From the Heart
Beautiful day here on the South Coast of England yesterday. Here are some shots I took in the evening of the tide coming back in. The water was so warm I walked along paddling in it for miles, so far I didn’t actually know where I was when I climbed from the beach.
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Everybody meditates nowadays, there are umpteen classes for it and millions of guided meditations on the net, but is that always the best thing, does it work in a class of twenty other people or through the medium of technology. It doesn’t for me that’s for sure, for me to really be in a mediative state it’s better if I’m alone.
Meditation isn’t about sitting crossed legged and reciting a mantra, even more so if you don’t cross your legs naturally and you’re aware of the discomfort in your legs. If I meditate sitting down it has to be in a high backed easy chair, a chair that I might take a nap in, not one in which I’d eat my dinner.
For me to meditate, I have to be alone, but saying that I could be doing anything which includes cooking and cleaning. When we are focussed on something like peeling and chopping vegetables it’s the ideal time to settle the mind. I have often brought a meal to the table and wondered where I’ve been to get it. You see, I loose myself in cooking, I go off somewhere else and in doing so I somehow find myself. Cooking and cleaning are good for me, because I watch what I’m doing, remaining focussed without letting my mind wonder. It’s not something I’ve practiced, just something I’ve come to realise.
Walking in nature is probably one of my favourite meditation techniques, just being, with mother nature around me, not as myself but part of everything. I love to be in the woods, parks or beautiful gardens and away from anyone else. The seashore too, watching the tide come in and flow out again, letting everything else fall away.
I’m not a fan of guided meditations, it might be something to do with my imagination, I have always walked down the steps, along the shore, looked at the sky or whatever it is before I am instructed to do so. This totally throws me off and brings me back into the room quicker than you like.
Daydreaming is different, allowing your imagination to take you, that is something I can do quite easily. I just send my mind off somewhere else and see what comes up, it’s like telling a story, but the interesting thing is the story often has a message I wouldn’t have found outside of my daydreaming.
People beat themselves up because they haven’t meditated and they should have, I used to, I felt terrible that I hadn’t practiced. Now I just live, I find time for myself, time to go deeper in all the things I do each day. The key I think is finding time for yourself outside of life, being at peace with yourself and the world and taking that deep breath.
So how do you meditate?
~
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The people who are meant to will always come into our lives, it’s destined and agreed in a time and place we forgot.
~ Liza
lizalizaskysaregrey©2017
So if you really want to eat me,
you will have to catch me first.
I will not make it easy for you,
I’m fast so you’ll work up a thirst.
I’m called duck as I have pluck,
I won’t give up life just like that.
If you really are that inclined,
why don’t you eat your pet cat.
Oh yes, my beak is quite a tool,
I’ll go first for your eyes if I can.
Really I’d think about it my friend,
why don’t you become a vegan.
I can’t quite get my head around the fact that people want to eat these beautiful creatures, life and let live they say, but surely that goes for all. ~
lizalizaskysaregrey©2017
If I could just pluck up the courage,
I’d live a life far more true.
If I could just pluck up the courage,
I’d be more honest with you.
If I could just pluck up the courage,
I’d jump off the cliff like a bird.
If I could just pluck up the courage,
I’d shout until I was heard.
If I could just pluck up the courage,
I’d stamp out hate on the earth.
If I could just pluck up the courage,
sometimes I’d put myself first.
If I could just pluck up the courage,
I’d follow a path that is clear.
If I could just pluck up the courage,
I’d keep those promises dear.
If I could just pluck up the courage,
I’d sing to the stars and the moon.
If I could just pluck up the courage,
I really would come into bloom.
And if I ever have enough courage,
I’ll do what I’m destined to do.
When I do have enough courage,
I’ll take you along with me to.
Now that I have enough courage,
I’m making the changes I should.
I really do have enough courage,
to bring to my life all that’s good.
~
lizalizaskysaregrey©2017
To reach an understanding of lightness we first need to walk through the tunnel of darkness, only through experiencing the harsh darkness of the tunnel will we truly see the light up ahead.
~ Liza
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With my eyes I truly know you,
with my eyes I see your heart.
With my ears I hear your music,
A song that will always restart.
With my hand I hold your hand,
my hand can feel your touch.
With my body I adore your own,
with love that is so very much.
These eyes of mine are honest,
see your passions so very near.
These ears of mine are opening,
as your music is all they hear.
These hands of mine are gentle,
it is only your body they feel.
This body of mine is connected,
to your soul that is so very real.
~
My attempt at a love poem, not easy as I’m not what you call a romantic, but I thought I’d give it a go 😉
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I’ve met some beautiful people the last few years, more beautiful than I could have imagined and some of these I haven’t even met. Some of these people will be reading this now, I adore you.
There’s a lot of negativity about the internet, social media and relationships we think we make there. I agree with a lot of it but not as much as I once did because I have really met some beautiful people. Now I’m not naive, I don’t take in all the clap trap banded about on the internet, in fact a large percentage of it is rubbish but I have also learnt from it, been introduced to concepts and philosophies I might not have otherwise encountered.
I think it’s mainly blogging that has brought me to this conclusion, because some of the people I have been lucky enough to meet through the blogging community have the biggest open hearts. Their art, whether it be the written word, poetry, photography or anything else speaks of their passion, they show their vulnerabilities and speak their truth, these people have found their voice.
I started blogging to cope with grief, it was my channel. I was inconspicuous and nobody knew who I was, so it was safe. I had a few followers, which were friends and family so it was easy to be myself. I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve but not quite as openly. I showed my vulnerability and through writing started to recover.
Along the way I got a few followers, it grew and I now have quite a lot in terms of my initial expectations. I started to talk to people, found we had things in common, was encouraged by their thoughtful comments and uplifted by their outlook on life. I’ve swapped emails, telephone numbers and broken my own rule of not allowing anyone I’ve not been in the same room as on my Facebook feed.
I’ve met a couple of people who I’ve met through the internet in person and now consider them good friends, next week I’m meeting another and I might just get down to North Devon to share a scone with another if I’m lucky. My days of thinking that internet relationships are dodgy are behind me. I’m not stupid, I know there are a lot of people out for themselves, probably half my followers, don’t really follow me, only clicked follow so I would follow back, only like so I might look at their stuff but there are a few special people out there that I am privileged to have met.
Reading what others have to say has lifted me, wonderful thought provoking posts that have helped me along my journey. The incredible art of the photographers I follow has inspired me greatly, cooks and health experts teach me, all of these brighten my days. These special people I have met through the blogging community are as real as anyone I’ve met and the reason I know that is because I experience their hearts through their work, hear their voices and see through their eyes. I feel for them and laugh with them while they laugh at themselves, their laughter heals me, it makes me whole.
So yes I know the internet is full of a lot of darkness but you my friends bring light to my day.
lizalizaskysaregrey©2017
As each fruit ripens, the branch lets go. As each fruit falls away it makes room for another. Such is the cycle of life, an eternal fruit tree, nourishing, growing and setting free.
~ Liza
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Oh, to sail and wander the seas
by sailing boat or steam.
Just sailing along on the water,
my life would be a dream.
To bathe with all the sea creatures,
take showers in the rain.
While living the life of a sailor,
going out to sea again.
So pipe me out of the harbours,
send me up to the nest.
Give me a compass in my hand,
as the sea presents its test.
Spotting new land on a horizon,
seeing cliffs as they loom.
Putting a message in my bottle,
right under a silvery moon.
~
lizalizaskysaregrey©2017
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