Making the Holidays, Holy Days

As I enter the close of this year, with all that has occurred within my family, the world and myself, I find it can be easy for me to get lost in the intensity of life. In order to cope with this, I’ve leaned more into my personal practices, which are becoming deeper and more grounded. I’m so grateful for the time I now have to devote to these nourishing practices. 

One practice I am consciously working on is that of living one day at a time, staying present in the moment. The past couple of years have shown that Life is a moving target. I can hope to decide what my next step is in my life, but as we’ve all seen, things change quickly and unexpectedly. I’m finding that when I can accept what is, and not try to control, resist or fix it,  that I can more effectively respond to what life is bringing.   

I have dear friends and family who are experiencing challenging life situations; losses, disappointments and health issues. I have been able to offer more support in a way that feels connective and timely. Each day, each connection, is holy if I stay present. I find myself more accepting of life when I don’t try to predict or control the outcome of what life is bringing. My spiritual practices have paved the way for this moment in time. There is a serenity in surrendering with open eyes and open heart. (A good sense of humor goes a long way, too!) 

I use to try to control so much more when I had Desert Song as a business. I guess that was what was needed at the time.  Today I am in present time within life and allowing Grace to guide me more from moment to moment.  It is definitely not a place I have been comfortable with in the past. But now I am practicing living more slowly, with faith and a true feeling of contentment.   

I don’t know when I will be back to teaching, but I do know that I will one day, for I miss it dearly. For now, I will observe the numbers in the pandemic, offer my love and free time to my family members and bask in my personal practices. Here’s a poem I would like to share from Tara Mohr. 

The Quiet Power

I walked backwards, against time
and that’s where I caught the moon,
singing at me.

I steeped downwards, into my seat
and that’s where I caught freedom,
waiting for me, like a lilac.

I ended thought, and I ended story.
I stopped designing, and arguing, and
sculpting a happy life.

I didn’t die. I didn’t turn to dust.

Instead I chopped vegetables,
and made a calm lake in me
where the water was clear and sourced and still.

And when the ones I loved came to it,
I had something to give them, and
it offered them a soft road out of pain.

I became beloved.

And I came to know that this was it.
The quiet power.
I could give something mighty, lasting,
that stopped the wheel of chaos,

by tending to the river inside,
keeping the water rich and deep,
keeping a bench for you to visit.

– Tara Mohr

Wishing you a holiday filled with many moments of sweet serenity.

With love and gratitude,

MaryBeth