Sometimes
Sometimes I just love a good surprise.
And sometimes I just really like a good excuse to bust out the camera.
But mostly, I just like to be reminded that I am loved.
2011
So that 2011 resolution about not procrastinating? Given that it’s well into the first week of January and only now have I gotten around to writing this, I think it’s safe to say that I failed dismally at tackling that one. But don’t judge me too harshly, I’ve been busy reflecting.
I was prepared to write a long rambling post about 2010 compared to 2011, but it can all be summed up in some pretty simple words. Heavy vs. light. Blocked vs. clear. I grew into myself a little bit in 2011 and that has changed the entire game for me.
I know my documentation efforts have been heinous this year, but here are 2011 highlights, in no particular order:
1. Travelling (Montreal, London [x2], Amsterdam, Vancouver, New England)
2. Snowboarding (all over the place!)
3. Cycling (I still won’t admit I enjoy this, hmph!)
4. Photographing (Film!)
5. Cooking (Baking! Eating!)
6. Moving (!!!)
7. Crying (Just a little bit — it wasn’t all hunky dory, and I’m ok with that!)
8. Living (See Item 11: Cliche-ing)
9. Laughing (Belly laughs all day every day!)
10. Loving (My heart is full enough to burst!)
11. Cliche-ing (I’m still the cliche queen, after all.)
I cradled 2010 in my arms, afraid that it would shatter if I handled it too roughly. But 2011, I learned that taking the bull by the horns and indulging in a little spontaneity were good things.
2012…I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me.
100 Days
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
–Khalil Gibran, The Prophet, On Death
So much has happened since I rushed home from work 100 days ago, only to find myself out of my territory and resorting to taking photos of our pets because that was the only thing I could think to do that still felt normal and familiar.
Traveling, working, loving, living, healing. Life goes on, yes.
But still I like to think that the sunset we had last night as we left church was a sign from the Great Unknown for us to be rest assured that what was taken away 100 days ago was safe and sound.
Wherever you are, I hope you’re watching over us as you dance.
Not November Yet
And yet there appears to be this cold frozen substance falling from the sky right now.
What could it be, because I’m pretty sure it’s still October and winter is still months away, right? RIGHT?!
Mother Nature, quit messing with me please…
It’s Here
It’s that time of the year again. I busted out the yarn box last weekend and proceeded to bury myself in wooly goodness.
If you need me, I’ll be in my hidey hole, being soothed by the click-clacking of my knitting needles.
Until we meet again.