Finding purchase has a different meaning for me in the mountains than in the city.
In the city, finding purchase is about acquisition. Accumulation. Here, in the mountains and on our hikes, finding purchase relates to the quest and commitment in choosing which rock to place my boot on, or, deciding where to plant my walking stick before taking the next step.
Finding purchase, I notice, can be a sacred act of letting go of what was grounding for what will support the next step in moving forward. And, in the quiet companionship with my fellow hikers, finding my purchase can also be about the broader question that I brought with me to the mountain.
I stumbled upon this fun photo from our first trip to Durango twelve years ago. One thing I remember about that tourist photoshoot was… the frustration in finding an outfit that would go around me. Kind of ridiculous, I thought. Surely there are tons of us women who are larger than a size 8?
“Don’t regulate,” they say. “People will do the right thing if government stays out of their lives.”
I doubt that as an absolute, but let’s prove them right with self-honesty about IF our family needs the government check that may show up. And, if we are not in need for food and shelter and resources for taking care of our health and our family, let’s consider donating it to a local food bank. Not in protest of anything but rather…in community and compassion. You know, a Jesus/divine humanity kind of thing. And a gentle, very human and practical way to bleed the greed.
Click on the following for easy links to give. Thank you, with love.
I had no idea what massive changes were headed our way when I took this photo November, 2019. It was a few months before everything changed in our world. We have since lost too many people and another layer of innocence and trust.
It feels too soon to look back and fully understand what happened, the physical, emotional and social effects (subtle, direct, long-lasting and permanent), and how we can grow from this in love and practical care of ourselves and one another. But, this morning I am remembering my grandmother saying, “You can add years to your life or life to your years.”
Time marches on for some of us. Kitties grow up and I am graying. And I am asking myself, what can I add to this moment? From this place and where I am right now?
Following is a transcript from a talk I gave last week at Unitarian Fellowship of Houston. The topic, Spiritual Individuation, is one close to my heart. They were kind enough to also post it on their YouTube page. I hope you find permission and support to be your authentic and wonderful self.
Good morning. Thank you for inviting me to join you this morning.
My husband and I have had the pleasure of being in your sacred space for several talks and celebrations. I like remembering the floor to ceiling windows inviting us to look out and into the artistry of all of the shades of greens outside, and the streams of light filling the room on the inside. It is with this recall and imagination of what you have built and share as a fellowship that I’d like to invite us to take a moment to take in a deep breath and settle in together.
Thank you.
When I was asked to join you this morning, I began thinking about what I would like to share with you about me. And, the topic of spiritual individuation?
I think both of these questions: about me and this topic, can to some degree, be answered in Kermit’s song.
The song, Not Easy Being Green, was sung by Jim Hanson in 1970. I was too old by that time to be watching Sesame Street as a kid, but I was attracted to the simple melody and lyrics as a teen who was appropriately asking all of those deep questions about, who am I? And the more tortuous questions that were coming up in my search for my own identity while comparing myself to others, like: Why am I a brunette and not a blonde? And, what will I be when I grow up?
