Jonathan Livingston Seagull

The book written by Richard Bach is a story about a seagull learning about life, flight and self-perfection. It was published in 1970 and by 1972 had sold over a million copies, coming in as #1 on the N.Y. Times Bestseller list for 38 weeks straight.
Jonathan is frustrated with the seagull life of squabbling over food, boredom and materialism. He seeks a new passion for flight and sets out on many journeys. He reaches new heights and learns everything he can by meeting new gulls who also love to fly. His teacher shows him how to "move instantaneously to anywhere in the universe." I see this as similar to meditation. It's like taking your mind to new dimensions by focusing, practice and dedication. The story is inspiring to take new chances, reach new heights and try new things. This book has much more to it than I explained here and I encourage you to read it, its short, about 100 pages. I loved the book when I first read it, so I borrowed the movie from a friend and enjoyed that too. Now I also own the book on record that a found while rummaging at the Truro swap shop. All are equally great but the book is my favorite because as a read it in my own voice I can relate to Jonathan and his humble attitude about his choices and desire to share his happiness with everyone. This is a wonderful story with great imagination!
Today as I walked along the beach of Nauset Inlet I saw this lone seagull sitting on a rock and taking in the beauty of it's surroundings just as I was. I thought of Jonathan and remembered the great inspiration he gives me so I came home and read the book again. It's still just as good and I would recommend it to anyone.

Flowers

in bloom on January 31st.

"Whenever I reflect on Nature, I think of unspoiled places with timeless scenery and infinite potential, of towering forests, snowcapped mountains, fields of wildflowers and hungry bees to pollinate them. Whatever nature means to me, it almost always involves an absence of people. From a purely academic perspective, people and nature are irrefutably interconnected. We slithered out of the seas some 400 million years ago and continue to live, breathe, die. Sure we can be in nature, and some of us claim to "commune" with her. But to fully appreciate the gifts that nature provides, one must revere her strength, her genuine, untainted beauty."
"Nature's Splendors" by Abbe Pascal

Mastery

"Dedication to the pursuit of spiritual wisdom and the common sense use of that wisdom have filled the initiate's life with such joy of being that she cannot help but express it through her daily interaction with the world." -Shapeshifter by D.J.Conway and Sirona Knight

This is so true for me. I chose a tarot card this morning and it once again was very reassuring that my connections with nature are real and relevant. I feel very dedicated to the spiritual world and always make time and effort to acknowledge it everyday. I honestly just can't help it, it comes from the heart and makes me feel so good. At times I've ignored it or pushed it away but lately I've fully embraced the wisdom I have achieved and celebrate the joy of being.

Well said

"A viable future needs it's champions, those who will defend not only their own self-interest but function and belonging in nature."
- John Hay
Brewster, MA
(from "In Defense of Nature")

Cape Cod Rail Trail

As I walked along the trail today, I enjoyed it's beauty and began to think about the history and important role it played in Cape Cod's development. I did some research about the railroad and came across many pictures from the 1940's and was intrigued by the difference of how the Cape Cod Rail Trail looks today.

From its 1848 arrival in Sandwich, the railroad had played a varied and vital role on Cape Cod with 94 miles of track connecting Buzzards Bay,Woods Hole, Hyannis and Provincetown. The rail service helped encourage tourism by providing reliable transportation for visitors and for the goods to fuel the growing regional economy. One of the Cape's earliest rail travelers in 1849 was Henry David Thoreau who is one of my favorite nature writers. In the 1930's the automobile began offering independence from the train schedule and the importance of it soon surpassed so the track was reduced to 38 miles. By 1959 the railroad was no longer used as passenger service and mainly just for delivering cargo and goods until the late 60's when it was shut down indefinitely.

In the mid 70's the tracks were torn up and all station houses removed. Shortly after that the trail was paved piece by piece throughout the towns and used primarily for recreation. Now the paved path runs 28 miles along the abandoned railroad bed from S. Dennis to Wellfleet. Bicyclers, walkers, joggers and horseback riders all enjoy the trail. It is a pleasant ride along a natural Cape landscape and offers a variety of scenery from marshes, ponds, Cape Cod Bay and foliage throughout all the seasons. I have used the trail since I was very young and I feel a strong connection to it's history of passengers
whom also came here to be inspired by this special place.

Dolphin

"When dolphin shows up it is time to breathe some new life into yourself. Get out, play, explore and most of all breathe."
-Ted Andrews, Animal Speak

This totem is right on point today. There has been some dolphin strandings at nearby beaches and I read about them yesterday on a friends Facebook page. 6 were stranded because of the drastic tides here that go out so far and so quickly. 5 of them were saved but one had already died when the IFAW(international Fund for Animal Welfare) team arrived. It was sad to hear about the one that didn't make it but i do understand that death is a part of the natural world and these kind of things happen in the cycle of life.
I went to wellfleet today to stop by the free shop and go for a walk. I went to Indian Neck Beach which is across a small bay from where the dolphins had been stranded on Great Island. Sure enough over the night the one dolphin left behind had been taken by the tide across the bay and beached on the one that I chose to walk on today. It was like something pulled me in that direction. I am thankful to have had came upon the dolphin as I said a prayer for it knowing my thoughts and words were heard.

Fire

So warm by the wood stove right now, I love it! I wrote down a few pages of things that are bothering me or holding me back from feeling the best I can. I crumpled up the paper and threw it in the fire knowing it'll help rid of those negative thoughts I was having. It felt great watching them catch fire and disappear. Slowly they burned and I feel happiness by ridding of those confining emotions.

Animal-Speak by Ted Andrews

This is one of my favorite books that belonged to my Mother. You look up an animal, bird or reptile that you have encountered or thought of and it gives you the meaning of their roles within your life.

"The natural world and the animals within it speak to us everyday: by their appearances, behaviors, movements, and characteristic patterns. When we know what to look for, we can use them as omens-not in a superstitious sense, but in the development of true prophecy and higher perception."
-Ted Andrews

This morning I sat down on the couch with my coffee and put on the movie Dolphin Tale that I'd been watching the night before but didn't finish. It's a good movie, kinda sad but inspiring. Im tired, a little under the weather, bored, broke and thinking about all the bills that need to be paid. Also missing my Mom and wishing I felt inspired to get up and do something productive. I looked outside as a shadow caught my eye and a big crow landed on a branch just outside my window. It bounced and swayed on the branch as the winter wind was blowing hard through the trees. I studied its dark black shiny feathers and strong stance. It stayed there for a few minutes and I knew it was a sign from nature giving me a glimpse of what I know is within me, creativity, strength and motivation. So I got up to get my Animal Speak book off the shelf and read about crows;

"Wherever crows are, there is magic. They are symbols of creation and spiritual strength. They remind us to look for opportunities to create and manifest the magic of life. They are messengers calling to us about the creation and magic that is alive within our world everyday and available to us." -Ted Andrews

This was perfect! Usually I don't look at crows as a sign of inspiration but it reminded me today, to open my eyes to everything in nature. It gave me a topic to write about, contemplate and focus on and now I feel a whole lot better.

Creating

I love making things in nature. It has been an outlet of mine for a long time but the last few years I have really used nature as my canvas. I began creating hearts in the sand in memory of my Mother who passed away almost 3 years ago. The first time that I knelt down in the sand and drew a heart for her was an amazing experience. I could feel her looking down at me from the heavens and smiling at my creation for her. I continued making hearts on the beach, in the woods or anywhere it felt right. I make them out of natural elements such as stones and sticks and always leave them behind. It is so healing for me and as I make them I talk aloud to my Mom telling her how much I miss and love her. I share pictures of my hearts in a book that I have written about my path of grief and how nature, writing and creativity have been my greatest tools for coping with loss. I want to publish my writings and will share them as soon as that happens. Today I set out on a walk with intentions to create and feel a connection with my Mom. I was walking through the woods where I found a piece of twine stuck in some branches. I unravelled it and carried it along with me thinking of something that i could make out of it. I was at Fort Hill which is where the first recorded Native Americans made a fort on the hill overlooking the ocean so they could see incoming boats. There is this really neat rock there that has scrapes, grooves and smooth areas where the Indians would sharpen their tools such as knives, axes and arrows. There is much Native American history here and it always makes me feel safe and content when I'm walking the trails that they once inhabited. I was still wondering what to make out of my twine as I thought of my Mom and her love for Native American art and culture. Then I knew what to make, a dream catcher. I walked around looking for a round circular shape already made naturally by branches and trees. It took a little while until I found it. In the sun in a nice quiet place I started by tying a knot at the top of the thorny branch and looping it around in a clockwise direction over and over until it was complete. I added a few ferns hanging off the bottom that were blowing along the path by my feet. It came out perfect. I thanked my Mom and the energy of the Native Americans for aiding in my creation. I sat down in front of my dream catcher with the sun beating down on my face and meditated for a few minutes. It was the spiritual connection I'd been longing for and I am "catching my dreams" by seeking guidance, change, movement and creative inspiration.

Patience

It sure is a virtue! (which means positive trait or admirable quality.) It is something that I have to work on daily and constantly remind myself of, to calm down, relax and enjoy the moment. Tonight I'm waiting at the bus stop for my boyfriend who's returning from a week long trip in California. He was supposed to arrive 15 mins ago and just texted that it would be another 30. The wait isn't making me mad or frustrated I'm just excited to see him and recognizing the need to remind myself to do something positive right now rather than be bored or stare at the bus stop entrance until his arrival. I was just messaging with a friend who said how cliche it was that I'm waiting at the bus stop for my lover in the rain. It is a perfect night, misty, nice temperature and not too cold for January. It is romantic and exciting to see him here on this evening of glistening pavement and my hearts racing everytime a bus pulls in. We have been together for 8 years this February and patience throughout our relationship has been a key tool to our happiness and lives together. It takes hard work to understand someone else and to be patient with them but it's the best thing you can do for each other.

I take care of a friend of mines son who is autistic. I have known him sine he was about 10 and he is 23 now. He cannot communicate well with anyone and it is hard at times when he repeats himself and cannot control his body movements. It's sad and i try to be as kind and accepting as I can. Often i have repeat the word patience over and over again to get through the most difficult times. It's rewarding to just let him take his time without becoming aggravated.

Another time I focus on patience is in my yoga classes. The Bikram (hot yoga,) I've been taking is very challenging. Sometimes I get down on myself for not feeling like I accomplished the right pose or if I lost my balance too quickly. I just take a deep breath and know that i will get better with more practice, time and patience.

Laughter

To feel a triumphant or exultant sense of well-being.

One of the best things that I enjoy everyday is laughing. It makes me happy and content to be surrounded by people and things that make me laugh. It creates a feeling of being alive and present. My sisters and I recently laughed so hard it made us cry. I was beat red, body shaking and could barely hold it together when the waiter came to our table. It was fun and reminded me of being young in church with my sisters and laughing uncontrollably while the room was silent. Smiling often is important too. There are 3 things I try to remember throughout my day and to smile often is one of them. Even if I'm just reading, driving, walking or standing in line somewhere, a smile makes my whole body feel good and keeps me staying positive. The other 2 daily mantras of mine are breathe deeply and stand tall. I find myself being more present when I take a few deep breaths, stand up tall and smile. It gives me confidence and reminds me of my yoga and meditation practice that makes me feel so good. I do these small daily tasks that make a difference in my day to day life and create peace within myself. Take a deep breathe, stand tall, smile, laugh, and love yourself, often.

Think good

Manifest-clear or obvious to the eye or mind.

This is the feeling I get when I know i have manifested something to be true. It all started a long time ago when I would write something down I needed or wanted. I use detail and keep the list up to see everyday. I found both the houses I've lived in that way when I've listed all the qualities I want in my living space. Also, I make vision boards where I cut out magazine words and pictures and paste them on a poster board. I do this with time and great thought of the next chapter that I'm manifesting in my life. This is fun and exciting for me, I have made one each year for the past 5 years, it's a great way to start off the new year with clear intentions and desires. I also use my manifestations with clothing. Things I hope to own or find when shopping. I mostly use this at the local free shop we have here on the Cape. Last winter I imagined a black j.crew peacoat to be there for my boyfriend. So i went there and yes I found the exact one i had in mind. Also, I've really been wanting winter boots with a rubber toe, and lace up the front in a tan color. I went to the free shop called Mass Appeal yesterday and there they were. It's so true, manifestations work.

Meditation

Close your eyes, breathe deeply, relax, go inward, imagine, receive, accept and enjoy. This is what meditation means to me. I did an online 5 min Ocean guided meditation by Deepak Chopra this morning. He described a serene beach, lush nature, beauty, warmth, sound of a slight breeze, birds singing and the smell of tropical flowers and fruit. It felt really to good to visit this place in my mind feeling nurtured, content and whole. The meditation was finished with this quote;

"Joy is a return to the deep harmony of body, mind, and spirit that was yours at birth and that can be yours again. That openness to love, that capacity for wholeness with the world around you,is still within you." -Deepak Chopra

Hot stuff

Bikram yoga tonight was amazing! Very sweaty, very hot! I pushed myself hard and am feeling the benefits of the challenging vigorous class. I felt energized right after and was focused, now i am relaxed and tired. In class i enjoyed the breathing techniques at the beginning and end. The teacher was thorough with her description of poses and had us go into shavasana often. The first time for 2 mins and the next ones for 10-20 seconds. The short rest was enough to rejuvenate and regulate my breath, getting ready for the next pose. Each one is done two times with a short rest in between. I will drink more water next time prior to class but that's the only thing I'd change, great class! Go to Bikram Yoga Brewster on Underpass rd. :) See you tomorrow.