March 29, 2022
Remember
I just went to pick up my husband who has spent the day, with his good friend, collecting and boiling sap. So far they have made 4 litres . They have been outside all day, listening to the birds, tending the fire, eating good sandwiches and laughing alot. They are so happy. They have CANOE FM playing and Sue Shikaze (Northern Aire on Saturdays from 4-6, 100.9 fm) is encouraging everyone to take a few minutes and dance. So we are dancing around the wood burning stove. It feels so uplifting to be dancing together. I would say the whole process is filing our hearts. And soon our belly’s! Earlier in the day I had been leading a yoga workshop and I always start the class with remembering that we do this practice for our own well being, and for the well being of all. “The 2 legged, 4 legged, feathered, those that swim in the ocean and lakes and rivers, those that crawl and bite, those that slither, the rainforests, the deserts, the flowers, the fruits, the vegetables and the weeds”. And of course we wish well being for the trees. These trees that have roots that go deep down into the earth. The roots that are grounding and supporting them. Nourishing them. In relationship with all the roots from all other trees that are around them. These roots that reach down so that the magnificent trees can rise up and be their unique beautiful selves in the world. Every tree is unique. It has it’s own shape and curves and branch structure. Every tree is a collection of living cells, just as we are. When we remember to wish for the well being of all “beings”, we are remembering that we are all connected. We all share the same air. We all share the same earth. And as Caroline Myss regularly says in her talks “what we do to the one we do to the whole.” When we love and respect ourselves we can love and respect all. When we forget that we are loved and feel disconnected or alone - that is when we may suffer. It is important to have a daily reminder that you are connected to the whole of life, and t to keep that practice strong. It might be through prayer, meditation, church, being in nature, yoga, qigong, having a quiet reflective reading each day etc. When we can take a few minutes every day to be quiet and to remember the deeper presence of love, gratitude and peace that is in us, we can hold that for ourselves and for the well being of all. The sun shines on everything. It doesn’t discriminate. What if our love shined for the well being of all? If everyone remembered this connection, how would the world be? So as I dance around the fire with my friends, I am so grateful for every Maple tree in their yard! I will never take them for granted. And I will think of them every time I have some maple syrup on my pancakes or ice cream! Keep doing the things that help you to remember that you are connected to the whole.!