Following a quiet and contemplative Memorial Day weekend, I sit here at the computer wondering what words of wisdom “want” to be shared this week. After Friday evenings bar-b-qued chicken, I packed to head to AZ. The plan was to go last Thursday before holiday traffic but then as you all read last Friday, insomnia paid me an extended visit. Not the time to be driving alone across the expanse of desert that lies between home in CA and home in AZ. Yawn…
I woke up much earlier than usual on Sunday morning and realized that I had caught up on sleep. I was awake. Already packed, I felt the urge to hit the road and loaded the car, stocked the ice chest, hugged hubby and the dog and put pedal to metal. I figured all the holiday partiers and picnickers would be settled at the lakes and parks or with family and it was the perfect day to be on the road. I was right, making better time than usual and arriving before the sun set.
I have lots of time to think, scheme, contemplate, and plan when I am behind the wheel of an empty car with myself as my only company. I listen to books and even pull over to take notes when words of wisdom pop out of the stories.
This past weekend was about celebrating a special group of people in our lives, those who selflessly gave themselves for our freedom. I found myself drifting in thought between the celebrations, you know, the ones that we all encounter. Those days that mark the passing of time, the celebrations of birth, life events, people and places that honor life’s more momentous occasions.
What I began to feel in those rememberings, was how much of my real life tends to happen during those in-between times. What I came to know was that during those in-between times I am most in tune with life’s wonderful, sometimes profound, yet simple joys.
It brought me back to the gratitude I wrote about last week. How grateful I am this week for a safe drive to AZ, for a lovely lunch with an old friend, for a grandson’s call telling me he took my suggestion and asked his teacher how he could get his grade back up. Today he was proud to tell me he had his “A” back and had suggested to a couple of friends that they could do the same. I couldn’t be prouder or more grateful for the family of birth I am blessed with and for the family of choice that has blessed my journey.
I watched a Pixl movie today called the Generation Gap. It was about a troubled teen sent from the city to spend the summer with his crotchety old grandfather. To watch them both dance around who they were and who they wanted to be and were becoming together, was magical, life-affirming and inspirational. Hint… it’s never too late to love and show love. The grandfather shared this tidbit with his grandson just before he passed (paraphrased),” a loss leaves a hole that is hard to heal and love leaves memories that are hard to steal.”
“I have no right to call myself one who knows. I was one who seeks, and I still am, but I no longer seek in the stars or in books; I’m beginning to hear the teachings of my blood pulsing within me. My story isn’t pleasant, it’s not sweet and harmonious like the invented stories; it tastes of folly and bewilderment, of madness and dream, like the life of all people who no longer want to lie to themselves.” -Hermann Hesse
I have realized that the in-between times are rarely about landmark moments, they are each uniquely special and, hold fond memories. They gift me with the little unexpected joys that fuel my heart and keep me writing, keep me moving forward, loving and living in-between those momentous celebrations that mark time on my calendar. Pay attention to them when they do happen and never take them for granted. Any in-between time can be cause for a spontaneous celebration.
May you be filled with adventures that delight, joy that refuels you, and sweet memories between now and the next celebrations…
Please enjoy a free pdf copy of this chapter from Burnout to Bliss, the book I am currently writing (or maybe it is a workbook)
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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/vickildobbsauthor
