Having both grandchildren and puppies you can't help but notice similarities in behavior such as all of them learn by having fun. Try teaching one of them anything without the fun involved and you can lose them instantly.
Growing up in a family of 9 meant rigid discipline had to be establised otherwise we would have never been able to find anything. However, along with the discipline and work (it was said you could eat off my mom's floors, they were so clean), we always had time to laugh and play.
My oldest brother, Ralph, was the alpha comedian. I say 'alpha' because our younger brothers, Joe and Chris, were also comedians although Ralph had everyone beat so we considered him the alpha.
When Ralph began his comedic rants he would entertain until we were rolling on the floor, choking, with tears flowing down our cheeks. I always thought he should be on stage and would tell him so, adding that there was one leaving in 30 minutes.
The point is, we all got along and still do, with lots of fun, laughter, support and a whole lot of entertainment value. That has boiled down to a whole lot of love that we have passed down to our children, who are now passing that love down to their children who know that we all want the best for them but whatever they choose to be or do in life is their choice and although we may not understand their choices, we'll support them and help out whenever they ask and always be there for them. To date, we haven't had any drugs or other substance issues and all seem to be free from depression or any emotional or spiritual or physical issues either. I believe it's because we have taught with loving discipline along with fun and lots of playfulness.
And so, my life in general has been filled with love and laughter, barring a few unfortunate challenges that have made a few dents. Dents are not bottomless pits, however. Whatever happens in life, having a strong spirit helps. And a whole lot of attitude and gratefulness. I am grateful to have so much love and laughter in this lifetime.
The love and laughter extended to my friendships and into my spiritual life when I met Grandmother PaRisHa. Her love and devotion to her students transcended any relationship I've ever had with a spiritual guide and mentor. She taught with strict discipline but infused it with lots of laughter and so much love. There was no better way to learn the way and walk of beauty. When we began to learn we were as little children and puppies: capable of soaking up spiritual lessons like dry sponges waiting for water. She had an ocean of principles and experiences to pass on and we couldn't seem to get enough of the waters of life that flowed from her deep well of wisdom.
So now it's our turn to nurture and bring lifegiving water from which to drink. As Grandmother PaRisHa would begin a teaching, the thunder, lightening and rain would come and we would gather 'round Grandmother as she would begin to teach us. In a playful spirit she would bring us closer to her to learn the ancient wisdoms with the words, " Come my beloved children and let me tell you a beautiful story". Our lives would never be the same.
Showing posts with label stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stories. Show all posts
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, December 10, 2010
Let It Snow! The Beauty of Winter
Time is moving faster now it seems and people close to me are in their 'retirement' years. Although I've never thought of 'retirement' I have changed how I think about 'work' in general. For 30 years I had to consider my day and how to make it profitable by working for corporations which meant long drives into the nearest big city because that was where the money was. What did I know about money? You worked long hours for it. That was a way of thinking that I was born into.
Recently, within the last few years I have come to understand that you can make money without having to work long hours for it. And you don't have to work hard for money. Working at home has taught me that you can do anything you want and get paid for it, all you have to do is focus on what it is you want to do.
So over 12 years ago I began to think about 'retirement' or, should I say, "non-retirement" and began to think about what would be a good way to spend my time during my 'winter' years. I thought long and hard about what I loved learning and doing and set myself into work that I can live with. I don't have a 'boss' except me, and my time is my own. After working for corporations for 30 years where you had to be somewhere at a certain time and work so many hours a day, then be 'allowed' to leave....I knew I needed to do something that allowed me freedom from impending time clocks and regimented breaks. How much like jail we live and never consider that there is another way of living.
For many years I dreaded winter. The long nights meant never seeing daylight because you got up to go to work in the dark and came home in the dark; the driving to and from work in traffic jams that added hours to driving time, the shoveling of driveways and scraping off cars; standing in the cold to put gas in the tank; putting on heavy coats and scarves and boots and gloves; slipping and sliding on icy roadways. All of this was what made me dread winter.
All that changed when I came home to work. I realized that I never had the time to appreciate the beauty and the quiet that accompanies a blanket of pristine, powdery white snow. The beauty that is winter takes on new meaning when you can take the time to appreciate its icy wonders: it's the only time of year that lets you see who and what is walking around your yard. Birds, deer, cats (some big cats!), coyote and ground hogs that are supposed to be hibernating all make their way through the yard.
There's nothing like walking in falling snow. It's so quiet. You don't hear any sounds at all but the sound your feet make when you walk. Snow hitting your face is like tiny ice crystals that melt on contact. I love walking in falling snow more than at any other time of year. I'm not sure what it is, but there is just something about a winter walk. Maybe it is that it makes me feel like a kid again when I used to roam the woods in deep snow up to my knees.
In the stories I would hear from Pa'Ris'Ha when she spoke of the changes of seasons she would say that the old ones knew that winter was a time of contemplation, of going inward and connecting with the self. Stories would be told around campfires as the whole village would gather in one meeting place. I could imagine they would gather together for warmth and tell stories so they wouldn't have just the howling winds to listen to. What else did they have other than story tellers? There were no Wii's and X Boxes, no TV with Dancing With The Stars or sit-coms. The storytellers were valued and treasured members of the village who told tales of real life or mythical magical events from ages long ago. Stories capable of holding the attention and imaginations of everyone and keeping them on the edge of their seats or comedies that invoked deep belly laughs were akin to our TV sets and what they mean to us. Imagine your life without your entertainment center. Everyone needs a good story.
Another thing I love about winter is sitting by a cozy fire wrapped up in a blanket and sharing the day with family or loved ones. There's nothing cozier than a fire in the grate and the smell of wood burning and the warmth it gives off.
Finally, after so many years, I am living the way life was meant to be lived. I work when I want and as long as I want. I love doing something meaningful and purposeful in life and all the variants that come with what I do. I love getting out of bed in the morning and being able to take my day as it comes with all the people that I meet who grace my doorstep. I take the time for dreaming and introspection as I sit at a window and look at scenes that are often so cold that you can see a bluish cast over the landscape. You know it's cold when you see the color of ice in the air! At this stage of life, my 'winter' years, I finally have made the time to take the time to appreciate the seasons, in particular, Winter. I never should have waited so long to make the discovery of your quiet and serenity, your beauty and joy. My 'lost' season. How I appreciate you!
Recently, within the last few years I have come to understand that you can make money without having to work long hours for it. And you don't have to work hard for money. Working at home has taught me that you can do anything you want and get paid for it, all you have to do is focus on what it is you want to do.
So over 12 years ago I began to think about 'retirement' or, should I say, "non-retirement" and began to think about what would be a good way to spend my time during my 'winter' years. I thought long and hard about what I loved learning and doing and set myself into work that I can live with. I don't have a 'boss' except me, and my time is my own. After working for corporations for 30 years where you had to be somewhere at a certain time and work so many hours a day, then be 'allowed' to leave....I knew I needed to do something that allowed me freedom from impending time clocks and regimented breaks. How much like jail we live and never consider that there is another way of living.
For many years I dreaded winter. The long nights meant never seeing daylight because you got up to go to work in the dark and came home in the dark; the driving to and from work in traffic jams that added hours to driving time, the shoveling of driveways and scraping off cars; standing in the cold to put gas in the tank; putting on heavy coats and scarves and boots and gloves; slipping and sliding on icy roadways. All of this was what made me dread winter.
All that changed when I came home to work. I realized that I never had the time to appreciate the beauty and the quiet that accompanies a blanket of pristine, powdery white snow. The beauty that is winter takes on new meaning when you can take the time to appreciate its icy wonders: it's the only time of year that lets you see who and what is walking around your yard. Birds, deer, cats (some big cats!), coyote and ground hogs that are supposed to be hibernating all make their way through the yard.
There's nothing like walking in falling snow. It's so quiet. You don't hear any sounds at all but the sound your feet make when you walk. Snow hitting your face is like tiny ice crystals that melt on contact. I love walking in falling snow more than at any other time of year. I'm not sure what it is, but there is just something about a winter walk. Maybe it is that it makes me feel like a kid again when I used to roam the woods in deep snow up to my knees.
In the stories I would hear from Pa'Ris'Ha when she spoke of the changes of seasons she would say that the old ones knew that winter was a time of contemplation, of going inward and connecting with the self. Stories would be told around campfires as the whole village would gather in one meeting place. I could imagine they would gather together for warmth and tell stories so they wouldn't have just the howling winds to listen to. What else did they have other than story tellers? There were no Wii's and X Boxes, no TV with Dancing With The Stars or sit-coms. The storytellers were valued and treasured members of the village who told tales of real life or mythical magical events from ages long ago. Stories capable of holding the attention and imaginations of everyone and keeping them on the edge of their seats or comedies that invoked deep belly laughs were akin to our TV sets and what they mean to us. Imagine your life without your entertainment center. Everyone needs a good story.
Another thing I love about winter is sitting by a cozy fire wrapped up in a blanket and sharing the day with family or loved ones. There's nothing cozier than a fire in the grate and the smell of wood burning and the warmth it gives off.
Finally, after so many years, I am living the way life was meant to be lived. I work when I want and as long as I want. I love doing something meaningful and purposeful in life and all the variants that come with what I do. I love getting out of bed in the morning and being able to take my day as it comes with all the people that I meet who grace my doorstep. I take the time for dreaming and introspection as I sit at a window and look at scenes that are often so cold that you can see a bluish cast over the landscape. You know it's cold when you see the color of ice in the air! At this stage of life, my 'winter' years, I finally have made the time to take the time to appreciate the seasons, in particular, Winter. I never should have waited so long to make the discovery of your quiet and serenity, your beauty and joy. My 'lost' season. How I appreciate you!
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