Wednesday, June 20, 2012

jumping off (aka falling)


"The way of love is not
a subtle argument.

The door there
is devastation.

Birds make great sky-circles
of their freedom.
How do they learn it?

They fall, and falling,
they're given wings."
~~Rumi


Emotions close to the surface, my first day of the Permaculture Design course was difficult. From time to time, however, I did forget my fears and rise above the naggings of my fragile ego!

I savoured the smell of the sea, the warmth of the sun, touched smooth drift wood, walked on shattered shells and smooth tumbled pebbles on the beach.
A dying beach bonfire breathed ash and hinted of smoke.

In the forest, I stood on a spongy bed of life and death, smelled the sharp tang of cedar and lichen, in the middle of a fairy ring.

Stepping off a ledge, I met the firm shoulder of a co-traveller in the course, willing to lend support and a steadying touch.

What a gift I have managed to give myself! I am regaining my balance, my equilibrium. There is goodness, abundance and wildness left in the world, despite all the indoctrination I have resisted and rebeled against that would have had me believe otherwise.

Returning home, tired, I despaired over the state of the world again, only to be reminded by my friend Rolf, that it is not my job to carry the whole world on my shoulders, that the world is beautiful, and I am supported by the Universe.