reflections...

as you may know, i sing in a choir. it's called 'threshold choir' - here is how they describe it...

The all-women Threshold Choirs honor the ancient tradition of singing at the bedsides of people who are struggling: some with living, some with dying. The voice, as the original human instrument, is a true and gracious vehicle for compassion and comfort. The choirs provide opportunities for women to share the sacred gifts of their voices at life's thresholds.

we've been singing together for about a year, learning songs, sharing our voices and preparing for the opportunity to sing at bedside. so far this year has been more about me - filling myself up with these wonderful harmonies sung with such love. learning to trust my voice and sing out. playing with the idea that i can sing and can even find the harmonies myself - sometimes:)

tomorrow, we move on to more learning. an all day workshop about taking the step towards preparing for that call. there was homework assigned via email. the "personal reflection worksheet" exercise came at the right time for me. it's time to be more reflective, look inward, answer some hard and interesting questions about my life and my desires.
some of the questions -

what or who inspires you? what is important in your life right now?
what brings you joy?
what is your source of strength?
what sustains you in difficult times?

and then there are the questions on mortality...
when you die, who or what will you be sad to leave?
if you had one month to live, how would you spend it?
my life has meaning because?

the one i enjoyed answering the most was
"write down some special moments you treasure in your life - would you like to share this with anyone?"

here's my answer but it's only the beginning
(such a nice trip!)
i'm sharing it with you:)

my high school english teacher 'seeing' me as a person and acknowledging that,
sailing for the first time in hawaii and lying on the boat with the dolphins under me,

committing my love to george in our seventh year of togetherness with our friends and family,

laughing so hard i almost pee my pants!
taking my mom to mexico,

family gatherings at my aunt and uncles' - so much singing!

swimming in the ocean in bali and pretty much anywhere else,

singing with my family at my grandma's 90th birthday celebration,

skinny dipping in gabriola,

working with my dad in his workshop (the comfortable silence),

holding g's hand while snorkeling in galapagos,

holding g's hand period!,

lying in bed listening to the birds,

putting on a wetsuit for the first time and feeling alive and free - just before swimming with the sharks!

singing with the threshold choir - the angelic harmonies and loving faces,


there’s so much more!

Signs of Love are Everywhere!...Even in Galapagos

Nature is our best teacher in life.

Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that around every circle another can be drawn; that there is no end in nature, but every end is a beginning, and under every deep a lower deep opens.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love and Hope abound! Here are some hearts I found during our journey through the Galapagos Islands and some other images I thought you might enjoy...
Happy Wednesday to you.
Coming soon...blue-footed boobies!

2010 - 20-zen!

thanks to cynthia for sharing this and several other ideas with me!

i'm determined that 2010 will also be my 20-zen and am prepared to do the work that it requires to bring back balance, creativity and fun to my life.
the past few months have been a struggle. i lost focus, held a LOT of fear and felt like all i wanted to do was hide under the covers. i do believe that sometimes you need to curl up under the covers and take care but for me, it's time to step forward and look at what amazing events and opportunities my future holds.
first order of fun - my new year's resolution/commitment - sing as much as possible!
i had the privilege of singing in the new year with the local hospice group on the most beautiful, wind-swept, stormy beach - honoring the memory of friends/family who have passed on with words and song. our threshold choir met to support this group with the songs we have learned and it was a beautiful experience. it was followed up in the evening by our regular, bi-monthly choir meeting last night. pure magic - so moving and healing and powerful! the force and harmony created in that room has to have an impact on the world.
i had also heard about another group that meets here on the coast regularly in a singing circle while raising funds for an african village. i met the organizer of that group last night and she invited me to attend their next gathering. my heart has been yearning for more music and also for a place to give back. i can't wait to learn more about this project and to be a part of it!
so...2010/20zen will be a year filled with music, giving back, accessing my creativity and always taking the next step forward! and that is very exciting!!!
i bid a fond farewell to 2009 and am thankful for the gifts it brought me including travel, beautiful friends, supportive family, a wonderful new home and community, flowers in my garden, beach walks/swims/rock-gathering expeditions, music, a business that supports me and reflects my goals of celebrating all women and, of course, as always, the love of my life, my george (now in our 20th year together)!
i wish you all a happy new year!