The Ultimate Yes

Sacred Life Sunday ~ It all works out

 

It was a stellar day on the Oregon coast;  85 degrees, a warm breeze and not a cloud in the sky. I began and ended my day in the same way...dancing in the sun.   I dance for a lot of different reasons and recently I've become aware of how much it restores my faith and hope in my dreams.  Next month, I will be opening up a dance and expressive arts studio with my business partner and while it thrills me to no end and it's a HUGE dream of mine being made real, it scares the beejezus out of me at times.  

It's not so much the money gremlins that keep me up at night (although it does seem at times they're having a big ol' party in my head).  It's the myriad of other fears I'm confronting on a daily basis that leave my pulse and heart racing.  I find it both dumbfounding and extremely irritating that regardless of how many times I've faced them in the past, they're STILL HERE!   When I dance, it's like grabbing a can of whup'ass and giving those fears a good spanking.  Whap...Whap...Take That!

Yesterday I invested in Apple once again and found some really fun new tunes, but the one I discovered a few weeks back is the one I keep returning to again and again. While I was in the throes of the woe-is-me's, this song pulled me up by my bootstraps and reminded me everything will work out just fine.  I'm still shaking my head I've fallen in love with a country song.   Check out the lyrics below while you're having a listen from the last link.  Perhaps it will resonate with you and one of your dreams like it did for me.  Sacred Sunday night wishes to you all!

What if that road that you're taking's a dead-end?

What if love leaves you all jaded and broken?

What if that limb breaks you're climbing out on?

What if it all goes wrong?

But what if it all goes right?

What if it all works out?

What if the stars line up and good love rains down?

What if you chased your dream and it changes your whole life?

Yeah, what if it all goes right?

What if that road is a beautiful slow drive?

What if that love ends up lasting a lifetime?

What if that limb holds you, oak tree strong?

What if this time nothing goes wrong? 

But what if it all goes right?

What if it all works out?

What if the stars line up and good love rains down?

What if you chased your dream and it changes your whole life?

Yeah, what if it all goes right?

What if you climb to the mountain top and touch the sky

Grab a cloud as it passes by

You might fall. You might fall,

but then again you might fly!

 

On Being Seen...

I've just returned home after spending the last twenty-four hours with my girlfriend, Layne. (She's the other giggly gal in the photo.)  We've known each other for about fifteen years and during that time, she and I have gone through a helluva lot together. 

She and I both had the courage to cancel our weddings when deep down we knew the relationship wasn't the right one for us. (I'm happily married now, but was engaged to another man eleven years ago.)  Over the years as we changed jobs, homes and men, we've been there for one another as plans changed, hearts broke and fell in love again, and dreams were realized.  It's one of those friendships where you just know you're going to love and care for this person for the rest of your life...no matter what. 

And right now...as Layne is going through a tremendous medical challenge and enduring incredible pain, she has allowed me to see her in her most vulnerable state.  She has let me help her in ways I'm sure she never anticipated she would need or would want me to.  Were it possible for us to trade places for a few days so she could experience a body that was free of the disease that is currently effecting the quality of her life, I would do it in a heartbeat. She's seen me at my worst and I feel so grateful that she continues to let me see her during this not-so-great time of hers.   I would do anything for her and I know she feels the same way about me.

While it may seem that the longer you know someone the easier it is to be seen, that's not necessarily true.  To the degree in which we show ourselves (our "here-is-who-I-really-am" self) to the world, the more likely it is that someone will not only take notice, but will show up and let us know we've been seen. 

This evening as I made my way home, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few items.  As I entered the building, off to my immediate right was a display of flowers.  What caught my attention were some beautiful calla lillies in a variety of colors.  While I stood there looking at them, many thoughts went through my mind.  The dialogue went something like this;

"What lovely flowers.  And how interesting the deep, dark purple ones are.  They're almost black. Maybe I should get some.  Nah...they probably won't last very long.  But hey, I could enjoy them for a few days at least.  I wish they had some burnt orange ones like I had my wedding.  Hmmm...my wedding.  What a beautiful day that was.  I miss my husband.  James....."

And then somewhere amongst the dreamy thoughts of my husband, I decided not to buy the flowers and when I turned to resume my shopping, a woman who had been standing only a few feet away from me said, "That was such a lovely picture to see." And I said somewhat confused, "Excuse me?"   And what she said next took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. She said, "The way you were looking at those flowers.  I feel honored to have seen that." I just looked at her in amazement and said, "Thank you. What a sweet thing to say.  Thank you."  I felt like hugging her.  I felt touched by something more than just a stranger's kind words.  I was seen.

I believe we all need to be acknowledged for who we really are and when it happens when we least expect it, those are the sweet moments when you know we're all connected to each other.  Those are the moments one never forgets.