With Grace and Nobility

Even though Spring is springing it is still rather stark outside. The trees are still bare, the grass isn't quite green, the garden is toiled but lacks visual vitality......in some ways it's still lonesome outside. But, the sun is peaking it's beams a little today and the temperature is rising.

I was visited this morning by a male and female cardinal. They flew after each other and around each other and flirted on a tree branch. It was beautiful to watch them. Their red colors were vivid, particularly the male. Amidst the bleak and bare trees they shown brightly. These two lovebirds, as I imagined them to be, inspired me and this blog post. Time to find out why.......

"The symbolic meaning of cardinals deals with vibrancy and brilliance.

As we observe the cardinal – particularly against the backdrop of the stark winter months, we are reminded that even when things appear bleak or isolated, there is always the presence of beauty, hope, and love.

Cardinals encourage us to express our brilliance and reveal our truest selves. Their radiant red is a symbol for us to recognize the gifts in our hearts that we have to give to others in love and friendship.

Here is a quick summary of the attributes & symbolic meaning of cardinals:

•Sexuality
•Vibrancy
•Renewal
•Self-reflection
•Friendliness
•Vitality
•Goodwill
•Industry
•Brilliance

As we might guess, a large part of the animal symbolism of the cardinal comes from the brilliant red color of the males. This shock of red, especially against the stark backdrop of winter snow, is a magnificent sight. The male cardinal reminds us passion, warmth and vibrancy is available to us - even in under the cloak of winter's grey clouds. Interestingly, the more bold and bright his color is, the more successful the cardinal will be at prolonging his lineage. Dull colored male cardinals are less likely to mate successfully than bright ones.

True to the fire of his color, the crimson cardinal has got some major spunk. He will aggressively defend his territory, and fight attackers with ferocity. Indeed, they have been known to fight ghost males (their reflections) in mirrors for hours on end.

Both male and female give us glorious songs. Along with peeps and pips and warbles, the tuned ear can also hear "cheer, cheer, cheer!" Very appropriate to the animal symbolism of cardinals, because they are a delight to both eyes and ears.

The cardinal reminds us to hold ourselves with pride - not ego pride. Rather, the cardinal asks us to stand a little taller, be a bit more regal, step into our natural confidence as if we were born to lead with grace and nobility."

Come and join the living.......

Peace Train ::

Now I've been happy lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh I've been smiling lately,
dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be,
some day it's going to come

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together,
go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer,
it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living,
it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer,
soon it will all be true

Now I've been crying lately,
thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating,
why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

All is well

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A lesson in trust. It all sorts itself out. All is well. Be still and listen. Trust that you know what it the next step and if you don't.....stop! Listen, be quiet in your mind. Let the rain fall. The fog will lift and your path will be clear. The rain is a time for cleansing, renewal, nourishment. Don't fight it. Allow the rain that must fall in your life to come. Don't hide from it. Listen, feel, absorb, be cleansed. Then, let go.

To begin again.......

It's amazing how the time slips by, somewhat unknowingly. One moment your there and the next moment, weeks have passed and your left wondering......'where has the time gone?' My goal for this Lenten season was to post each day with something that inspired growth within me and my family. I seem to always forget that when you're reaching for that higher self, experiences will arise where you will be challenged to practice what it is you're trying to grasp/learn/rediscover/or correct within your self. Needless to say, these last 15 days I have been challenged. Each day that passed I put up the word that inspired me that day.

Here they are::
Trust
Forgiveness
Honesty
Playfulness
Renewal
Expectation
Prayer
Fear
Relief
Gratitude
Gifts
Organization
Breath
Freedom
Creativity

This is a very clear map of the journey we went on; we spent lots of time praying for a dear friend who was in the hospital having surgery, we spent time in the hospital ourselves with our three year old daughter, we came home to amazing friends and family who have gone above and beyond to help us maintain a healthy rhythm, rediscovering our gifts to eachother and our community, and the freedom the comes with discovering and letting go of what works and what doesn't work in our lives. Today, we are holding the word 'cleansing' in our minds.

It is April 1st and it is snowing here. It's technically spring, but, I feel like there is so much turmoil happening everywhere that Mother Nature is trying to keep it slow and still in the places where love can grow freely. I know that snow in spring doesn't bring much joy to many, but, it's a welcome shift for me. I am eager for warmth and sunshine but I can respect and understand what else needs to happen first before we can truly begin again.

Cleansing. To cleanse we are creating a different model for eating, sleeping, playing, and who we spend out time with. We've been so fortunate to be given loving and supportive family members at birth and then be attracted and connected to the most amazing, wonderful, selfless, inspiring friends.......who, at this point in our lives, are our family too. Sadly, there are folks who we are connected to but just aren't able to, for what ever reasons, be unconditional. Thankfully, I am awake enough to realize this, love them anyway, and let them go; allowing them to be what they can without attachment. Another big piece in the 'cleansing' aspect.

However tumoltuous these past few weeks have been, I'm so thankful that everyone has come out of it somewhat unscathed. We're alive, together, loving eachother, and celebrating each new moment together. We have a new found admiration for those who walked through these dark day with us.........and when we were the ones holding up, we felt honored to be able to be the support that was needed.

Life is moving faster and faster. Each day presents a new list of tasks and experiences in addition to the daily grind. Open your hearts. Listen. Be soft and quiet and allow the messages that will come only to flow through you. Love your friends and family. Be thankful for them everyday. Hug them and express your love without hesitation. It's time to begin again.