It's all about The Dirt:

“To really ask is to open the door to the whirlwind. The answer may annihilate the question and the questioner.”
~ Anne Rice

Inner depth and movement trigger the questions of asking, like a springboard of life. Then the questions lead to answers that are even beyond our realm of imagination. We ask, we ask again, then ask some more… but until we are ready to really ACT on answers is when “ah ha” truly happens.

What is the answer? What truly happens?

Inner freedom is peace within ourselves. No one else leads our solo journey of life when we allow ourselves to choose what to do with the lessons we are given. We can accept wisdom from all the divine places and people that bless our lives… if we listen. Those pearls of wisdom come from everywhere: The earth, words, eyes, touch, a book, a ride, a simple ritual; all moments in time that suspend us for a seconds or longer in true bliss.

What are some paths to the answers?

Stop talking and listen. Look at someone, deeply. Smile to brighten a spirit or send love. Think about kindness, gentleness, compassion and wear it every day like a badge of honor. Breathe IN the solid air that sends your legs running up a mountain full of bounding energy. Breathe OUT knowing you expand your consciousness in living each time. We are interconnected with substance; we all have hearts, souls and love to give. Every one of us is fully equipped to get all the answers we need for our inner freedom if we let… it… in.

“What am I supposed to learn today?”

My first sign was on my sunset trail run in town, I came across some deer making their way down a cliff to graze on the sparse grass that wasn’t covered in snow. I went one way on the trail, and they went the other. I came around a switchback to find another doe and a big buck with his big rack. I almost ran into them as they were coming onto the trail. We were all surprised, but there was little fear in us. It was as if I ran into a friend and we waved hi as we crossed paths. There was no intention of harm. I sent them love and went on my way running into the freshly fallen snow.

My second sign was watching “The Secret Life of Bees” snuggled up my daughter Elle. It came to the part where Lily meets the bees for the first time. August lifts the tray loaded with bees, and Lily closes her eyes and waves her hand over the bees to send them love… love.

My ASK of the day was given, my purpose of the moment was uncovered in the most apparent way because I listened. So I did… I sent love to myself, my family, my friends, my strangers, my buck, my feet for getting me to run. I sent love to my heart and fingers for writing this.

What’s next, I ask? I guess I’ll find out tomorrow… and intentionally act upon it!!

“The man (woman) never feels the want of what it never occurs to him to ask for.” ~Arthur Schopenhauer

Photo credit

“Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.” – Robert Browning

Last night, my son Devin handed me some acrostic poems he wrote. Although his math skills are challenged, I’m floored and adored by these words. His spirit is light, his heart big and wide, and that’s what matters most. Enjoy these words from a soul with only 11 years of life:

       Small and smart
       Yearning for a meaning
       Made for a marking
       Branded for a definition
       Oiled for history
       Learning its self
                          Wonderingly, Self Explanatory, Symbol
                          One or more lines fit perfectly together,
                          Reading thousands at a time,
                          Doing its job explaining the world

Slithering, moving mass of power,
Not scared of anything,
Always alert,
Kind and gentle,
Earning the trust of millions

Love on your kids, read what they write, look into their eyes, see their spirit…

(Symbol photo)
(Word photo)
(Snake photo)

What’s the magic answer to being a centenarian?

Food, lifestyle, or where you live?
Lots of kids, ability to laugh, rich or poor?
Genetics, spirituality or less stress?

The holy grail of age. I don’t want it if I’m in a nursing home hooked up to tubes and fed meds…no thanks. Just let me pass away gracefully without a fuss. I came into the world with smiles among me, and I want to leave that way. Rejoice for my life. Just spread my ashes somewhere peaceful.

But if I do live to have a 3-digit birthday, believe me, it’ll be one serious bash. All are welcome. Just another day to celebrate a century of a life. I see palm trees, blue water, mountains, piña coladas and many great memories that you’ll have to remind me of. The bucket list will be fully checked off and since most of them are mental and physical feats, I’ll be one tough cookie. I want to jump out of a plane, do some more night dives, climb some 14ers, become deeper spiritually and emotionally, detach from material things, and touch tons of lives.

How do we get there?

Physical commonalities of most centenarians tend to be genetic traits, tall and lean, no heart disease or diabetes, and most showed no signs of dementia before 92. Don’t rule yourself out though if you don’t fit, because you never know.

Common characteristics of most centenarians include:

♦ No heavy smoking or alcohol.
♦ A surprising number of women had babies in their 40’s. If a woman is    fertile into her 40’s, it can be a sign that the body is aging slower than    normal.
♦ They have at least one other long-lived close relative in their family    histories.
♦ They have an innate ability to deal with stress.
♦ Most have live in non-industrial and less toxic environments.
♦ They are profound believers in the spiritual, and are actively involved in    their religion.

My grandparents are well into their 80’s. The last five years have been a bit hard for them; my grandma has deteriorating eyesight and my grandpa’s mind isn’t what it used to be, but they’re still strong. They’ve had nine kids of which include seven girls. My grandpa should be dead by now growing up with one bathroom for eleven people, and the financial strain for food, clothes and Catholic school.

But my grandpa is different breed. He has the most soothing voice, calm personality, and no matter how often my grandma freaks out, he takes it with grace and poise. He has this natural ability to ride the waves of stress, and also to pass it onto others. He used to take us “To the moon for stinky cheese”, (out for ice cream), always gives me squeezy hugs, holds my face in his hands and tells me how much he loves me. Just thinking of him gives me a sense of peace. What would the family do without grandpa?

Grandma gets the rest of the family to really feel. She has a spirit that soars like an eagle. She’s the light of all of our lives and she cares about everyone. She burns food that everyone finally started to love (did we have a choice?), feeds us ’til we’re more than full, and always tells us “I’m sooo proud of you”. She insists on giving all of her 28 grandchildren and great grandchildren gifts at Christmas. And she’d be rich if she owned stock in Hallmark cards because all 37 of us get a birthday card, even though she can’t see it well. Can you imagine having seven daughters taking your clothes and your mind? Not to mention the trouble-maker boys. What a true blessing she is to the family.

But the common thread between the two is their deep faith in God. They are the strong pillars of our family. They ground us when life gets crazy.

So make your bucket list and start checking it off, treat your body like a temple, let those gnarly, mean people roll past you, and see your life beyond the surface. Treasure everyday that you share, dance, look someone in the eye and smile, dream, be warm and open to others…

…and invite me to your 3-digit birthday so we can celebrate. Colada cheers.

(cake photo credit)
(hammock photo credit)