Be Here Now (Willy Porter) / Be Here Now (by Ray LaMontagne)

I don't know anything anymore, which seems to be a very liberating experience.  I mean, I've always been more heart-based than brain-centric, and feelings are front-and-center these days.  I'm just trying to pay attention and follow my intuition.  

However, sometimes there are blips.  I got home from the Miami Book Fair the other night, and Chico said:  "your son called, and wants you to call him back" and, swear to god, my first instinct was to ask:  "which one?"... 🤷

We are leaving in an hour or so for the Atlanta area, to spend Thanksgiving with my sister.  It sounded like a great idea at the time, and I have no doubt it will be an amazing weekend... but part of me really wants to just stay home, in my nightgown, and eat cereal.  Sadness permeates... 😭

Mari, don't freak out.  We're coming.  I love you... and am beyond grateful for the wagon-circling... 💗

P.S.  I won't be blogging Friday, as we'll still be away... but look for something this Sunday after we return.  Happy Thanksgiving to all... 💟

SONG(S):  Be Here Now (Willy Porter) / Be Here Now (by Ray LaMontagne)

BOOK:  The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way by Héctor García, Francesc Miralles (thanks to FranD for the heads-up to this delightful concept!)

POEM(S):  Holding the Light by Stuart Kestenbaum

for Kait Rhoads

Gather up whatever is

glittering in the gutter,

whatever has tumbled

in the waves or fallen

in flames out of the sky,

for it’s not only our

hearts that are broken,

but the heart

of the world as well.

Stitch it back together.

Make a place where

the day speaks to the night

and the earth speaks to the sky.

Whether we created God

or God created us

it all comes down to this:

In our imperfect world

we are meant to repair

and stitch together

what beauty there is, stitch it

with compassion and wire.

See how everything

we have made gathers

the light inside itself

and overflows? A blessing.

Right Here by Dane Anthony

Stop moving. Stand in

one place – this place.

Breathe slowly; in, then out. Repeat.

Repeat again. Let your

shoulders sink and relax. Unclench

your jaw; slowly close your eyes.

Listen for your heartbeat; really

listen. Feel it pulse in

your fingertips.

Lessen expectations. Under-do all your

efforts. Requisition the time

for your soul

to catch up. Lean

into the wind; feel it

like a tree and test the ground.

Learn to trust the resilience.

It would be treason to move

quickly ~ left or right ~

from this place. It is alright to be exactly

what you are, who you are, where you are.

Right here, right now. 

QUOTE(S):  "Our true home is in the present moment.  To live in the present moment is a miracle.  The miracle is not to walk on water.  The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

“The present moment is the intersection of eternity with time.” ~ Beatrice Bruteau