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July 2, 2011July 3, 2011

Stall tactics

Finishing my tenure with H&R Block yesterday, I pulled out of the parking garage and with the drive home came a sense of open-endlessness. It was difficult not to turn off onto I-70. and go.

But I came home, to dive deeper into the ordeal which packing has made itself. Trinkets from the past repeatedly distract. An infant size Philmont shirt beckons me to dig deeper, until the waves of past no longer lap harmlessly around me, but rather consume hours of time and emotional energy. All the while I bear a sense of indignation that the physical manifestations my life story must be categorized and consolidated.

Yesterday I got as far as disemboweling my closet, whereupon a Kimono was unearthed. Naturally I had to Google how to tie a Kimono. Then I sat in the traditional Japanese style and read journal entries written as a 3rd grader.

I found a letter which 11 year-old Bethany wrote to 15 year-old Bethany in which the former inquired as to whether money was still in use, showers were still required daily, and was society still dependent on fire. 11 year-old Bethany graciously included a match and a coin in the envelope, in case her 4-year in the future self had forgotten already. 25 year-old, Kimonoed Bethany then wrote a letter to 50 year-old Bethany, relating this and other pressing matters.

Suddenly it was 8 pm and time for me to return to the present and meet my girls for supper. I hardly realized how important it was that I come back into the now.

MLE, Lindsey, Lisa, and EmJ have rooted and rooted for me, for over 6 years. Experience has made us good at parting ways; consoled in knowing a good-bye now precipitates a reunion later. When I am surrounded by them I am ensconced in a sense of wholeness. Individuals who have moved beyond the title “friends.” Those who have become so enmeshed in my heart that they are unique extensions of myself; as I am of them. I am humbled by the pattern which we weave together. Thank you, ladies.

It is now 5:24 on Saturday afternoon. I have so far managed to throw away a scratched CD and a pair of lady bug house slippers. The wall of “stuff coming with” has grown by two cardboard boxes.

The blessing of this whole ordeal is that Little Sister is going through the moving out process at the same time.

In light of all we have to do, she is laying on my couch, reading and I’m telling you all about it.

But fear not, fair reader, for it will all get done…Later.

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Comments (2)

  • GOAT ?? July 5, 2011 at 8:57 pm Reply

    Remind me never to help me pack.

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    • GOAT ?? July 5, 2011 at 8:58 pm Reply

      Wow, it’s early; my comment reads like a zen koan. I mean, remind me never to LET you help me pack.

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Patagonia - Arctic 18,000+ mile women led #humanpowered Expedition - connecting stories, bridging perspectives across Americas👣 🛶🚲 🌎

Wishing you coziness, friendship, and all the swee Wishing you coziness, friendship, and all the sweetness this season!

From our gingerbread and graham cracker village in Keystone, CO to you and yours. ❄️
10 days in silence at Suan Mokkh Hermitage ~~~~~ 10 days in silence at Suan Mokkh Hermitage

~~~~~

Excerpts from 'Going Home' by Thich Nhat Hanh:

When you practice the bell of mindfulness, you breathe in, and you listen deeply to the sound of the bell, and you say, "Listen, listen." Then you breathe out and you say, "This wonderful sound brings me back to my true home. Our true home is something we all want to go back to. Some of us feel we don't have a home.

Does a wave have a home? When a wave looks deeply into herself, she will realize the presence of all the other waves. When we are mindful, fully living each moment of our daily lives, we may realize that everyone and everything around us is our home.

Isn't it true that the air we breathe is our home, that the blue sky, the rivers, the mountains, the people around us, the trees, and the animals are our home? 

A wave looking deeply into herself will see that she is made up of all the other waves and will no longer feel she is cut off from everything around her. She will be able to recognize that the other waves are also her home. 

When you practice walking meditation, walk in such a way that you recognize your home, in the here and the now. See the trees as your home, the air as your home, the blue sky as your home, and the earth that you tread as your home. This can only be done in the here and the now.

Sometimes we have a feeling of alienation. We feel lonely and as if we are cut off from everything. We have been a wanderer and have tried hard but have never been able to reach our true home. However, we all have a home, and this is our practice, the practice of going home.

When we say, "Home sweet home," where is it? When we practice looking deeply, we realize that our home is everywhere. We have to be able to see that the trees are our home and the blue sky is our home. It looks like a difficult practice, but it's really easy. You only need to stop being a wanderer in order to be at home. "Listen, listen. This wonderful sound brings me back to my true home."

What is the home of a wave? The home of the wave is all the other waves, and the home of the wave is water.
Grateful to work with brands like @toaksoutdoor wh Grateful to work with brands like @toaksoutdoor who keep it real.

#womenownedsmallbusiness #outdoorgear #biofuel #womenoutdoors #backpacking #woodstove
Temples around Chiang Mai. 🐉 🛕 #traveltip: bring Temples around Chiang Mai. 🐉 🛕

#traveltip: bring shoes comfy for walking and easy to slip on and off, as you take shoes and hats off at the entrance to all temples and most homes.

Travel tip for women: have clothing which covers your knees and shoulders before entering temples. Bring a wrap or something easy to pack along for a day of hoofing it!
⛱️ in the ☃️ and the Pacific was good to me. Lon ⛱️ in the ☃️ and the Pacific was good to me. 

Long strolls and sits, digging for hot springs treasure in beach sand, kayaking coastline, and so much more.

Ever grateful to México for being generous and welcoming neighbors.

Doy gracias a México por ser vecinos tan amables y generosos. 🌊 🇲🇽🙏🌽
Faith Evolving On these new moon nights, I warm m Faith Evolving

On these new moon nights, I warm my heart thinking through matters of gratitude since the last full moon. Approaching Solstice, may we do the same with the revolution of the year; ReflecT, while those of us in the northern hemisphere are wrapped in darkness. Shine, for those in the southern.

A few of my dark & lights:

Best laid plans going horribly awry, sitting still with the fear and hurt, trusting my gut to lead the way through uncertainty to unexpected delights and the sort of folk who nurture and reconstitute joy, hope, and spirit rather than prey on and drain it. Practicing boundaries with both.

-Cozy @farmtofeet socks just right for the season
-Holiday celebrations and getting to elf around on stage for kiddos
-New friends on fun jaunts
-Engaging with the health and wellbeing of my faithful body, having all I need within walking distance, collecting herbs for tea along the way
-Honoring Beings like mountain agave and rich books
-Y mucho más (Patreon Peeps, holiday missive coming out soon!)

May you be warm, may you be healthy, may you feel loved. 
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