the same day, so I decided to buy it. Some of the audio is online. I have to admit putting my barefeet on the ground often makes me feel better. :)
http://www.earthinginstitute.net/index.php/book

Audio to the book:
http://www.earthing.com/earthing-book-audio-preview.php

Dedicated to Scottie Ashley, his family, and all those who have supported him...

The 1992 Olympics in Barcelona

Almost 20 years later, few remember who won this race, but many remember Derek Redmond and his Father. Who knows what trials we have will inspire others in life...

Prayers

Prayers and thoughts going out for a dear family in Australia ...

Win The Moment

I've seen parts of this poem in two different places in the past two days and want to share it:

Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann c.1920
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I was back at Whole Foods this week and tried to memorize the quote from Eckhart Tolle that I saw there recently. Here it is to the best of my memory:

"When you are in the Now, your attention fully in the present moment, that presence will flow into and transform all that you do." -Eckhart Tolle

I have been trying to do this lately, to not live in the future or the past, but to live in this day, this moment, for I only have it to live once. Focusing on keeping a continuous breath without pause (as I read about in The Presence Process) helps me do this at times, as well as my mantra of late:
breathing in:   "Win..."
breathing out: "the Moment..."
:)