HEART&
SOUL
As spring emerges all over the Olympic Peninsula, we are
r u t n o ! p S e e Look ...s By Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith
all called into wonder at the unfolding of new life all around us. From the daffodils breaking free of the winter’s soil to the special green unique to emerging leaves to the adorable fawns walking beside their mothers through the streets of Port Townsend. And for us, life seems to reawaken from the winter’s respite beside the warmth of the fireside and back out into our secret gardens and windswept beaches. New life is always amazing. One needs only gaze into the eyes of newborn infants to see that spark of possibility that accompanied their first breaths — just like the fresh breezes of spring seem to make us pause and breathe more deeply of the air of life. A lifetime ago, I was a neonatal intensive care nurse entrusted with nurturing precious new lives. The memories that touch me deepest to this day are those of the infinite variety of souls that I was blessed to encounter. From that very first entrance into our world, each came with a distinctive personality. Some were stoic, some temperamental, some comical, some thoughtful. Each one an emerging possibility that would evolve into a unique life. In simply holding them, they invited me to experience that. There’s a wonderful passage from Marianne Williamson’s “A Return to Love” that is a perfect reflection for us all this time of year. “When we were born, we were programmed perfectly. We had a natural tendency to focus on love. We were connected to a world much richer than the one we connect to now, a world full of enchantment and a sense of the miraculous … Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we’ve learned here. The spiritual journey is the relinquishment, or unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love back into
open eyes, open minds, open hearts and open arms. This time of year seems to remind us that that “world beyond" lies all around us in every moment of our lives if we can but notice what’s around us and love the wonder of it. The truth of that is found in sacred writings from across the ages, from Gautama Siddhartha’s vision that we are created to "love the whole world as a mother loves her only child" to the master Jesus’ wisdom that “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” When we enter this world we are tiny and helpless. But how quickly we grow and learn, adapting to the world and finding our own place in it. The seeds of what we each can become were there from the beginning and we get to keep blossoming for our entire lives. That stumbling toddler becomes the ballerina … the kid who always drew outside the lines becomes a breakthrough artist … the quiet reader evolves into a teacher who changes lives from within. And the best part is that wherever we each are on that life journey, as George Eliot wrote, “It is never too late to become what you might have been.” You were even gifted with a secret mantra from that first primer in elementary school to guide you on your path. Do you remember the opening passage? It contains four simple words: “Look! See Spot run!” Earth becomes heaven when you simply have the eyes to see the wonder and love all When one goes on an adventure, having rules of the road can help navigate around you in every mothe path. Luckily, most of us were gifted with those very early on as children. ment. It becomes heaven They’re not too complicated, but in the simplicity of their truth we find when you take that next inspiration. Here are some favorites that were captured by Robert Fulgrum in step toward your own his classic “All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”: divinely chosen life path. It becomes heaven when Live a balanced life – learn, think, draw, paint, sing, dance, play you have a joyful experiand work every day. ence or reunite with a When you go out in the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and loved one. It all begins stick together. with remembering to “look.” To slow down Share everything — Play fair — Clean up your own mess. enough to use your Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you — Take a nap every sight, both physical and afternoon. spiritual. And when you look, you can then take Be aware of wonder — Remember the seed in the Styrofoam cup – the all-important next we are all like that. step which is to truly our hearts. Love is the essential existential fact. It is “see.” To give what lies around you depth of meaning our ultimate reality and our purpose on earth. To be as you open to more perceptive awareness and to more consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves creative exploration. and others, is the meaning of life … Love is the intuiAnd so with open eyes, we can encounter the world tive knowledge of our hearts. It’s a ‘world beyond’ that anew. Seeing it with the vision of wonder, surprise and we secretly long for. An ancient memory of this love hopeful anticipation. From the beaches of Rialto to haunts us all of the time, and it beckons us to return.” the lavender fields of Sequim to the Victoria ferry ride And so like for those newborns, we journey forward from Port Angeles to the red caboose hot dog stand in into the experiences Port Townsend, step into the wonders of the peninsula. of our lives. Like them, Remember how excited you became as a child on field we can do so with trip day at school? Do your own mini-field trips in our 12 LOP Spring 2013
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community rich with activities for the creative soul, the adventuresome spirit and the intrepid traveler. We are entering the season of festivals where music fills the air day and night, the aromas of local cuisine tempt us to try something new and the lingering sunshine invites us to remain outside amid all the fun. We live in the perfect place to redevelop these qualities as the longer days call us out into the world. Being an adult allows us to be creative and visionary in how we do them. Each can find ways to incorporate these in fun ways that enliven their existence. Here are but a few: your life more consciously. Are you 1. Balance focused on one thing too much? Are you finding
yourself taking it all too seriously? The old Scottish proverb reminds us that the angels can fly because they take things so lightly. Lighten up this spring. Go out into the world around you to experience it and others. Have you been doing the same routine or lost connection with people important to you? All around you are interesting new people and places. Go play with them. Generously and lovingly engage your world. What can you do to make the world a better place? Do random acts of kindness. “Go green” to protect our Mother Earth and honor all the creations under Father Sky. Go to outdoor concerts and help pick up afterwards. Rest and replenish! Do you remember to take time every day for TLC? Take a friend to the beach with a bottle of Pacific Northwest wine and a loaf of crusty bread fresh from a local bakery. Sit on your porch with a cup of hot tea, scones and an interesting book. Look around with the eyes of a child and with wonder. Notice the subtle shadings of light as the sun plays across the water. Listen to the harmonious tones of a street musician. Embrace the infinite variety of souls all around you who all chose to be here.
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Are you ready for your next adventure? It may be one of exploration of the new or a return to a favorite encounter. You may want to explore with your mind in a new class, with your heart in volunteering, with your body in hiking new trails and with your spirit in just taking time to be truly present in this amazing world. I’ve always loved the famous line from J.R.R. Tolkien, “Not all those who wander are lost.” You’ve got your spiritual travel guideposts so you won’t get lost. May your wanderings bring you joy and peace, and may your inner child come out to play. May you always “Look!” and may you be fascinated by what you “See.” Then do just like Spot and “Run” into life like a child. Reach Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith at pam@celticgypsy.org.