What is your intention?
And, yes… the speaker meant, in that moment, my intention, which I’ll share with you shortly. First, though, could we agree that there’s a whole lot going on in the world and, with all our high-tech gadgets, taking vacations from it is – well – more complicated than it used to be???
Since you’re still here, I’m going with agreement! And that means taking a peek into a meeting, earlier today. The opening circle of Red Madonna – Mother Nature 2025. (And, yes… there’s still time to join us!)
A literally global circle of women, in hopeful community… Many voices, all gathered in beginning. Old friends and new. Comfortable artists and beginners.
I was asked to bring something to share and an odd thing found me, in my dreams. A poem from my book, Grandmothers Are In Charge of Hope (2nd edition @2016). And I’ll share it in a moment. First, a tiny bit of backstory.
This poem was inspired by an ancient Sufi teaching story I learned in an Ericksonian Hypnotherapy training session. Guy from village at base of the mountain gets all upset, climbs mountain, tells story, gets answer that’s not immediately what he had in mind. This goes on about a zillion times. Finally, the lightbulb comes on. There wasn’t time in Zoom-land for the whole ancient saga, so here’s a gently updated version of my earlier poem.
Standing on the Edge
I am standing on the edge.
Toes curled under.
Hanging on.
Like climbing too high on a ladder.
Trying to decide if I’m terrified.
Or excited.
Knowing that, in my body, the experience is the same.
Knowing that whoever decided we could only feel one feeling at a time was wrong!
The wise old woman on the mountain was right.
Trying to glimpse the beyond which is past the edge.
I like beyond.
I like creating.
Abracadabra!
For I will make something with the word.
Though I may paint a bit more, first.
I’m standing at the edge.
Hoping I’m excited!
(®slb, 2025)
And, yes… I hear you! Sometimes excited takes a whole lot of hoping!!! One way to start is with claiming an intention, which we did next in the meeting.
As promised, I’ll share. Shortly. First I need to own that this is not what I learned growing up. It’s not what I learned in school. Perhaps because I didn’t have the capacity for abstract thought, back then. Or because it wasn’t what would get me a good score on the SAT’s. And it’s safe to say that it doesn’t feel like I had a place for lots of this newness, back before the whole self reset of becoming a grandmother!
In any event, I am ready now. So…
It is my intention to live, with my whole self, into the Great MA who dwells within me… and us!
And, yes… I’m hoping you’re curious!
There’s still time to join us for Red Madonna – Mother Nature 2025. And, there’s the possibility of a bit of help with the finances, if that would open a door for you. Just click here, for all the info!
And, #Filters begins on Friday! A bit more process/perception oriented. An intro to Medicine Painting. Six weeks to major shifts. (All recorded if time is a challenge.) Intentional space for your intentions, language, and path. Click here for details.
The other day somebody asked me why I do this work. If you’ve been reading along a while, you may know the answer…
Because I have 2 Grandteens trying very hard to grow up in this world!
What matters like that to you???
This is the place for beyond. And the time!
ps… if you, too, are a fan of The West Wing, either or both of these opportunities are excellent answers to the big question… What’s next??? (And, yes… BOTH is totally possible!!!)