Fingers on Fire

The fire in time burns just right, here I type in an attempt to align. I sit reminding myself after hearing from my friend whose navigating an excruciating divorce, after doom scrolling the Lahaina fires, after flabbergasting over the Israel-Palestine heartbreak, too – write! Many feelings, thoughts and prayers have come to pass but when all feels out of my hands how is best to proceed? Write. Rather than allow this fire to get picked up by the wind (now that’s a wildfire, chaotic and destructive) I write to contain the warmth (to tap into creation, nourishment and cultivation).

The imagery I get is from dust to flesh. Before we return to dust, how does one maximize their flesh, their current skin, their current climate (personal, political, communal, environmental, technological)? There’s so much to consider. I’ve been tossing for the last few weeks but the salad is dressed and ready for the fire. I mean have you ever had roasted romaine?! It doesn’t matter matter what skin you’re in, you’ve gotta try it at least once! I digress, but not for long!

Yesterday, I made it to Sunset Beach just in time to catch the sun’s descent into the evening. Did you know the last 20 minutes are extra special?! I heard along the way that gazing into the sun during it’s plunge is nourishing on many levels. I was probably the only person in all black, slacks and a long sleeve polo shirt in that particular setting but after lucking out on a parking spot I sped to the shore to find my seat. After the healthy dose of Vitamin D, peace and salty, sandy feet I made my way back to my car to go for a long jog. As I sat dusting my legs for my wardrobe change, a man came up to me and asked how I do it! How do you get “there?” He was asking me how I meditate. You see, my seat consisted of sitting with my legs crossed, my hands resting in my lap and my head held high. I shared my practice in hopes of helping him find peace with his. He expressed his frustration for thoughts that kept coming up. The gnarly thing is I drove home quietly thanking him for the peace he brought me. 

When I started this blog I wanted to write once a week. With everything going on these past few weeks in addition to my own navigation at work and at home I was quietly beating myself up because I wasn’t “there.” When I look at something like the practice of meditation, you don’t get “there” just by wanting to, it takes something so amazing! It takes time.

There’s birth and death, a start and a finish, emotions, actions and results, but it’s clear, the power in your seat. Do you sit in it? Or try to get to the next feeling, the next moment or next destination? Though sometimes “there” feels so far away we’ve got time (check!) and we’ve got attention (check, check!) and we must remember our intention. We’re closer than we’ve ever been (check, check, check!)! I intend on creating a rich community, harnessing the elements in a harmonious way. Just gotta keep practicing.