navylane :: musings

I am crumbling, stumbling, jumping, rejoicing, deciding, abiding, quivering, quaking, jogging, dodging, taking, talking, kissing, missing, waking, wishing, mending, bending, tasting, touching, giving, forgiving, loving, losing, mourning, adorning, seeing, savoring, learning, burning, making, marking, feeling, healing, laughing, looking, needing, breathing… cheers to living.

· spc ·

Leaves of love. It’s moments like this that do make autumn a joy. A gift of colorful leaves with a heartwarming note from my daughters.

As autumn blesses us with crisp air and falling leaves, my days become more contemplative, more introspective, as I long for moments curling up with a warm quilt, peering out the window, letting my mind wonder and ponder. Between the demands and priorities of life that generally take center stage, I sneak in quiet moments of nothingness whenever possible. I see a new pattern emerging year after year; I no longer embrace autumn as easily as I once did. Instead, I retreat, hunker down, trying to deny the cruel, approaching winter.

· · · · ·

Life is ironic. Most of us journey through life in a chaotic mad dash to the finish line, never fully appreciating the journey itself. When I allow myself a quick reprieve from the everyday madness, I do take note and see the brilliance of it all — the challenges, the relationships, the hardships that encourage appreciation of the blissfulness, the exuberance and innocence of youth, the wisdom and maturity gained with age. There is so much I still do not understand, so much I still cannot wrap my head around, yet so much that really does make sense to me. Enjoy the journey, a simple phrase yet a challenging task I aspire to with every new sunrise.

My life is a circus act. At times I feel as foolish as the clown; at other times I feel like I have the control of a lion tamer. But my most reprised role is that of the juggler. Each and every day tossing it all about — family, art, work, spirituality, marriage, self — trying to keep control, without dropping it all.

recommended read: life is a juggling act

more juggling at illustration friday

more squares at inspire me thursday

bury the bad stuff journal prompt
inspire me thursday

As usual, lots to be smiling about in my life:

• My youngest daughter’s new friend, Paper. Not sure if I heard her right, I asked ‘Paper? Are you sure that’s her name?’ She gave an enthusiastic nod. The next day she came home to explain that her friend’s name wasn’t Paper after all… it’s Paige. (Get it? Paper… page… Paige?) :)

• Listening to Meiko. Especially loving How Lucky We Are.

• While I was making dinner, my daughter comes in and says, ‘Oh, I almost forgot!’ She reaches down into the side of her sock and pulls out a small, pretty stone. ‘It’s for you, Mom. I found it during recess and knew you would love it.’ Aww, bless her soul, the sweet dear carried a rock in her sock all day just for me… :)

• Blog Action Day. A great concept. Won’t you consider joining in?

• In a recent note from The Universe, this single line resonated with me so much that I have adopted it as my new mantra: “Joy remains life’s only inevitable.” I love that perspective.