Pythian Games

Having read the lists of others, I am pressed to consider what inspires me to live this creative life. I notice that inspiration comes from the strangest, most painful, and humorous places. A myriad of emotions, sometimes conflicting, assail me as I compile my list.

WHAT INSPIRES ME

The four seasons…Summer: Sweltering hot days give way to cool summer evenings where the earth breathes in the cool air and living things that found the day too difficult come out to fresh air and gentle breezes that carress the body.  Autumn: The spectacular display of color provided by the tree people and the brisk snap to the mornings.  Winter: Reading, writing, drawing while snuggled in warmth (fleece or flannel) on the sofa with lots of pillows where I can see both the fireplace and the backyard as the winds and rain whips through the trees.  Spring: The alternating thunderstorms and days warming the ground as seedlings grow and flowers bloom to perfume the air.

Being a mother…finding out I was pregnant after so many years and tens of thousands of dollars…from that point on has been my biggest joy, my best job, and the most fulfilling part of my life. And this I know to be true…I AM AN EXCEPTIONAL AND INCREDIBLE MOTHER!!

The sound of the wind blowing the dried pods of the pepper trees making the trees rattle.

Clouds of all shapes and sizes moving across that indescribable shade of blue background.

My daughter’s singing, dancing, laughter, love, dreams, and compassion.

My husband’s joking, gentle, giving heart, strong broad chest to lay my head upon, and dimples when he smiles.

Sunsets gloriously colored, often striated with hues of orange, pink, purple, yellow, and red.

The full moon as it first appears on the horizon and continues to rise into a large golden or lavendar globe in the night sky. The way it shimmers in ribbons upon the ocean’s water.

The stories and poetry of my youth.

My mother’s hugs and her cheek resting against mine.

Babies. Babies sleeping, watching, crying, snuggling, anything they want to do as long as I’m holding them.

The sound of children’s laughter.

The sounds of a school yard…children’s voices, teatherball chains striking the metal pole, screaming as the children run or play dodge ball.

Water that is moving. It can be the sight of a river meandering through the countryside, a fountain before a skyscraper in the city, a waterfall in the tropics, or a waterfountain on the table.

The ocean…the Pacific that carried the ashes of my fisherman father around the world; that is home and habitat to great species such as the whale and dolphin, shark and squid; the bountiful and colorful water and creatures; the way the waves break on upon the land.

The delta breeze or the wind as it playfully toussles my hair, strokes my eyelids, blows the cobwebs out of my head and the stink off my body.

Art, mine or others. That which is created by the mind is astounding.

Books, books, books written by those with a true gift of teasing my emotions, taking me to places unknown, and making me laugh out loud in public.

People who aren’t afraid to take the fun with them wherever they go for they have the true gift of changing people’s days. These are the people who sing out loud to the music in the grocery store, dance for joy on the sidewalk, and make waiters and waitresses laugh in restaurants.

Being with family that I have chosen, those friends who have known me and my best, my worst, and love me anyway; who encourage me to put my talents on display, travel to see my daughter’s performances, wrap their arms around me and tell me they love me for no reason other than we are together.

The past…memories of parties at my aunt and uncle’s house, times when my dad still lived with us, being on the boat, silly songs and family sayings, stories about me in my early years, stories about my ancestors, remembering old loves.

Heartbreak and sadness. In reading my youth, I note that I wrote the most when unhappy or sad as though proving I was alive and visible, I had something to offer to others, there was something to like-even love-about me.

Helping people through Reiki, sound/vibrational healing, heart centered therapy, and intuition.

Connecting into that which is, the deep spiritual connection that allows me to “know” and put into words what is so difficult to communicate.

My father…his humor that has lived on, his lessons, his gift of continuing to speak to me through others at every possible opportunity.

Soul Food Cafe, Lemurian Rookery, SS Vulcania, etc. inspires me to no end as I see the words, art, jewelry, and other creations of those who share what I love…these strangers that have given me so much and fed my soul by being there as I discover myself over and over again.

Life! Life inspires me more that I can say. The way the pieces fit together; the existance and connectedness of all living things; the life stories of people I meet; my own life story that is still being written; witnessing people live their lives.

In making this list I realize just how blessed my life is and has been. Though the hardships have been many and the accomplishments often not acknowledged, I know that I am living a good life, doing the best I can. Life is good.