Early Morning Musings Under the Cottonwood Tree
Last week in Arizona was wonderful. While I missed my family, I was blissed out in the stillness I find at our home there. It opens me to an awareness of more than just where I am… I can ‘feel’ more, hear more. I don’t know how to explain it, it’s part of that great Mystery That Has No Words.
Last Tuesday morning, for the third day in a row, I sat outside and watched the yellow blossoms dance with the morning wind. I realized that there was a real difference in the morning light and the afternoon light. Colors are different, the same only different. Again – not easy to put words to, but the morning light felt ‘alive’, ‘awakening’, ‘bright’.
I realized that the late afternoon light I was out walking in the day before, was ‘intense’, sometimes ‘blinding’, and yet, ‘slowing’ down. Seems a strange way to describe light, but there it is, rolling off the end of my pen.
I was remembering the roadrunner I saw on Monday morning and shared that in an email with my neighbor. She told me it was good luck. Cool…
I want to practice this morning quiet time outside and try to develop a new skill, a new morning ritual that will draw me back to remembering ‘me’. That Tuesday morning, I got up a bit earlier than my alarm was set for the class I had at 9:00. I got outside, still in my jammies again (love it) not allowing the distraction of “getting ready” to stop the process.
I wandered around in the soft morning light looking at all the trees and cactus, saying hi and letting them know that they were seen and soon would be pruned and cared for more diligently. My gardener retired and has not done the impeccable job he once did, and I have not been paying attention like I used to. I could feel their sadness and spent time with the Palo Verde, with the Mesquite, adoring the saguaro that lives on the corner outside the fence, a new arm beginning to emerge.
When I headed back inside, there at the door lay a tiny dove feather. I brought it in with me and taped it onto my journal page. In my office on that Tuesday morning, sitting at my desk preparing for a shamanic class, my eyes caught movement at the window. Looking out, there was the roadrunner from the day before, back up on my fence.
I sat very still. It took a few steps and stopped, tilted its head and looked my way. I didn’t move and it took a few more and stopped again, looked at me and then flew off, out into the desert. I was mesmerized. I was so close I could see the little red spot on the side of its head.
These simple but also powerful moments, have me remembering me, reminding me to move a bit, stop, listen, and move again. I was reconnecting to the winged ones and the standing tall beings that surround the house in Arizona, and to the ones that pull me into knowing it is time to create the same opening at home in California. The cottonwood there stands guard outside my office door, open armed in invitation to join her.
I am remembering how much nature has played a part in my own awakening, and how much I have missed being with Her. This is the time of year when the weather invites us outside and I’m listening this year. Are you?
Would you honor us all by sharing a short story or adventure you’ve been called into that took you outside? Who did you meet? Who or what spoke to your heart?
Thank you for journeying with me again this week. May you find beauty and wisdom waiting around every corner. Take a chance, step out, and step onto whatever path is calling you.
Blessed be the world waiting outside of our four walls.
***
Be on the lookout for more information
on the upcoming release of my next book:
GET OFF THE SHELF; Choose You First, You Have a Right to be Happy.
Click The Image Below To Get My Free
Living An Intentional Life PDF
Vicki Dobbs is a bold and adventurous warrior walking a path of heart to manifest spirituality in everyday lives. She opens existential gateways for individuals to face their challenges and embrace these tests as the great teachers that they are.
Her goal is to see everyone walk in beauty and balance every day of their lives empowered by the voice of their own authentic truth.
Through Wisdom Evolution and Sacred Wisdom Workshops, Vicki creates opportunities for others to make deep personal changes through experiential classes, ceremony, sacred art and story. She endeavors to inspire others to create their lives intentionally. Vicki is an Inspirator of everyday awareness, an Instigator of spontaneous stories and a Connoisseur of Creativity. Gratitude and grace sprinkled with humility and humor are the medicine she brings to the world.
As an Elder, Teacher and Entrepreneur, Spiritual Coach, Ordained Minister and Crafter of Sacred Art and Tools, Vicki perceives life’s journey as an ever-upward spiraling ascension of the human spirit leading her to wisdom, wholeness and authenticity.
Her experience includes being trained in the Harner Method of Shamanic Counseling and the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition of Cross Cultural Shamanism. She is a Graduate Teacher and Mentor with the Lynn Andrews Center For Sacred Arts and Training and has been the Administrator and Writers Guide for Writing Spirit, the School.
Vicki is also an Artist of the Spirit Certified Spiritual and Energetic Life Coach, a Graduate Mentor in the AoS program and a founding member of HeatherAsh Amara’s Warrior Goddess Leadership Team and Facilitator of the Warrior Heart Practice.
Connect with Vicki here on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SacredWisdomTeachings
