Tag: Purposeful living

Hope

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

BY EMILY DICKINSON

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.

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I go back and forth on hope and its use to our wellness. I love it, I love it not. Some people argue it’s necessary to life and some people argue it can keep you stuck when expectation can take you further. I’m currently convinced it’s all in what hope means to you and if that energy is disempowering or empowering in your daily choices.

What is your relationship with Hope?

In the Bag

My family traveled to the mountains in the spring of last year to support my son’s college exploration. Once his tour wrapped up we wanted to check out the local scene. (Does this feel like home for the next few years?) After a superbly tasteful lunch we found ourselves in an interesting herbal tea shop with candles, crystals, tie-dye this and that, and other fun finds. My son was honestly in and out of there quickly but my daughter lingered a little longer to find a gift for a friend that was back home caring for our cats and I had to snag a few loose leaf tea blends to share with neighbors. When we were almost finished checking out the clerk at the counter said, “the angels are in the bag” and smiled with a little sparkle in his eyes. I thought maybe he was talking about the energy of angels being channeled by him into the bag. The bag was folded neatly over and though I half wanted to unroll it and check right then and there, I felt I was either supposed to just get it or left the possibility open that he didn’t say what I thought he said. I took the bag, smiled as if I knew what was up, said thank you, and wished the clerk a good day. Guessing my bag would explode with angel energy when I opened it, I decided to hold off until our shopping was done and we were back at the Airbnb. So as the day went on and our attention became flooded with other details I didn’t open the bag at all. I packed the unopened souvenirs in the suitcase and moved on to the next activity.

When we were back home a few days later I opened the bag to share the treats we found in the shop — and lo and behold at the bottom of the bag there were golden angels gracing the crease. I removed the little confetti trumpeting angels and laughed at how literal this was. There was nothing to guess at and nothing misheard.

These days I keep the little cuties in the kitchen as a reminder to not overthink things because “the angels are in the bag”.

Own the Day

A bit of Emerson to brighten your day✨

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day,
and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely,
with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.
This new day is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”


–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Resource

“It takes discipline to be a free spirit.”

Gabrielle Roth

When you decide you want to be a free spirit in this world, it will require your steady devotion. You’ll have to show up at the spiritual feast every day and partake in whatever is offered with awareness towards your hunger and your satiation.

You are your greatest resource, sweet soul. Born among a creative and resourceful species, it’s you that knows what will nurture you most at this time. We need different things at different times — a little more sun — a little less water— breathing room —- listen with care to your internal guidance.

Choose wisely and be relentless in showing up for yourself.