As once the winged energy of delight
carried you over childhood’s dark abysses,
now beyond your own life build the great
arch of unimagined bridges.
Wonders happen if we can succeed
in passing through the harshest danger;
but only in a bright and purely granted
achievement can we realize the wonder.
To work with Things in the indescribable
relationship is not too hard for us;
the pattern grows more intricate and subtle,
and being swept along is not enough.
Take your practiced powers and stretch them out
until they span the chasm between two
contradictions…For the god
wants to know himself in you.
- Rainer Maria Rilke, Once the Winged Energy of Delight
He’s right, you know. Being swept along is not enough.
This morning, standing barefoot in between the bean rows as the sun crested the treetops in the valley, I sent you all a wave of love. Did you feel it? I wonder.
The forest was sparkling with last night’s rain. Morning glory chalices were spiraling open. Bumblebees were busy among the basil and mint, just like always.
The tulip poplar released another yellowed leaf, and it fell in slow motion, caressed by unseen air currents.
The moss was so green it would break your heart.
A blue jay had left behind a single feather in the grass.
The wonder of it all filled my every cell until I was vibrating at a frequency of pure joy. I was sure for a moment that I was going to float up into the dome of the sky and truly become one with all that is. But I so loved the sensation of my feet in contact with the moist, red Earth, feeling almost as rooted as the nearby pines, that I couldn’t imagine ever willingly leaving that behind me.
For a fraction of a second, I felt torn between them: firm, holy ground; ethereal, grey sky. And then I just knew.
I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
I even laughed aloud, startling a nearby song sparrow from her perch in the wild rose hedge. It just seemed so amusing, all of a sudden, that I could have forgotten for even a moment. All my worries about the future showed themselves to be as insubstantial as smoke. The only real thing is saying yes to this life, now.
Yes.
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I felt the wave, courtesy of twitter. And you remind me of who I used to be. The next house we rent has to be a place where we can have a garden. For now, the containers are lovely and necessary (ash spill from the power plant rendered our soil poison), but the next place – big garden. For real.
Lisahgolden´s last blog ..The Mournful Bleatings of a Former Middle Class Dreg
Oh, I am so sorry about the damage to your soil, Lisa. As if you haven’t got enough to deal with…
Pleased you felt the wave, though. I wish I could send you enough joy to sustain you always, even in this very tough time.
I had a good morning, and I like to think the positive energy you sent had something to do with that. How lovely that you feel at peace, Meredith. I’m glad.
Lynn´s last blog ..Pit stop- on the map and on the road again
Maybe I contributed a few extra atoms of positive energy, Lynn. But I suspect your own lovely nature is responsible for the majority of good vibes.
I cherish those moments when I realize that all is as it is meant to be in the world right now and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I was blueberry picking Monday and had that joy, the breeze through my hair, the birds chirping, the sun shining and the bushes filled with fat, juicy blueberries – could it get any better? Love reading your posts!
Linda, those times are precious. Your blueberry picking adventure sounds so delightful, I almost wish I’d been with you! (No, Mer, you are in the right place.)
Thank you so much for that compliment.
Hi meredith,
Many times in the morning I can see some wild rabbits feeding in the back yard.
Then a cup of coffe and a moment to watch those cute little creatures to get in the simplicity and beauty of nature and life.
Raul
I like rabbits
Alien Ghost´s last blog ..Love as a Drug
Raul, you made me giggle. Cute comment — probably almost as cute as your wild rabbits.
*sigh* I wish I had your patience, focus and contentment.
Merrilee´s last blog ..Guest post- Creativity and Trust by Jeremy C Shipp
Sending you a huge hug, dear Merrilee — and a reminder that you have so many lovely attributes that I do not! Every path is so different…
I would say that I wish you contentment. Yet I don’t know if I’d wish the path necessary to *learn* contentment on anyone. (Does that make sense? I hope you understand.)
Wow, Meredith, you have such a wonderful way with words, and that is exactly what I needed to read today. Dont you ever stop writing!
I loved this sentence “The wonder of it all filled my every cell until I was vibrating at a frequency of pure joy” I have felt that before and want to feel it again….heading out into the garden to stand barefoot in the dirt this weekend. I know that is where I felt it before, just needed your reminder. In the meantime, yes, I will look for the joy in every moment.
Gillian
Gillian, you have given me a gift tonight. I was feeling quite discouraged about my writing these last two hours or so… unhappy with what I’d done this week, wondering if I’ll ever get it right and have the discipline to finish my novel. You’ve encouraged me powerfully with those kind words.
How can I thank you enough?
Ah hah! So you’re the cause of that miniature gale force wind that knocked me out of my bed this morning! Strong hand wave there, Meredith!
And, well, I couldn’t get back to sleep then… so, grudgingly, I got up, just in time to get a phone call from wifey to say she was running late for an early doctor’s appointment. I wish she was here eating breakfast with me instead. Never mind. We’ll rejoin later on.
Your beautiful words were a breath of fresh air today, gently easing me out of sleep induced stupor and making my heart light like a helium balloon. Nice one!
LOL, Tony. I’ll take leave to doubt that I have any such powers.
Thank you for the compliment, though.
I hope all is well with Cassie and that the doctor’s appointment was a.o.k. She is so sweet! Here’s hoping you both had a lovely, joy-filled day.
YES. those moments of knowing you are exactly where you need to be…pure BLISS.
brandi´s last blog ..what yoga is and isnt
That does seem to be the perfect word.
Do you think it’s possible that we are always where we need to be… but the awareness of it gets covered up by stuff and nonsense sometimes? That’s what I suspect, during those wonderful flashes of clarity and connection.
Whatever the case, I wish you Bliss, too, dear Brandi.
Loved this post, Meredith. I’m always in the moment. And the extra good thing about it? Even the bad ones, the uncomfortable ones, the annoying ones pass…and the beautiful ones seem to expand and grow.
Talon´s last blog ..Dog daze
Your toes dug deep into the soil of life
But your heart longs to be among the clouds
Then you realized you’re where you’re supposed to be.
Cool in harmony with life.
desk49/Ellis Moore´s last blog ..Thought-
Love that poem, Ellis. Thank you for the gift of your words.
Your words not mine
Your feelings not mine
You gave me your words
You gave me your feelings
I should be thanking you
I should have told you
For dreams you shared
For feeling you panted
Thanks
desk49´s last blog ..A Blind Man-
Very mellow…
I’ve not really got much to add to that, so I won’t!
The Idiot Gardener´s last blog ..Carrots should be obscene and not heard
Sometimes a few words are enough, IG.
Dear Meredith, These moments of sheer joy are indeed to be treasured and valued and, as here, reflected upon. Have a very happy and peaceful weekend!
Edith Hope´s last blog ..Things My Mother Told Me
Thank you, dear Edith. I hope your weekend is lovely, as well!
Everything — glorious picture, poem and thoughts — all intersecting so beautifully here.
THe thing about being in nature is it really forces you to look and interact with what is present — which is so difficult, otherwise, with our teeming brains always pulling us back and forth between the past and the future.
I really admire that picture. I aspire, I aspire!
Bee´s last blog ..barefoot in the park
Bee, you are so right about nature. That’s why it’s the place for me.
I can’t thank you enough for your kind compliments about my words and photo.
I have it stenilsed on the shed door from last summer ….’ the only thing that matters is now’… pity I don’t remember that more often. A stunningly beautiful post and poem.
Peace, always
C xx
carrie´s last blog ..All just peas in a pod
I remember seeing that stencil and loving it, Carrie. Sometimes I think I need it stenciled on my forehead…
Thank you for saying those lovely things.
Ahhhhh….. Splendid!
Kerri´s last blog ..Thursday Thoughts – Quickly it goes
Aw, thanks, Kerri!
Lovely sentiments, and how true! How many beautiful moments do we rush past, focusing on what’s next and not what’s now! Your writing reminds me of what is best about gardening.
debsgarden´s last blog ..Spirea- a Great Low Maintenance Shrub
Deb, I’m so my writing can do that for you. A high compliment that makes me blush. Thanks!
Gardens are one of the loveliest paths into the now that I can imagine.
“I am exactly where I am supposed to be.”
This is absolutely the best feeling! Your joy in the experience came through loud and clear. Thanks for sharing this precious moment.
Kathy´s last blog ..The Upside of Fear
Kathy, it *is* the best feeling — one of supreme connection, and joy, and fearlessness, and trust. I’m so glad I succeeded in conveying what was, to me anyway, a peak moment.