Seasons of the Heart

Reflections of the soul are found in the beauties of the earth

What is found in nature mirrors every aspect of our selves

As each leaf, cloud and ray of sun glimmers with uniqueness;
so do we

The seasons present the senses with new indulgences

Snow, color, sun, water, fire, rain, grass, flowers, dirt, wood, darkness

How is that different than the varying seasons of our heart and soul?

Emotions are our internal seasons, shorter lived and more fleeting than those of the Earth

I find myself melancholy and am reminded of the rich colors of fall

My heart is without wind or rain, but vibrant with the reds, browns and gold

Experiences that have made me whole remembered fondly

Today I am a ladybug of spring

Exploration invites me to move through life full of awareness

As my mind grows restless I take flight to what experience awaits my presence

Once there, meandering with awareness resumes

My flower is just ahead

Beckoning me to touch it, smell it, feel it… it exists to meet my desires

Winter has come too soon

Shadows cast over my soul creating a darkness from which I cannot escape

Pain falls upon my heart, the heat of my skin melts each snowflake upon landing

Motionless

The flutter of ladybug wings fall dormant

When the sun shines upon the darkness masking my heart

Its flaws are visible.

Cracks, chipping bark; but promise of budding beauty

Picture the open heart when the sun shines upon it and sprouts blooms from its branches

The heart is full and giving

Laughter rolls in as the incoming tides of joy in my soul

The love I’m capable of spreads its rays out from my fingertips

I wish to warm others with my smile

Cover them in a blanket of hope when their day is a storm caught ship

I am love, I am hope, I am joy, I am free

I am summer, I am winter, I am spring, I am fall.

Hiking Reflections

As we enter the wooded trail their sweaty, beefy fingers wrap loosely around my palm
Surrounding me with love like a warm ray of sun after the darkness of winter

I long to teach my children, secure at my side, the beauty of nature
And all it can provide

The silence of their voices and the rustle of their feet
Signifies they understand the greater purpose of mommy's afternoon treat

"Mommy! Look at the water," he cries
Indeed to our left is a lake so vast and so wide
Cradled by the majestic mountains sparkling with the twinkle of God's eye

Up ahead in the distance two masculine silhouettes appear
Should I feel fear or simply turn my ear?
I am in God's territory, nothing will harm me or my children here

As they pass us by my loving children say "hi" and I smile at their innocence
They don't yet know the world is a place full of fear

The One assures me of my journey's success when I hear the words of my child
Teaching her imaginary class of the great joys of a hiking trail and the treasures you can find

Steeper terrain up ahead, the test is upon me; will I pass or will I fail
Her feet loose their hold and she comes slipping down, I do not panic but instruct her to fall to the ground

My calmness eludes me as I steady the fall
Unrealized strength steadies us all
On that steep path of earth

We are in God's territory, nothing will harm me or my children here

"Mommy, that was close!" she observes.
"Sure was, but we made it without fail"

Little legs have grown tired and they plea for a ride
I pull the little one to my side and look towards the sky as a guide
The opening that will lead us off the trail
With promises of the playground that we'll quickly find there

My spirit is light and my heart is opened wide
Watching my children with pride
A lifetime of adventures await them and I hope to always be by their side