An Audience of Trees

Some days I hike into the woods and sit in the trees, pondering life, breathing in that life-giving goodness. I try to focus on exactly what is around me, on exactly what I am feeling, what I hear, what I smell... As easy as it sounds, I find it hard not to let my mind wander into what will be. 

I attended a healing ceremony this past weekend. It helped me in many ways. I rested, I dreamed and I learned. One of the practices I learned to bring into my life is to try my best to focus on "the now." Such a cliché. I know. Be in the now, focus on the moment. Haven't we all been told this, haven't we all read this over and over? When does wisdom sink in, finally? Does it take a weekend of meditiation of an ancient kind? Does it take a weekend spent in a sanctuary of sorts? For me, I think it might just be exactly what it took.

But I know this is just the beginning of something. It will take a lifetime of practice  and discipline. It does seem a little quieter and more peaceful, that somehow, maybe I am closer to spirit? I hope this insight stays up front. By "up front" I mean, I hope this new wisdom does not get lost somewhere deep inside again. I must remember that I have this knowledge, that we all have this knowledge, this 'knowing.' The answers are there, we only need to tune in. Finding stillness and really listening, now therein lies the challenge! Quieting all the noise, tuning in, breathing in, taking care of oneself, finding the courage to step away from the ego...

Nothing is black or white. What might be black for one is purple for another, there is no absolute right or wrong. One has to feel it out, does it feel bad, does it feel good? Your senses are intuitive. They know!   We all live here, searching for something to hold onto, searching for value and happiness. When I asked both of my parents, separately, what they thought the purpose of life was, they both said "To have fun, to live a joyous life." Both of them worked really hard and are now retired, living out their own dreams now and I am beginning to see. We just have to look for it and we will see! See?

Life is long (unless it is cut short!) But if I live as long as my grandparents, I sure have a way to go! I can only hope that I will honour myself first and continue to honour you as well. We are all in this together, so let's help each other! Create smiles, create Love! (click on LOVE, you will see the most amazing and short documentary about an old man in Bermuda who shares his Love every day! Old man Johnny Barnes, I thank you!)

Here is another video, a music video, that I think sums up what I have been saying here quite nicely. One of my dear and musical friends from across the ocean, just released it... Click HERE to watch :) And please, inspire, and be inspired!

Love,

Lindsay xo

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Come People

There is a river rushing outside my window. You can hear it and it runs pretty quickly especially after a long rain, which is happening right now. The river here is not one for diving into, as it is mostly shallow, but it is crystal clear and you can bend down to drink it's glorious cold right from your hand.

I also hear the harmony of bells from the sheep and miniature ponies, grazing on the long green grasses in our fields around this old farm house.

I Love to open all the windows and just revel in all the sounds that are flowing in. The days and nights are getting colder though, and this unique soundtrack will be missed. Living here in Switzerland is different from our Canadian life, but similarities balance both. The food may taste a little different, friends and family have different ways and faces and the hills around here may be a little steeper than those in the Gatineau.

Bottom line though, I have learned through travel and massive change, that you will be who you are wherever you live. You will find things that piss you off and you will find ways to bring joy into your life. You live with yourself your entire life and the way to get through it is not running away hoping for a deep, profound change from within. This ideal/new “solution” will last until the newness rubs off, and then it's back to you again. You with all your fear, strength, insecurities, happiness, anger; over all mood swings (that may or may not be a part of your life.)

Some folks look at me with stars and dreams in their eyes when I talk about living between two countries. For the most part, I do not see it that way. I used to, when I first came here forever ago, it was so new and I was given a fresh perspective for awhile, but me and my life will follow me wherever I go, there is no escape! There is only will. Will to keep going, will to better oneself, will to face fear, will to accept fear, will to conquer fear, will to eat better, will to be better, will to make art (in some form) a part of your life (cinema, art exhibits, baking, reading, music, whatever, there is so much choice in artful ways!!)

Finding the will to teach and to learn is also fundamental. Finding that balance between hearing and being heard...There is no simple way to blast through this cosmos, we are all one in this case, and we can all do it. I suppose accepting that there will be days filled with frown and days filled with smile, and sometimes the two shall meet. Wherever we are in this world, one foot in front of the other, trying to find our way through this beautiful and sad place, knowing we are not alone in the battle but rather we are one. Now HERE is a profound and beautiful heart lifting song that might just hammer that last nail in about what I am going on about... Music speaks louder after all! Introducing Xavier Rudd's COME PEOPLE.