Seasons in an Ordinary Life
How many lifetimes does it take to be lifted up into pristine awareness of the beauty in an ordinary life? This many.
The softness of a meadow in spring, green life rising up within us from the moist, warming earth mother through the soles of our feet.
The meadow of late summer, humming in wild celebration of buzzing, floating, leaping and alighting nameless wonders.
In autumn, the warming glint of sunlight in the cool forest, scent of cedar and earth fallen leaves soothing the anxious heart.
The first diamond light snow in winter, all that remains from summer now hidden under an ethereal white gown, untouched and holy. Every cell registers aliveness in this place, an awe believing moment stretching before us.
Deep into winter, I follow footprints of other warm living beings crossing the wide expanse of snow, seeking life as I also seek it. I imagine them animal or person, and tell myself their stories, secrets in the footprints: stopping, turning, changing quickly, signs of a disturbance, and the innocence of keeping on through an icy landscape, not knowing what is to come. I am giving them immortality as some minor god or goddess might do. I know their footprints will fade into nothingness before I return here again.
Just so are those in our lives past, present and future, that come so alive stepping into our presence, loving and loved, with their distinct impression on us. A few linger as we move on, seeming an eternal friend or relation. Then, those who disappear again into the mists, their beingness leaving an incalculable imprint on the interweaving of our souls. Their faces appear and disappear, some touching a cord, others a butterfly kiss in passing.
In any season, dark nights in the forest call me into communion with the shadows of former selves. I thank them for bringing me to where I now stand, and look for turns and realizations that might arise as secret or surprise. Inviting change as blessing, I have learned to keep walking toward the morning light and the newly emerging inspired, yet ordinary being I am this day.
Sophia
© 5-24-26