A prompt, a word, it’s a curious thing where they might lead when you pay attention. I’m participating in 31 Days of SoulStrolling and today’s prompt is – inhale. My mind went on a meandering journey when I first read the prompt. My first association to the word was about the use of drugs. “Oh, I tried…
Category: Ponderings
Stories from my childhood – Piano Lessons
Mrs. Carney’s house for piano lessons. I am eight years old and she, to me, is ancient. My bottom is sweaty from nervousness, and as I arise from the birch bench after my first half hour lesson – a stain. Mrs. Carney’s crinkly grey eyes open wide in shock, or wonder, I’m not sure. My…
Winter Solstice, December 2015
How are you, Soul, on this day? When light lessens and darkness lengthens, as day extends her hand to night, the cosmos dancing about Earth’s axis. Are you celebratory? Eagerly anticipating the quiet dark and slow evolution of returning light. Are you reflective? Noticing the twinkling holiday lights, catching a glimpse of your gaze in…
5 Weeks in France, Part 4 – The Flowers of Paris
My heart hurts and tears drop from my eyes as I remember the attacks in Paris. I know much is being written, shared, posted. I don’t live in Paris. I’m not French. I live in Seattle, but my heart and years of memories reside there. I’m Canadian/American and a ‘tourist’ when I visit. My spirit…
5 weeks in France Part 3 – My Heart Hurts
My heart hurts, so I write – to process my feelings, to grieve, mourn….. I go to words and images, to find my voice. Not so much to search for meaning, for that feels vague. I write to uncover my soul, to dare to go deep into anger, sadness, shock. I write because yesterday’s violence…
5 weeks in France, Part 2 – Patterns Below my Feet
5 weeks in France, Part 2 – Patterns Below my Feet I have this thing with floors. Actually, I have this thing with what’s below my feet. I’ve noticed this for a long time. It’s not a new thing. I find myself wearing shoes/soles that reflect my soul. “Travel by foot. There is so much…
‘Did ecstasy roll at my feet?’ Hiking Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka
“…learn to be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.” Franz Kafka Here’s the thing, hiking Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka was not how I’d imagined. I’d envisioned a dark, somewhat solitary, quiet hike through…
Remembering: Feb. 23, 2007
8 years ago today, my Dad, Jim Heaney, left this physical world to journey beyond. I miss him. Two weeks before he died he spent a week looking after his three grandchildren, with my Mom, while my husband and I SoulStrolled in Paris. He loved them dearly and I wish he’d been able to have…
Winter Reflection
“Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.” Hans Margolius This quote has been lingering and stirring within my soul over the past few weeks. I’ve been taking myself soulstrolling: the practice of walking with awareness, a ‘paying attention’ to what catches my…
Welcoming 2015 and My Word for the Year
The first week of 2015 felt like a rushing wind: full of activities, calendaring surprises, creative bursts and gusts, and a flurry of activity. In the midst of this, I have been attempting to contemplate what ‘word’ might choose me for 2015. I liked my word, water, so much for 2014 that I was reluctant…
‘ The universe knows, be like water’ – going with the flow in Paris
What is water? Element, sustenance, changing, flowing, moving, stagnant, still, stormy… That’s what today has been like for me in Paris. Granted, in the big scheme of things, I’m in Paris! I’m here on my own for a few days before my husband joins me on route home from India. My intention has been to…
Change and ‘taking my soul for a stroll’
I’ve been angsty, irritable, happy, sad, excited and a whole range of emotions in between. My Dad’s voice echoes in my mind, “ShaSha, are you feeling fair to midland?” Yes, is my resounding internal reply. I had one of those ‘aha’ moments in the midst of my morning household cleaning, laundering, tidying up phase today:…
Sharon Richards 