Speaking of Spirit

When I teach poetry, I tell my students that poetry is "painting with words." However, I also believe that a "picture can be worth a thousand words." As a photographer and writer, I have often combined my photos with the words of others as well as my own. Here, today, are a taste of what that looks like.

  We all need time off. Working 24/7 is a sure way to kill relationships, careers and ourselves. This past weekend, I took time off to be with family for the first time in two years. We camped in beautiful Wolfe's Neck, Freeport, ME. Sitting and watching the sunset on the water was more healing to my tired soul than all the therapy and medicine in the world.  Take time off. Go to Nature. Let Nature nourish your mind, body and soul. Blessings!

This past week, our family increase by one beautiful little girl. Unlike when her sister and cousins were born, there was no family around, except her Mom and Dad, of course, to greet her when she entered this world. This didn't seem to bother her at all. She simply got to the tasks at hand, nursing and napping and doing what babies do in the first hours of life. Pictures of our Madeleine crossed cyberspace at record speeds; all of us oohing and aahing at how much she looks like her Mom and how much hair she has. Prayers of thanksgiving rose from various corners - for our new child as well as her safe and simple delivery. Madeleine and Mommy are both at home, now. I plan on going to see them in a few weeks. In the meantime, the birth of grandchild #12 has me contemplating children as a whole. Childhood today is so different from what I experienced over 60 years ago. Today, in a world still battling a virus that has take so many lives, childhood is wrapped in precautions, fear, and ...

  I am delighted today to have as a guest blogger, Michele Sammons . Michele is an inspirational author, spiritual teacher, and highly-attuned guide who works with clients worldwide helping them transform their lives through divine guidance. As an empath and intuitive, Michele’s light-hearted, joyful approach embraces her clients right where they are on their spiritual path and gently guides them to personal clarity and understanding. Michele is passionate about working with Spirit to uplift others while spreading love and joy along the way. Michele's book, " The Little Book of Big Knowing ," was a delight to read. Made up of short yet meaningful meditations, I found that many resonated with what I believe and understand about Spirit, Life, Death and all that exists in between. I highly recommend this book! Without further ado, let us delve into the thoughts that Michele shares so graciously with us today.  You are the Shining Star of Your Own Play   “All the world’s a st...

Once again, waves of hate and fear have hit upon the shores of our country. Once again, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, family and friends are doused with the waters of despair.   We hear people calling from prayer. We hear people calling for justice. Yet, nothing seems to change.  Today, as I listened to our pastor speak of being filled with peace, I wondered just how I, as a woman of pale color, could be filled with peace when my family - blood-related as well as "adopted" - of dark color struggle daily with the knowledge that their children, their spouse, or they themselves may be killed simply for being dark-skinned.   I will be honest.  I am horrified that we as a nation built on "Christian" morals - Thou shalt not kill! - still allow ourselves to find ways to condone the possession of weapons of war.  Let me make this clear - I am not talking about hunting weapons.  Many families still hunt for their food and that should be allowe...

  We are almost mid-April and the sun is warming the earth, springing forth green shoots and bursting with resplendent color. Sitting in the garden the other day, I began to wonder why it was that I longed for the ocean. Perhaps, living three blocks from the beach as a child has something to do with it, or maybe it is that many of the books I enjoy center of being near the sea. No matter the reason, I truly long to walk in the sand, feel the salty breeze kiss my cheeks and dive into the icy cold sea off Maine's coast. The quote above by Sandy Gingras is so true. When I am "at the beach," time has no need for watches. We know the time based on the location of the sun overhead and the distance between the incoming or outgoing tides. We linger, commune, hold rituals and offer words of praise and thanks.  Being at the ocean, for me, is church. I find great healing walking the shore, talking to the Divine. Each time I swim, I am baptized in the knowledge that life can slow do...

  With the  passing of March 20, the Northern Hemisphere melts, quite literally, into the spring season. From what once was frozen and dead, "springs" forth with life. Waters that were frozen run full tilt to the sea. Fields that were black with death, resurrect in shades of green. Skeletal trees and bushes suddenly burgeon with green buds.  The spring observances, rites, and rituals around the world all celebrate this return from the brink of darkness and death to new life. The Vernal Equinox, or First Day of Spring, was for our ancient ancestors a time when the gods and goddesses of fertility and rebirth brought the world back to life.  Many know of Eostre or Ostara, the goddess of spring and of Brigid, Celtic goddess of Fire, Hearth and Home, but few know, unless you happen to come from these parts of the world, of the Slavic god, Jarylo  or Eiar, the goddess of spring from the four seasons' horae of ancient Greece.  Regardless, even those who have no c...