I write this mid-morning. The sun is up, birds are chirping, and I sit. As I prepared to read the newspaper and sip tea, my inner voice of wisdom said, “Sit. Be still.” I listened.

I notice tiny leaves sprouting from the tree branches outside the window. I notice not so tiny new growth boldly rising from the evergreen shrubbery just beyond the tree. Suddenly and quietly I am mesmerized by the steam rising from my tea. Swirls of steam that spiral clockwise and then counterclockwise. The air is still. Why the shifting spirals? Sometimes in one outwardly expanding vortex, sometimes in twin tornadoes the steam rises.

Fascinated by the pattern, I watch. I dare not sip the tea for fear of disrupting the lovely forms.

Gratitude sifts through me like steam swirling through air. What a simple gift, this being present to whatever is before me in a given moment. What a simple gift this noticing what is right here. What a simple gift, the gift of stillness. May the simple gift of presence grace your life each and every day.

Equinox blessings,

Cathy
PS– Spring arrives for those of us on Eastern time shortly after midnight tonight. This equinox is a powerful time to release that which is no longer needed and to intentionally anchor in that which you are moving toward. Consider creating a ritual to either release something old or to strengthen something new that is arising in you. Rituals can be as simple as lighting a candle and saying a prayer, or as elaborate as creating art, music, dance to assist with release and evolution.

Quotes:

it is very important to be idle with confidence, with devotion, possibly even with joy. The days when even our hands do not stir are so exceptionally quiet that it is hardly possible to raise them without hearing a whole lot.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters on Life

“Be still
Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity”
― Lao Tzu