Too Busy.............

A Note from 71 Sunflower Lane…………… I’ve missed writing.  As I sat in silence this morning pondering where I am on this journey. As with electricity all wires must have a ground wire and my ground wire is writing.  Whether I share my ramblings or notes from sunflower lane……….I need to put words to paper to remove the clutter to keep my mind clear.  My mind at time is like a clothes dryer with everything tumbling around in my head.  Joan Chittister mentions that writing is contemplative prayer. 

The past two weeks has been so busy that I don’t even know when the busyness really started or how I let it happen.  It is saying ‘yes’ to everyone else……..most of you realize what I am talking about………the pleasing syndrome.  It is so easy to fall back into that habit or trap of pleasing or being snared into doing until I sit or fall down because I am so tired.  How does one stay on course?  How does one know what to accept and what to say no too?  When family is involved then I have discovered it is really difficult; however, the end result is that I pay the price for doing.

 It is so easy to let mediation go then follows exercise or prayer time along me time and time together with my husband.  Need to discover the key which unlocks the door to Balance. I feel sad and depleted and even angry.  Right at this moment I CRaVE just being.  I feel like my heart, spirit, soul is screaming for something………is that something time, silence, spiritual nourishment, time spent sitting or contemplating?  I really don’t know the answer as I write but what I do know for certain is my heart yearns for something………the very core needs to be nourished.  I have to discover what nourishment is required. 

 

This little lesson of being busy has taught me how easy other things in life can take over my spiritual time.  As I started my journey, I had realized that I was lost, then with guidance from my spiritual director, my life slowed as I slowed my mind.  My masculine traits are very strong……..so it is difficult to Balance masculine & feminine.  Stillness is the Key….for me.

The busyness has been such a wonderful teacher as I know realize that when the cravings start then it is time for me to Stop.  Cravings come in many forms from shopping, always helping others, cleaning, volunteering, trying to fix family problems and so forth.  I believe -  we each have a different craving that is ours alone to recognize and take note of where our life is headed and what we need to do about it.

I’ve finished writing for the day…….releasing the judgments, opinions, beliefs, feelings, ideas, inspirations, and designs…….no wonder I can’t think straight.

I’ve finished mediating with my basket in hand…………a concrete symbol in my hands to centre me to bring me to my Still Point.

 

Hope you can take time to find your Still Point.

Thank you for stopping by and hope you visit again.

I will be out enjoying the beautiful spring weather so will only be posting on Wednesday.

Marlene

 

mind over matter

Cyclist’s Ramblings………..

mind over matter. 

 

While cycling by a house on Otis Drive that has been sold, I noticed that the former owners have moved.  The house was lifeless……. the windows, which are the eyes of the home, revealed that no spirit of life was present.  Sad.  Nice people and a wonderful boy who was friends with my grandson.  Life changes and new life will be present in the house.

 Pedalling onward into a very stiff breeze creating a cool spring day, I met a snowmobiler carefully performing a balancing act on a snow bank.  Spring fashion is everywhere from the melting snow, warm sun, cool to cold winds but presenting bare pavement to cycle on.  It is difficult sometimes when the breeze or winds creates an intense force against the bicycle and rider.  Most common obstacle that deters people from cycling is the hills.  I can’t count the number of times I have heard that comment……..won’t bike because of the hills.

I learnt a long time ago, that cycling up a hill is mind over matter.  What I think is reflected in my body making me groan when I see a hill.  It is so easy to take the mind on a journey of its own.  There are so many distractions around as I cycle – from the running brooks, grass peeking out from under the burden of snow, listening to my breath, hearing the sound of the tires, sounds of birds in the distance…..especially the rhythm of the woodpecker.  If I choose I can take my mind on another route of thinking pleasant thoughts from recalling the story I read or the stories told to me by my grandchildren or how about singing or repeating a mantra.  Hills are much like life………if you want to journey to become the best human being, then you have to climb the hills.  Hills can be as tough as you want or relax into the ride knowing that this is a journey that doesn’t last for long.  This hill will end and with changing my thoughts I am soon at the top of the hill.

If all I did was pedal on flat surfaces then my lungs wouldn’t expand, my muscles wouldn’t be challenged, and I would be bored.  I believe every person needs a challenge whether it is physical, spiritual or mental.

 Accept the challenge in your life meeting it with a positive attitude which flows into other areas of your body and life.

 

Hope you climb the hills.

 

thanks for stopping by.........see you again soon.

Marlene

 

 

Still Point

A Note from 71 Sunflower Lane……………Still Point.  What image comes to mind regarding the words Still Point?   I have been reading Sue Monk Kidd’s book, “When the Heart Waits’ as she discusses the still point within each person. Still Point is the quiet internal core or anchor point where I find stillness as I sit in silence with my mind and spirit and heart to wait. I think of the word ‘still ‘as stopping and ‘point’ being the place to stop. The Still Point is a spiritual place - there is no going forward or going backward. 

As many of you may have realized, I am fond of working with symbols. The basket I am using during my journey has a center where the strips of wood lay one on top of the other….that symbolizes the Still Point for me.  That is where my focus unites with the Holy One. Other ways that I can discover my Still Point are riding my bicycle, wandering in nature and sitting by the water.

All the reeds or strips of wood forming the basket bottom are carefully laid over each other starting from the Center.  The weaving doesn’t start till near the edge where the sides of the basket are formed, so it symbolizes that a Still Point is a starting point.  The basket has deep sides symbolizing I need to delve deep…..as I sit in silence.

Each time I hold the basket in my hands my mind, body, spirt and heart still while gazing inward to the centre.

A candle or centre of a flower or picture can all be still points.

Do you have a symbol, picture, or item that you use as a reminder to stop and become still?

 

Thanks for stopping by..........see you soon.  Marlene

 

Manadal..........creating or colouring

 

This is a mandala I have created during my Lenten journey.  After viewing the mandala my spiritual director mentioned to me that this drawing looked like Psalm 23.  So I have used that Psalm throughout my travels and always remembered to make time for 'still waters' and with my experienced I do become refreshed.

Give it a try............

A Note from 71 Sunflower Lane……………ever coloured a mandala?  Joyce Rupp describes mandala – as a sacred circle that has been a part of humankind since earliest times. Mandala is a Sanskirt word that means ‘scared circle starting from the center.’  Mandalas are abundant in nature….from the flower blossom, slicing a cabbage in half – see the center & design, or view the slice of a tree as a few examples.  Start looking around your surrounding and nature to discover mandalas.  Again, nature is the teacher.

 

Mandala was often used by C.G. Jung as a kind of container.  It held what was deep within the unconscious and brought into the light of awareness by reflective drawing. 

Mandalas are thought forms that represent the energy released by the creator.  The mandala can be used in personal meditation, healing, or self-realization, and some women use them as a focus point during birthing. Creating a mandala helps center ourselves.  The circle is a symbol for wholeness, balance and harmony.

Within that circle, a person doodles, scribbles, draws, colours, paints, or sketches their inner most spirit. One need not be an artist in order to draw a mandala.  It does not need to ‘look beautiful’ in order to be insightful. 

  Be sure to date the mandala.  It is helpful to title the mandala and to jot down any insights or connections that may come as one ponders mandala.

Draw a mandala.  Begin by pausing to still and to open your entire being to the presence of the rushing wind.  Let the Spirit of God move through your being.  When you feel ready, fill your circle with ways that energy of God moves through your being.

Tools………..paper with a circle drawn on it ( I use a plate or bowl) and coloured pencils. Soft music can be quietly played, if you wish.

Place a dot in center of the circle.

Before starting to create a mandala……. Begin by quieting the mind and body.

Stop and check how you feel…..body (is it tense or relaxed), mind (chattering or free from words) and the spirit.

If you have an intention, then name or write it on the paper. 

Sit quietly, close your eyes, hands on your lap or on the table, and quiet the mind, become very aware of the present moment – the place in which creation takes place.

Become aware of your breath…………now, take 3 long deep breaths.

Wait patiently for an image or a colour or a word to become known to you. 

Open your eyes and focus on the center dot.

Pick up a coloured pencil…………let the colour choose you. 

Place the image or colour or word in the center of the circle. 

Don’t be concerned about drawing just let the pencil flow as you will be amazed as to what appears. 

Continue to add to the circle until it feels completed. 

Creating a mandala is also a lesson in Trust as you will know when you have finished…….just listen and your spirit will tell you. 

Interpreting a mandala is personal.  It will tell a story that is only your story.

I place my completed mandalas on a table or fireplace, or hang them on the wall, a place that I can view them as I walk by.  The colours mean something as well as the images.  You can check out symbolism and colour meaning on the computer but it still is a personal process.

 

Now, take a moment to stop and check how you feel…..body (is it tense or relaxed), mind (is it chattering) and your spirit.

 

Mandalas have been made as tools for concentration, mediation, or prayer or given as gifts to love ones who are going through a health crisis or grieving over a loss.

 

Now, if you don't wish to draw your mandala, Google mandala colouring pages and print one off, centering yourself into quiet and colour.  Enjoy!

 

Below are meaning of some colours that may help you find the meaning or story………

Grey: Causes indifference, non-expressiveness. Some associated terms are fixed, depressed, lifeless apathetic.

Black: Symbolizes extremes, all or nothing.

Gold: Symbolizes authority, self-confidence, creativity, perfection.

Silver: Inspires emotional stability, removes or neutralizes negativity.

Copper/Bronze: Symbolizes love and passion in personal and professional relationships and endeavors.

Red: Stimulates energy, warmth and healing. Some associated terms are courage, will-power, speed and assertiveness.

Orange: Stimulates new possibilities, creativity and enthusiasm.

Yellow: Awakens mental inspiration and energizes your muscles. (Remember, your heart is a muscle!)

Green: Inspires balance and harmony, soothes both the mind and body.

Blue: Soothes and cools.

Indigo: As a mix of blue and red, indigo combines the devotion of blue and stabilization of red. Indigo inspires coolness and electricity.

Violet/Purple: Colors of transformation, soothing mental and emotional stress. For those of you who meditate, it is believed that violet strengthens one's spiritual power.

White: White is the combination of all colours. It signifies perfection, balance and harmony.

Magenta: Inspires magnetism and extra focus to achieve power.

Pink: Restores youthfulness, inspires genuine contact to your true feelings.

Turquoise: Increases intuition and sensitivity. Relaxes sensations of stress.

Brown: Represents solidity and grounding, natural and simple.

Hope you enjoyed the experience.

If you create a mandala then I hope you will share your drawing and experience.

Thank you for stopping by........see you on Thursday.   Marlene

 

This mandala is painted on fabric and became a cushion on a chair.

Title.........'to everything there is a Season'

 

 

 

 

 

Fear.......a Four letter word

symbols to help release fear............

 

Cyclist’s Ramblings………..a four letter word that begins with ‘f’” causing the mind, body and spirit to freeze……….fear.  Other words that denote fear……..to be terrified, anxious, distressed,  to be frightened, panic, to be afraid, dread and to be scared.  We have all experienced fear.  Have you ever noticed that people very rarely every share the happy stories.  The stories told at baby showers are usually the difficult and fear laden delivery stories….what went wrong.  Same with accidents, it is the grouse details that are shared.  Fear comes in the form of rejection as well as fear of failure or not measuring up or letting the mind slip into ‘what could happen’ stories. Imagination fuels the fear and the more we imagine the instinct; the higher the mountain of fear.  Sometimes, I think of what could happen as I cycle alone.

I remember my dad and me baking a cake and fearing that it wouldn’t turn out.  I shared my fears with my dad and his reply was “if it doesn’t turn out, we will bake another cake.”  I had forgotten those words until the word rejection has popped into my life causing me to stop creating.

 I have wondered how to overcome this hill or mountain of fear.  Below are some ways of centering:

 Mountain pose, a wonderful yoga pose, that will calm the mind instantly.  Stop when fear ignites.  Stand in mountain pose, sway forward with the body thinking of the fear---breath the fear in with an inhale, then sway backwards with the body releasing the fear with an exhale.  Then just breathe.

Taking the letter f and using this as a staff to lean on.  I have been reading Psalm 23 “You are forever with me, your rod and staff will guide me.”  A staff symbolizes a walking stick for me which I use in the woods and sometimes that is where my imagination ignites the fear of unknown, lurking in the woods.  Leaning on the walking stick switches my brain vibrations to calm, instead of panic.

When you have time, grab a pencil and paper; draw a table with plates.  On each plate write what you fear.  View each word & think of the positive outcome from a fear-filled situation.  Draw another shape then write the positive word or experience inside the shape.  I did this and was amazed at the how the positives outnumbered the fears.  It only takes a few moments.

 Share your fears.  Hearing you repeat your fears to another person can assist in untying the knots of fear.

 Move.  Go for a walk, cycle, garden, ski …………just move releasing that fear-filled energy. 

Find a symbol that will give you courage to face your fears.  Something solid to touch such as a cross – faith in the Divine, a pebble – for courage to get through the hard spots, walking stick – to lean on, penny – good luck, seed – symbolizing growth from fear, a word on a piece of paper – a positive to balance the negative, and miniature bird – flying free are a few suggestions.

What symbol would remind you to be not afraid?

 

 

Being Cradled...........

 

A Note from 71 Sunflower Lane……………my spirit knew, before I did, that the basket cover was to be placed on the bottom which symbolizes God gently cradling me during my journey. My spirit knows these things and waits for my mind to catch up.  Sometimes I do things, such as placing the cover on the bottom, then a few days later I understand why I did that particular thing. Sometimes I pick the basket up and the cover falls off or remains on the table.  It is a reminder, for me that I do leave God behind.  I start out trusting and ending wanting to do it my way.

Symbols are mirrors, so I know with every fibre of my being that I am the basket, while the Divine is the cover.   The Divine is calling me deeper.

 The interior of the basket reminds me of a mandala…….every mandala/journey begins at a point starting from the centre. The wooden strips branch out in many directions pointing to the many paths.  Some of those paths lead nowhere while others will have to be checked out and still other paths will lead me part way, only to realize that I will have to venture back to the centre. 

Isn’t that life……….travelling one path or another for a long time or a short time?

In a dream, I was asked to Be Still and Sit with God.  I woke up from the dream, sitting straight up in bed……….as the dream felt so real.

This morning my husband suggested that maybe I am being called to slow down as I am not 40 years old and can’t continue to move all the time.  He went on to explain that I don’t do just one or two things a day in the house - I clean, bake, do laundry, meals and then go snowshoe for 40 minutes or more.  I think he has a point………time to BE.

 Are you a Doing person or a Being person?

Do you have a symbol that speaks to you……….that mirrors your thoughts?

 

Thank for taking time out of your busy day to stop by..............hope you feel refreshed by being & maybe a few words will make you stop and think,  Enjoy the NB Sunshine.

See you Thursday...................................Marlene

 

 

 

Cyclist’s Ramblings…………sights, sounds, smells are always experienced on the morning trip but what about touch as well a bit of taste.  It amazes me what I hear as I cycle in the morning but I don’t wear earplugs with music blaring because I have to be so aware of sounds of vehicles.  Taking the turn on Otis Drive, I could hear a woodpecker in the woods playing the drum while the groundhog crouches low to the grass in the field ahead.  Brooks have slowed so the melody is soft & gentle……soothing.  Then I experience pure silence with no sounds from the animals or vehicles or brooks and even the bicycle tires don’t crunch on the small rocks.  Love that sound….joys of silence, of clarity. Looking down towards the mud mixed water are the loons….black & white (all colour & no colour) but very dominant to the eye.  On the left are two deer, one on each side of the driveway standing like statues on guard.  Such an awesome sight!  The last creature is a red fox standing on the yellow line watching me as I cycle towards him/her.  Is this fox going to turn & run or stand & greet me as I acknowledge the smell from the farm.  One would be led to believe that touch/feel doesn’t play a part in cycling.  When the wind hits my body to slow me down, then it makes me realize touch is a part of cycling or when the sun warms my arms and lastly when the bumps ricochet up the through the seat.  Take time to experience Nature……..stop-look-listen-smell-feel-view all the surroundings.

 

Let me know your experiences.

Thank you for stopping by see you on Tuesday.