Hidden Gifts ~

It's such a surprise to realize just how much my Life has changed since we moved to our splendid new home. I am actually participating in my Life. Moving about, walking thrice daily, tending to the gardens. Watching the corn and tomatoes and blackberries grow, I realize too just how much more I am being nourished. The sounds and sights and smells of this place all fill me up, as much as the food that graces my plate, fresh from the garden. It is as if I have begun anew. And so I have.

Pavo, the spectacular peacock that lives on the property, has become accustomed to us now. Every morning he comes down from his perch high atop the tree outside my door, and does his funny little twirly dance; 'round and 'round he spins, shaking his feathers and singing his song. He has even stopped charging Bruzer, who seems completely unfazed by Pavo's antics. Such a magical exchange to watch. It is as if they have both decided that there is no reason whatsoever for any sort of discord. Let's just all BE, shall we?

And then there are the other creatures. The llamas and hawks and coyotes, the rabbits and quail and the puppies next door. So many creatures with so many gifts. Yes, even the coyotes have value in my world. Because if not for coyotes, there would be no crop. The coyotes keep the rabbit population in check. Of course, they also wreak havoc on cats and small dogs. But you know, they were here first. We have taken over so much of their space. What other choice do they have? But I digress.....

It would be ridiculous to stay indoors with all this going on outside. Corn is growing alongside tomatoes and squash. Roses and berries and grapes galore. Wind chimes in every direction, all with their own distinct music. Waterfalls and brilliant orioles, palm fronds rustling and swaying in the breeze that seems ever-present, up here on this mountain. How, then, could I sit indoors? Why would I forgo this magic?

With all of it comes yet another gift. That of a peace I have never known before. A kind of serenity that I'd only ever read about. A sweet and gentle calm; all so new to me. All so very welcome. I have found a place to call Home, surrounded by Beings who call me friend. I am, for the first time in decades, Home again.

new time, new place

I have often wondered why we are so averse to change. Most folks avoid it like the plague. Those who are not so adamantly 'anti', will approach it with equal measures of optimism and trepidation. And then there are the rare few who embrace change as one might embrace the changing seasons; ever eager for what they have not yet experienced.

Once upon a time, I was among the latter. I wondered this great country with wild abandon, always looking for new adventures, always certain of my abilities to adapt. I roamed like the bison, smelling and tasting and laughing my way into the wild unknown. And then...something happened. Not sure what, exactly, but something. Something that changed my perspective just the least little bit. Something that made me less sure of my adaptability. Something that put me into the second category: equal measures of optimism and trepidation.

It is a wondrous thing to finally see how one's perspectives, and subsequently approaches, have changed without one's awareness of said changes. Like one day you were "this way" and the next day you're "that way". It's freakin' weird! But once seen, it is a fairly simple process to choose which way to go next. Doesn't take much to tweak. Nor is it a painful process. It is simply a matter of saying to one's self, "Okee dokee. This is where I am now. Where do I want to go next and how would I prefer to make that move?" And then, VOILA! Choose and GO. Yep. It really is that simple.

That is not to say it is easy. Because for some folks, it can be a paralyzing choice. For some folks, it is as if they were choosing life or death. That's how complicated they make it. Which is really too bad. Because if one approached change as a child approaches new adventures, everybody would enjoy the hell out of it. So it makes me wonder: why do we make such a big deal about change, when change is as essential as breathing?

Whaddya think?