I will not die an unlived life

I will not die an unlived life,
     I will not live in fear
          of falling or catching fire.
               I choose to inhabit my days,
                    to allow my living to open me,
                          to make me less afraid,
                               more accessible,
                                    to loosen my heart
                                         until it becomes a wing,
                                              a torch, a promise.
                                                    I choose to risk my significance;
                                                         to live so that which came to me as seed
                                                              goes to the next as blossom,
                                                                    and that which comes to me a blossom,
                                                                         goes on as fruit.
                                                                                        -DAWNA MARKOVA

May we all live our lives with the dedication, heart and hope of an Olympian!!   

                                                                                                                                           Cate

"Ha, Ha, He!"

When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy,
And the dimpling stream runs laughing by;
When the air does laugh with our merry wit,
And the green hill laughs with the noise of it;

When the meadows laugh with lively green,

And the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene,

When Mary and Susan and Emily

With their sweet round mouths sing "Ha, Ha, He!"

When the painted birds laugh in the shade,

Where our table with cherries and nuts is spread,

Come live and be merry, and join with me,

To sing the sweet chorus of  "Ha, Ha, He!"

-   William Butler Yeats, "Laughing Song"

I had a great day a work ... no meetings scheduled so I  cranked out tons of work 

while bopping to music at my desk!  I have a lot to get done, and the music kept me

enthused and charged ... that with occasional laughter shared with a visitor,

it made getting a lot of work done into a day of fun!

I'm so grateful for those who share laughter in my life!!

Laughter can turn a day around, 

and cure so many things!

And it is there for each of us,

always available,

and its FREE!!  

Laugh with me ... sparkle in the wonder of life!  

Cate

Peace Through Us

Peace be to me
Peace be to my brothers and sisters
     who are one with me.
Let all the world be blessed with peace through us.
                                        ADAPTED FROM A COURSE IN MIRACLES

Click link below for a new song ... so timely right now...

FORGIVENESS By Matthew West

I watched Wayne Dyer talking to Oprah today on a beautiful bluff in Hawaii.  A part of their discussion included the gift of surrounding yourself with the beauty of nature and with people who are Spirit-filled.  Both of them remembered people in their lives who were so centered that they just felt good to be around ... their spiritual centeredness was their greatest gift.  
What a great gift for all of us to strive to give ... it is a gift that gives to ALL, and keeps on giving :)  What are you doing today to live a Spiritually centered life?  
                                                                                                                                  cate

Compassionate Solidarity

May the God of justice and mercy unite us in

compassionate solidarity with all those in need, that our lives

may be just and merciful, and a source of her blessing

to many.

- MARCHIENE VROON RIENSTRA

There is sadness all around today ... from the local murder of a loving a kind gentleman

to the slaughter of  so many innocents in a movie theater in Colorado ...

violence and insanity have broken many hearts

this day.

The voice of fear and vengeance becomes loud and

contagious at a time like this.  Only faith and

compassion for all makes any sense

at a time like this.

May we all respond with love and compassion

for all.

~  Cate

To all that is fragile ....

To all that is brief and fragile
superficial, unstable,
To all that lacks foundation
argument or principles;
To all that is light,
fleeting, changing, finite
To smoke spirals,
wand roses,
To sea foam
and mists of oblivion ....
To all that is light in weight
for itinerants
on this transient earth
Somber, raving
with transitory words
and vaporous bubbly wines
I toast
in breakable glasses.
           -MARIA EUGENIA BAZ FERREIRA

I needed this reminder today ... that life in its very nature is transient, always changing, to be celebrated in its moment as it is ever changing!  When I begin to base my comfort or security solely upon some aspect of this life, I know I will eventually find myself standing upon a crumbling surface.  While i know that the crumbling is all a part of evolution and transformation, it can feel unsettling and frightening.

Today I was reminded to breathe in the strength and the love of the ONE who has ALL POWER ... and that made all the difference.  I am so grateful.    Cate

Let it begin with me

Mother, Father, God,
For the sacred circle of family and friendship,
we thank you and ask that, with your guidance,
we may widen and deepen those circles by touching
others with love and understanding.  Blessings be.
                                       -  Sue Patton Thoele
                           

Let it begin with me ....

                  Cate

Listen .....

Perhaps each of us have a starved place, and each of us
knows deep down what we need to fill that place.  To
find the courage to trust and honor the search, to
follow the voice that tells us what we need to do, even
when it doesn't seem to make sense, is a worthy
pursuit.
                                          - SUE BENDER

...and the answers will come ....

listen .....

cate

Through the eyes of a child

Oh, for the wonder
that bubbles into my soul.
           - D.H. Lawrence

The wonder of children watching fireworks while the crowd joins in collective ohhh's and ahhh's ... 

May we each take a moment today to receive this world through the eyes of a child!!!

Cate