: Sursis d’été…

 

Men say the world is full of fear and hate,

 And all life’s ripening harvest-fields await

 The restless sickle of relentless fate.

 

But I, sweet Soul, rejoice that I was born,

When from the climbing terraces of corn

I watch the golden orioles of Thy morn.

 

What care I for the world’s desire and pride,

Who know the silver wings that gleam and glide,

The homing pigeons of Thine eventide?

 

What care I for the world’s loud weariness,

Who dream in twilight granaries

Thou dost bless

With delicate sheaves of mellow silences?

 

Say, shall I heed dull presages of doom,

Or dread the rumoured loneliness and gloom,

The mute and mythic terror of the tomb?

 

For my glad heart is drunk and drenched with Thee,

O inmost wind of living ecstasy!

O intimate essence of eternity!

-Sarojini Naidu
 

~~ Summer is in full-swing and we are finally escaping for a long overdue respite. Destined long nights, mythical and ancient sites… meditating on cliffs, dusting off the lens and capturing images that provoke and provide aesthetic sustenance. Lingering and contemplative hikes up temple steps that have been etched by devotees feet countless times before– who are we but humble and gracious guests- not the arrogant and time-constrained forceful tourist.

Foraging in sacred forests with gamelons playing in the distance, and dancing deities battling the age-old epic between black&white-good&evil ending with the balance of Life, once again, restored. Then taking what was digested of the day to a lamp lit night to write, write, write. Littering my splattered journal with poetic meanderings that have waited, sometimes it seems far too long, for a time such as this.

Life has certainly been blessed and full of positive changes lately! Our daughter has courageously turned the tables on Anorexia within the past couple of months, and is enjoying a summer filled without “fear“, vibrant, healthy and triumphant in this very moment– we are so extremely proud of her!

Thank you so very much to all of you who are a constant source of human wisdom, compassion and many who have also lent a comforting shoulder to lean on. Along with the ever gracious comrades who work with me tirelessly towards creating our monthly “healing&creative space”– which will return once again late this fall; I really don’t have enough words to do justice in this meager post to give adequate appreciation.

I am deeply grateful for the small patch of ground we continually attempt to uncover to help support those with eating disorders and their families, partners and loved ones. I hope to continue to dig a deeper and wider-reaching network that will eventually have an even greater substantial and purposeful base of resources, along with caring, intelligent and genuine individuals to be of greater service for those who continue to suffer. Patience, time and perserverance– many of us know all too well the meaning of those words, but they truly do remain at the forefront of what long-term recovery entails well after weight-nutritional restoration has been established.

As always, many additional thanks to those who continue to be of support, who listen, read the blog and email, and have allowed me this welcoming space to share our family’s Journey to Recovery– much deep love.

 Wishing everyone a relaxing, peaceful and enjoyable summer! See all of you when the leaves begin to crinkle and the crispness of fall begins to fill the air.~~

: Chère fille de joyeux anniversaire ! :

We know you always deal with your illness with such courage,

but we still wanted to send you a few hugs,

along with rays of sunshine, big smiles,

and a whole roomful of good thoughts!

So think of these words as a beautiful sunset all your own

and the sound of the ocean gently washing the shore…

Let our thoughts wrap you up in warmth and peace

and sit at your side.

So as you imagine yourself in the midst of these things,

remember how many people care about you and are

wishing you comfort and Love.

-Mary Miro

 *Lots&Lots of LOVE to You Today and Everyday! — Mom*Dad*Sis*

 

 

Mai Bienvenu!

 

The world’s favorite season is the spring.

All things seem possible in May.

-Edwin Way Teale

__________________

Is it really May, already?

Life has been good… definitely busy, but equally good!

The frenzy of prepping for gallery openings along with late nights doing my own work at the studio, holding support groups combined with some Yoga&Massage on the side has been quite the balancing act to say the least.

The end of the school year countdown has begun by our daughter, who has been finding recovery balances, challenges, and triumphs, mingled in with the excitement and plans for what she’ll be wearing and planning for graduation along with pre-summer preparations– Life is good!

And daily I try to make time to reflect on how grateful and blessed I am for my family, dear friends and acquaintances on this journey of Life- merci!

: Holi Mubaarak! :

Anil Kapoor in his heyday before Slumdog…

 

होली मुबारक

Pichkari ki dhar, gular ki bauchar,apno ka pyar, yahi hai HOLI ka tyohar.

*Wishing you and your family A Very Happy and Colourful HOLI*

An Aries I R-Am

With record snow falls today it was a just the kind of day to round up some friends and available family members to go snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, or if neither were available, a well boot-up hike- though you hustled a bit faster to keep up.

Usually the skiing kicks in later this month, right around Christmas break and throughout the rest of the winter, whenever good snow and tracks are easy to find or make. And living in a metro-urban city hasn’t stopped this faved activity in the least, although we are fortunate to have patches of wooded areas and a major lake providing a spectacular view in any season. I think we were all captured by Winter Solstice awe, and yet conscious of a special someone who is still not with us- yet.

Gathering at the last minute, though for some was not possible with the drive, was one of those quirky “T” (moi) -things I end up being happy I did. Making vegetarian chili with eggplant subji (the eggplant… ahem, was leftovers, but no one complained) and the chili-cheese cornbread finished with barely a crumb left in the pans.

And though the dishes have been cleared, the last to linger have left safely, I’m not quite too tired as I type this.

I’m intentionally and slowly appreciating this past evening, and find an email with the day’s horoscope, equally perfect to tie into the meaning of the past day for me from a dear friend who is also, like myself, an Aries:

Feeling Earnest -
You may already be feeling your brows furrowing today as you notice your serious attitude. Because you may be looking at life from a weighty perspective, you could be feeling earnest. Life can indeed be worthy of solemn appraisal at times, and allowing ourselves to interpret situations from this standpoint may give us valuable insight to draw upon in future days when we are feeling lighter. As we follow our intuitive guidance, we will naturally shift from this mood when the time is right, so we mustn’t feel guilty about losing the edge of intensity whatever the circumstances seem to dictate. As you seek to honor your inner guidance and seek balance in your life, today gives you the opportunity to experience a perspective of depth that may serve you well in the future. Though our goal in life may be happiness, we can have times of serious contemplation of weighty subjects without it meaning that we are off the path. Life requires balance and sometimes that involves experiencing darkness in order to understand and appreciate the light. Without the contrast, life can lose its meaning. It is perhaps an unfortunate aspect of the nature of the material world and its dualities. So today don’t fight the sober mood, but instead learn all you can from it in order to allow it to infuse your happier times with a new depth of meaning and your life with a greater understanding of balance.

_______________________

In Due Time –

Today you may feel impatient with yourself and frustrated by a number of challenges in your life. Your responsibilities may require more attention than you have to give, and you could become overwhelmed by new opportunities that are presenting themselves. Sitting down and developing a plan could help you become organized and assuage some of your frustration. Prioritizing your tasks today can also make your life more manageable. It’s also important to be patient with yourself, as we all need to time adjust to new workloads. Being compassionate with yourself could help this period of transition go smoothly. You also can accomplish more tasks when you work methodically and are relaxed. Careful planning allows us to establish how and when we will face our obligations. By mapping out the items that need our attention, we give ourselves the benefit of seeing the whole picture. We are then able to figure out how to best direct our resources. When we have a plan to work with, we can relax because we know that everything will get accomplished in due time. We also are able to focus and do a good job because we don’t have to hurry or try to get several tasks done at once. Determine when and how you will attend to your obligations today, and you will be relaxed, confident, and able to meet each one.

-shanti

Lataji for Thanksgiving-

 

When I think of the most beautiful voice, there is no comparison to the sound of Lata Mangeshkar. This lyric brings me to tears and yet I find great comfort in both the sounds and words.

-A very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

वैष्णव जन तो (Vaishnav Jan to ): वैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये जेपीड़ परायी जाणे रेपर दुख्खे उपकार करे तोयेमन अभिमान ना आणे रेवैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये जे …सकळ लोक मान सहुने वंदेनींदा न करे केनी रेवाच काछ मन निश्चळ राखेधन धन जननी तेनी रेवैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये जे …सम दृष्टी ने तृष्णा त्यागीपर स्त्री जेने मात रेजिह्वा थकी असत्य ना बोलेपर धन नव झाली हाथ रेवैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये जे …मोह माया व्यापे नही जेनेद्रिढ़ वैराग्य जेना मन मान रेराम नाम सुन ताळी लागीसकळ तिरथ तेना तन मान रेवैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये जे …वण लोभी ने कपट- रहित छेकाम क्रोध निवार्या रेभणे नरसैय्यो तेनुन दर्शन कर्ताकुळ एकोतेर तारया रेवैष्णव जन तो तेने कहिये जे

Hindi- :Vaishnav Jan to tene kahiye Jay peerh paraaye janneyray Par dukkhey upkar karey teeyey, man abhiman na anney ray Sakal lokma Sahuney bandhey, Ninda Na karye kainee ray Baach kaachh, Man nischal Raakhey, dhan-dhan jananee tainee ray Samdrishi nay trishna tyagee, par-stree jaynay mat ray Vivihva thaki asatya na bolay, par-dhan nav jhaley haath ray Moh maaya vyaayey nahin Jeynay, dridth vairagya jana manma rayRam-nam-shoom taalee laagee, Sakal teerth seyna tanma ray Vanloohee nay kapat rahit chhay, Kaam, Krodh nivarya ray Bhane Narsinhyo tainoo darshan karta kul ekotair taarya re:

English- :Speak only as godlike of the man who feels another’s pain Who shares another’s sorrow and pride does disdain Who regards himself lowliest of the low Speaks not a word of evil against anyone Blessed is the mother who gave birth to such a son Who looks upon everyone as his equal, Lust he has renounced Who honors women like he honors his mother Whose tongue knows not the taste of falsehood Nor covets another’s worldly goods Who longs not for worldly wealth (or fame)For he treads the path of renunciationEver on his lips is Ram’s holy name All places of pilgrimage are within him He has conquered greed, is free of deceit, lust and anger Through him Narsinh has godly vision And his generation to come will attain salvation:

Grizzly Bears…

       … and how I feel about eating disorders, about the current state of our economy, the political scrapping and other such quibbles. Maybe it’s the post Harvest Moon which resembled the bounty and beauty of a big, bright pumpkin in all it’s glory bringing Ursa Major back down for Autumn hibernation and seasonal change. My ancestral forefather’s and mother’s deeply rooted with Finnic-myths describing the endeared ‘Kontio‘ – “dweller of the land”; such ancient stories recalling and reconnecting with one another.

 

*

*

Right now,

what she said,

what

I

said

is the size of a grizzly,

nine feet

tall

with stiletto claws swiping

at

my innards.

*

But

if

I

can

just inhale

and

back

slowly away,

time,

like a sailboat,

is waiting for tomorrow’s

wind

to sweep me

safely from this shore,

where

I

can stand on the deck,

day by day,

watching that grizzly shrink

smaller

and

smaller until it’s only

a

mouse,

easily

chased away.

 

*

*

Jacqueline Jules - The Argument

 

… Juoksahkka, Maadteraahka I think of you!

: Bonne Fete des Meres :

 

All Women in this World are forms of the Goddess

 -Devi Mahatmya 11.6

Wishes for a Very Happy Mother’s Day!

: Tending and Befriending-Let the Cup Overflow :

 

It’s a day filled with LOVE- 

Voltaire wrote:  Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination which is such an eloquent phrase, and so affecting to me having a daughter who is courageously challenging her anorexia- and winning back (embroidering)  her true self each day.  

Those of us with a child, family member, and/or friend who are suffering with an eating disorder know we have to be both Head & Heart for our loved ones;  it’s a duality that few seem to have the discernment and wisdom to forewarn us about on this journey to wholeness and health.   Most in the medical community still keep us at arms-length when it comes to offering up the most humane, balanced and adequately researched strategies to implement within supporting our loved ones that emphasize such an expanded “imagination” or creativity that not only empowers the sufferer, but works towards healing the entire family/support network of the sufferer- metaphorically this would require the most sophisticated embroidery needle and elevated imagination that can stitch a warm, comforting Love quilt for anyone to find shelter, solace, comfort and wisdom (and most likely made with fleece).

I also think it’s imperative, absolutely crucial to Love thyself unconditionally, and that dear friends, includes the parents, the extended family members, friends, etc.- your entire collective clan, blood-linked and other surrogate compassionate souls- Tending & Befriending- embracing life as it stands, even making peace with pain, uncertainty and discomfort; all of which we most certainly are no stranger to.

So on this Valentine’s Day I wish for all of you to embrace yourselves, your loved ones with the deepest sense of honor, open-heartedness, self-acceptance and Love-

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your

                                         love and affection.”

                                                    -Buddha

Joyeuse Saint-Valentin!