Young and Wise...

Picture taken from fb and I did not get the photographer/group

Dear little one,
I see you today, small, vulnerable and so beautiful. I come to you feeling tired, unsure and vulnerable..I don't know what I want...and I don't want to do much either. With the jump start of Christmas shopping on Black Friday...I almost forgot "the waiting time.." Advent...

I am not good at waiting....and I'm trying at this time to refrain from reading and open myself to listening...within and without. And listening, especially within...is not easy for me.

I do not want to get caught up in the "Buying" aspect of this beautiful season...How can I Gift some one, without cash and the credit card?  As much as I see your beauty and vulnerability...I wonder.. are you too little and too young to understand and even more... this conversation is supposed to be about you and not me.

What would you say to me little one...
Lighten up dear one...you are more tired than you'd like to believe and you are fighting "doing nothing"  Go rest...and then come back and we can talk some more.

 Just as you are amazed and awed at my being...take some time to be amazed and awed at your own and of those around you...and let that awe and giftedness flow out to all you meet...

What better Gift can you give at this time than to help each other truly see the gift that they are...and enjoy seeing each one begin to live out of that giftedness.

...I'm back and more rested thank you. I'd like to share the words you gave me yesterday, as they speak to the beauty and meaning of this season of Joy. I want to LIVE those words for myself and others. Thank you for your wisdom and love.

Will you let your heart be stirred?

Dear Swan,
I so love this picture of you and your babies. I'm thinking.. you are actually "turning yourself upside down" to keep an eye on your kids!  And more...your deep love exudes, as you enfold your brood in shelter and safety...even allowing one to venture out in exploration of the surroundings.

Your strength seems boundless as you move over the water carrying your precious cargo, and yet..
you must be tired as your constant watch and attention to each ones needs as you move over sister water is draining. 
Thank you for showing me, in such a magnificent manner, the power and depth of your love for your family.  You and your children gathered so lovingly, truly touches my heart.

There are days in my own life that I yearn to be sheltered in such a warm and gentle manner. And I am not forgetting sister water's impact on your journey for there are days when her waters are far from calm and peaceful.  You and your children are vulnerable and strong because you  know you can depend on all your family members in the natural world to be there for you, as needed...and you are there for them as well.

As we moved through our recent storm called "Sandy", I was reminded of your vulnerability and the vulnerability of all the creatures, our extended family members,  as you sought shelter from the turbulent waters, floods, pelting rain and high winds!! 

How I wish we in the human family would honor the needs of your family and all of our  family members in the natural world!  How much safer and at peace we all could be.

Many human' s need jobs and I understand that.  I just hope that the jobs we choose and create respect the needs of all beings. Such a choice is being made in a very positive way in other countries...may we also be willing to learn from them.

What would you like us to know dear Swan..It's been a while since I've taken the time to commune with you and your kin, yet I hope you will honor me with your perspective.

Dear Assunta, It's been a while and we miss you. So glad you are choosing to take the time to be with us.  As you said there are days when I am truly turning myself inside out and upside down to care for my beautiful energetic brood.  All you parents and care givers can relate, I'm sure.

 And it is also true, that we in the natural world know we can and do depend on one another as we make our way in each and every moment.  We truly are a web of life...and that web of life sustains us in both the difficult and delightful times of our journey.

Storm "Sandy" hopefully will help you to see both the power and the needs of Mother Earth...Wind, water and soil have  great power and we want you to see more of the positive power..not just the negative power. 

When each of the elements are respected and honored...their negative impact is far less, and their gifts to you, if you are willing to accept them, meet your needs in a much more healthy and sustainable way for all of us.
 I hope the picture of me and my family not only stirs your heart but the hearts of all who read this...Then more and more of you might be willing to see us as part of you and be ready to work together for the benefit of all of us. 

Dear Swan and family,
Thank you for stirring my heart and I pray other hearts will be stirred, so that we can work together for the common good of all. I love you, and I thank you for the gift of you.  

Dear Squirrel..

A-Z Animals.com

I'm sitting here taking myself far to seriously and my heart is heavy with the pain of so many in our world family.  On this very hot day I sit nice and cool in my air conditioned apartment and you and so many others of the natural world directly endure the heat!!  I pray that you all find food, water and a place of cool shelter.

I love this picture of you...your beautiful intense eyes, your small and agile hands, your calm manner and your listening presence...ears up and alert. I wonder what are you thinking? .. and.. is your meal sufficient for you?

I enjoy the times I see you scampering around and scurrying up trees!  You are quick and playful!

At the same time, I want to scold you for the times you and your family members have jumped on  my bird feeder, more than once,  causing it to come crashing down! 

I realize too.. how vulnerable you are as we humans often destroy your home and often take your life, as we "develop" more properties in the name of growth and greed!   

Some times I wonder if we will ever say enough is enough and honor and enjoy the gifts you and your family members offer each day!!

My heart is heavy dear Squirrel and I would like to hear your wisdom...if you are willing to share it..

Dear Assunta,

I am willing to share my understandings with you and I thank you for asking.First thing, dear one, lighten up...I know you have been told this before...so.. I remind you... don't take to yourself the pain of your sisters and brothers.. human or natural..

You are responsible for your behavior and choices,just as each family member is for theirs.Stay in the moment.. and don't project into the future...each moment brings change and why waste your energy trying to figure out what the future might bring. Your culture is very caught up in "planning ahead". In some situations that can be helpful but more often then not such action steals your opportunity to enjoy the very present... Be here...now!!  Being in the present does not mean, ignoring the consequences of your actions...!

 As you know,much is going on in the name of progress, that has not been looked at in terms of short and long range consequences! The "First People" took their decision making very seriously and were very wise in asking How each decision would affect the next seven generations! Learn from them.

Before I leave you, remember to play...you enjoy my playfulness, well than.. take the hint.. play...it will help you to relax and when you are relaxed you will see and understand with greater clarity and truth. As for knocking down your bird feeder.. I have to say, some times its just an enjoyable challenge and other times..I'm just plain hungry!

Thank you dear Squirrel, I am awed and grateful for your sharing and I will take it to heart.

Dear horse,

I'm chuckling as I look at you because you have given me your full attention!  Your big beautiful eyes are looking right at me and your ears are straight up.. as if to say..Yes..what is it you would like to know?  I'm a little embarrassed to say that when I first chose your picture, wondering what you could teach me, all I could focus on was your speed...and that is not what I need in my life right now.  Very quickly the thought came into my head that.. ahhhhhhhh yes horse has speed...and even more, horse knows how to balance that speed with rest, relaxing and being with friends!  That balance I do need.. to take the time to rest...relax and be with friends.

Horse, you are so beautiful and strong...so gentle...in your elegance and stature!  I once had the opportunity to stand at the head of one of your family members and I was in awe of her  powerful, shimmering presence.  The power in her body gently vibrated through her as we quietly stood together.

I think what I also love about you is that you seem to truly love being you.  When you are treated with respect and care, it is reflected in your incredible spurts of speed across the grasses of a meadow or down a track as you run full throttle enjoying each moment. 

My heart leaps in me as I also realize..you are a listener...!  Your loving presence, invites those who come to you to open their own hearts and speak both their pain and their joy...their fear and their grief....!  You do not judge or critique...you do not embarrass or condemn!  How many heart stories have you heard in your life time dear horse? 

My heart clenches when I remember so many of your sisters and brothers who have not been treated with respect and love.  They have been treated as objects...tools ..beaten and even killed when they gave the best they could but it was found not to be good enough!!  I am so sorry dear horse, for such cruelty and lack of honor for the magnificent being that you are!!

What would you like me to know about you dear horse....I would greatly appreciate your wisdom!

Dear Assunta,

Thank you for your deep love and appreciation of me and my family members.  We do have a mixed appreciation from the human family.  It is not easy to see those you love bruised and broken for the meat of their bodies ...and other family members shot and killed for not living up to a buyers expectation!  Even when we don't win the race...we are valuable for who we are!

Our hearts have almost burst with the pain and loss of some of our riders...they open their hearts to us and let go of so much that has been draining their life from them...your new movie "War Horse" gives a powerful and real picture of what our listening hearts have offered to adults and young adults.

As you said, we are valuable for who we are...not just the races we win and the meat we provide.

You see a vital part of us when you see us romping with our friends and family and riding the wind as we streak across an open field!  We know how to work...and we know how to play and have fun.  Sadly, the human family has chosen to believe that play and fun is only for children and in so doing  they lose out on a wonderful way to renew and revitalize them selves.

We love you, and all we ask is that you love and respect us as you do your very selves.  We have much to offer each other in a mutual way of being and living. 

Thank you dear horse, once again I have been given far more than I could have believed from our sharing. May we, your human family members, take what you have shared to heart and live our lives differently.

Much love, Assunta

Dear Snow Famly,

I'm not sure if I want to single one of you out or share with you as a group..I am just blown away at how this beautiful photo has captured the grandeur of both your individual and group life. You embody the phrase: "pearls of wisdom"!  And it puts a smile on my face to note that sister stone has carved a heart space within which to hold you.

For those humans who have not yet come to know the community experience lived within the natural world, this picture depicts it in a truly magical way.  Trying to grasp the totality of numerous gems that create the whole is in itself awesome!  Each glistening bead gifts its own uniqueness in order to grow the depth and richness of the family.

What you are also making me aware of is that this current "magical expression" can be a very short lived one depending upon weather conditions.  You create and give in the moment....and how easily such a treasure can be missed by we humans when we are "moving to fast".   You do not ask to live long...but that the gift you give might be long in our hearts!   Give me/each of us, the gift and willingness to live in the moment so that we do not miss what is being offered to us each day from your family and all of the families within the web of life.

I'm going on and on dear Snow Family, what is it that you would like to share with me/us today dear family..
I/we would truly love to hear your Wisdom.

Dear Assunta,
We will speak as a whole as that is who and how we are.  You have touched on the key piece we would like to offer you, "The Gift of Community".  Your culture has grown very "individual"and that is not bad. Yet, focusing to much on your individuality short changes you and your world family. 

When individuals can come together and form a greater whole...what you can accomplish is stronger and much more far reaching...  Again, we are not denying our individuality, but we are saying that coming together and working together toward a common goal has assets that you humans have yet to experience.

....and that wholeness is not exclusive!!  Take a good look at the "pearls" as you named us, resting in stone's heart...they are all sizes..some broken and some seeming so small they have nothing to offer... not true..
without each and everyone of us...your beautiful picture would not exist!  Your culture has had a hard time with welcoming and embracing the stranger.  Let that fear go...and you will find that the so called stranger has much to offer. 

If we as a family had not been welcomed and embraced by members of the stone family our common creation would have had a very different outcome.  The stone family in their differing shapes, sizes and colors has enhanced the gift offered to you.

And finally we would strongly embrace the idea of being in the moment...If the photographer, had not been doing just that...this photo would not exist.  Enjoy each moment...embrace one another and take note of the beauty that can be created...the healing that can be given and the love that can be expressed and shared.

Dear Family of Snow and Stone...
First of all Stone family, forgive me for initially missing you and your impact. I saw it but did not express it and honor it.
Each time I  share with our family members in the natural world, I wonder what will happen.. and each time I am awed and amazed.  Thank you so much for your wisdom, love and beauty.