OHIO LOVE YOU

 Today I officially traded in mountains for cornfields.  Dad and I saw Greensboro one final time while my belongings still inhabited the city.  We walked through the woods by Lake Brandt, marveled at the kudzu, ate Stamey's BBQ, Maxie B's cupcakes, Yoforio's organic yogurt at the Grand Opening, greeted my old school, stood amazed at the tiny rosebush that now was so full and large, enjoyed an evening with friends, walked downtown, shopped at Just Be with the bubble machine, stopped in the ecletic Green Bean, browsed the Farmer's Market to find scrumptious fresh figs, ripe goat cheese, quiches, empanadas and blueberries.  It was a hello mixed with a goodbye. It was my dad's hello and my goodbye.  Dad saw a part of my life, my old life, my old self that he never had the opportunity to see or know.  And, in his hello was my goodbye.  As I introduced him to my old city I was slowly saying goodbye.  Saying it was nice knowing you, I miss you, I wish I had appreciated my days here more and I  wondered if I'd ever have the kind of life I had there again. As our hello and goodbye passed it was apparent the chapter in Greensboro was closing.  My goodbye was pleasant and gradual.  I didn't realize I was saying goodbye until it was over.


I didn't realize it was over until I pulled out of my new storage unit in Ohio and was greeted by one of the most amazing sunsets I had ever beheld.  The center of the sun glowed in the color of deep pink, with soft shades of blue and pink dancing around it.  It looked like an ocean sunset.  As I looked at the sunset in the middle of my being I heard a faint whisper "Welcome, be here now, I'll take care of you."  The whisper was proof that it was over.  The whisper told me that it was time to start and embrace a new chapter.  A chapter unexpected but needed, a chapter of new beginnings and new daydreams.  Today I said goodbye and hello.  Hello, Ohio.  I think I'll stay for awhile.  

                                                  Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson from Rachel

Enamored with the pleasures of summer...picking plump blueberries while the birds sing, golden round bales of straw contently waiting transport, gold finches pleasantly perched by the black-eyed susans and the sun shining ever so sweetly on us all...hello beautiful life.

I asked for strength

that I might achieve;

I was made weak

that I may learn to humbly obey.

I asked for  health

that I may do greater things;

I was given infirmity

that I might do better things.

I asked for riches 

that I might be happy;

I was given poverty

that I might be wise.

I asked for power

that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness

that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things

that I might enjoy life;

I was given life

that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for –

but everything I had hoped for

Almost despite myself,

my unspoken prayers were answered;

I am…most richly blessed.

-Confederate soldier during the Civil War

There will be a time when you believe everything is finished. 

                                                      Yet that will be the beginning.

                                                                                  -Louis L'Amour

Growth is an erratic forward movement.  You are capable of great things on Tuesday, but on Wednesday you may slide backward.  This is normal.  Growth occurs in spurts.  Your will lie dormant sometimes.  Do not be discouraged.  Think of it as resting.


Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way