It's Old is the New New Thing

Dear America,

this morning finds me captivated by dual realities...

the reality of what we see happening in our daily lives, alongside the greater reality of something really huge -- that being, that which God wills.

When we really come to know, deep down, that our world is shaped by a Higher Will, a Higher Purpose under heaven, so to speak, we finally arrive at that quintessential, emotional point of light.  

We release,  

Pressure is off.  

We breathe into our day and are rest assured all is well -- and if not all is well, then most definitely, all is not done (yet).

It's by this kind of faith -- for those of us traveling a belief system set forth at our country's founding--  we find relief, even as our whole entire world seems to be on fire.

This makes me think of my latest discovery here at home.

And for a little background first -- 

my days and evenings usually end in the same spot:  at my window --

at my window, overlooking the grounds covered in eucalyptus and pine, jacaranda and oleander, natural sagebrush, red apple ice plant,  a busy city street, and a Starbucks. 

I keep a stash of some of my favorite reads for inspiration -- Bible, The Quiet Mind, Essential Thinkers by Thomas Paine, As a Man Thinketh by James Allen...

Morning comes, and my path takes me directly from the kitchen, with a cup of coffee fresh in hand, to the window.  And it is there I stop... for as long as it takes (he he).

Evening comes, and again,  my path takes me directly from the kitchen, with a glass of wine (or whiskey!) fresh in hand, to the window.  And again, it is there, I stop ...for as long as it takes. 

Point is, my days start and stop at the same spot nearly every darned day.  And while I don't get into my personal whirlwind all that much -- consciously keeping more fully engaged with the politics and paradigms and propaganda of our times -- today, I will veer just a wee bit from the common G. (What a treat, right?)

so anywho,

As the world turns, the day may start and stop at the same spot, but perspective is constantly in flux.  What a joy!   And what a curse!  And what a beautiful life it truly is!

SO --

A couple of weeks ago -- while enjoying a spring break with nearly nothing to do.  I did exactly that --nothing.   All week long, I "putzed"  around the house -- doing what I like to call, re-decorating.  But let's be real, shall we -- it's merely just moving things around.  [Never discount a change in perspective...no matter how little or how small, even if we must manufacture it virtually out of thin air from within.]

And I napped.  I cooked, only minimally -- but somehow seemed to eat all day long.  

And I didn't even think about writing.   Not even once.   

So for the week, I pretty much lounged -- I lounged in the good ole California sunshine as if without a care in the world.  [And for those who really know me KNOW that I have a few cares in the world going on all around me...most of which I have absolutely no control, much like the brunt of us, am I right?] 

And perhaps, due to my empty nest syndrome going on within my four walls these days, it has left a void to fill; leaving ample room to mull and contemplate and basically freak over just how intense the trials of the entire world have grown from day to day.

So for many days in the last several months, let's just say, it was easy for the window to find me sad.  

Buried by the natural, yet conflicting emotions, of having my baby girl living on the opposite side of the country --  it has become rather easy to get lost in the thoughts of what is lost.  

And yet, given that I live for being the Half-Full Kind of Girl to the umpteenth degree, I revel in what is changing for both myself and my girl.  How beautiful it is in every way.

So here I am, in this reality of fighting with my own reality, but loving it at the same time, but sensing an inner turmoil always at the ready to bubble to the surface -- I often sit.  

Only, while on this spring break, I broke with tradition.  

I made my way all the way to the front stoop.

I sat myself out in the open air, where the sweeping branches of the eucalyptus tree nearly reach out and touch me.  And while I sat there, letting the morning sun warm my heart and soul I looked up.

And just as I do from my window, my thoughts went to prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for my needs, and plenty of prayers for my dreams.  And just as it usually happens, I end up just pleading for the courage to just follow "Thy will."  Just let me know what to do and I'll do it, I cry out from the spirit of my inner child of God.

And it was on one of these days -- outside -- away from the comfort and convention of my window seat, that something all of a sudden shakes me to the very core.  For as I looked up, I saw it.

Unbeknownst to me,  there it was -- perched above the cornerstone of my window,  amounting to a mere few feet above my head but apparently an infinite number of degrees in separation -- a nest.

And instantly, I laugh.

I get a little hysterical actually.  And I couldn't stop laughing.

I laughed until I cried. 

And I  thought to myself, oh this is rich.  Ripe for the taking, the immediate symbolism left me utterly stunned.  

But then, feeling every bit of my fifty somethen somethen somethen years and fully recognizing a crossroad when I see it   -- either the universe was rubbing it in my face with aplomb and a side of bird doo  OR, it was sending me a message, a gift, a blessing of a new perspective, verily filling my void with a tangible, natural, beautiful expression of a full nest. Boom. 

Clearly, it was what I needed in that moment; it was an offering, a gentle reminder of the organic possibilities of the circle of life and love,.. no matter how large or how small, and even if we must manufacture it virtually out of thin air from within.  Because, half-full is better than nothing.

The thing is, if we stop long enough, and keep our mouth shut long enough, we are supported by Something far greater than we can ever really imagine.  It's the Stuff that which all life comes. And It usually sends us exactly what we need -- and more than that, in equal portion to our needs, matching our efforts, our attitude of gratitude and grace.

Contemplating the conflicting multiple personalities and realities in America, alongside that which we all dream it to be, is a matter of great debate.  

And when I say great, I mean really Great.

Somehow, we must remain steadfast in our faith in Something Larger than Life at the top, orchestrating a Higher Purpose for it all, and let go.

Creation is always in flux;  there is a reason for the trials, just as much as there is a reason for our joys.  We win some and lose some, and then start all over again.

Sure, there is always what I like to call "the good fight" -- withIn and withOut, but truth is, our realities are really not in conflict at all.   It's all good; it's all God; and it's always in flux when discussing anything involving being human.

There was most certainly a reason for the Revolutionary War; just as there was a reason for the Civil War.   It's all good at work.

There is a reason for the culture war happening today and at the core of perhaps the most trying era in American history since the 60's -- and how it all ends will remain to be seen -- it's all being busy right now, wrestling with that which is most certainly unseen. 

With the winds of change,  perspective shifts, actions of vigilance move us, nests are built and even re-imagined, while a sense of revival gives us courage and strength to give it our very best in each new day.

It's what we all live for, right.

On another subject -- even though we have always known negotiating with terrorists is NEVER a good idea --   now, gaining perspective on the possible war with Iran as we are right in the middle of negotiating a total bend over on the Nuke deal, should give us all reason for pause, on a number of fronts.  But we will have to shelve that for another day, for things here were just looking up and we were having such a good day getting all introspective and all.  [But if you care... here's more on that, if you dare to look.]

Let's go back to what we live for...

Love your kids.

Teach them well.

Do your best.

Teach your kids to do their best, too.

And so on,

And all the while, here's something funny I recently came across; and given all the choices at my discretion, in the end,  it just might be the best way to come to a full stop and sit at the proverbial window and contemplate :  

OLD

is the new

NEW

yup.

In so many ways....the reality is, it just might be.

Make it a Good Day, G