A Simple Kind of Space
All Within Just A Glance
Greetings to you my dearest reader,
It is so nice to take this time, this moment with you, right now. Time to breathe. It’s ok. Just take this momentary pause for yourself
There…now we’ve landed together. How does that feel?
I’m not sure about you, but, every turn of the season, through the beauty of spring, here in the Northern Hemisphere, (or if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, the fall) it’s always such a transition to work through. Ya know?
I tend to get quite thrown off. Even though the less abrasive, warm air feels amazing. Why is that? But, I have found that the more time I spend looking at the subtleties within my daily life, going slower, being in nature, and cultivating my daily self-care practice, allows space to catch myself in the high anxiety moments and remind myself to breathe. Those high-anxiety moments still come in many multiples, believe me. But, taking the time to go into my space and letting that be my focus, and allowing what is meant to be felt on a particular day, just be. Feelings are not good or bad, they just are. And they will find a way to show themselves at some point. So, taking time to contemplate has become a valid ritual that has helped to hold my center.
It may feel quite challenging at the moment when something frustrating is occurring. But, our power is always there. As we are moving through our thirteen-year-old son's leukemia treatment journey, we are continuously learning how to deal with situations. Life has changed so much and we are constantly evolving and changing just as human beings, and how we relate to one another on a daily basis. It has forced us to be extremely conscious and focused in certain ways and let go of things we just do not have the space to hold. A shedding of sorts. And the understanding of how truly precious life really is. We are only here for a little bit of time. So, how do we want to spend that time?
Through all the suckiness of watching our kid become a warrior and have to deal with cancer, we have been able to witness him become reborn, in a way. Since he has not been able to go back to school, in the traditional sense, we have watched his natural mind flourish. His iron will has been quite astonishing to see! And not something we would have had the pleasure of watching otherwise, at least to this extent. When he isn’t feeling crummy and low energy, he has become quite the little chef, teaching himself how to cook steak in a cast iron pan, with butter, garlic, and rosemary, nearly every day. Seemingly, perfecting his craft with every wield of the spoon, dousing the butter over the steak, and then plating up his meal, like a top chef. We love you, cows! Just him finding a meal he really likes to eat was a miracle, in and of itself. The appetite thing can be challenging through chemo. Finding a favorite meal has empowered him to help himself heal his own body. He is currently learning how to perfect eggs benedict! I got lucky the other morning, after I finished up my morning practice, he brought me his latest creation to try. I was gobsmacked! His hollandaise, delicious! And the yoke…runny! I have never even tried making this dish, myself. His desire to create and learn has been inspiring.
This has indicated to us that we CAN trust. Through the trials of this journey, which there will be more, it is ok to just allow. We can allow our grief to come, and it's okay if we feel joy in congruence, that’s ok. That’s definitely a daily occurrence. So, taking the time regularly, to be in that special space on a routine basis has been such an amazing gift, through this very personal family journey.
Eggs Benedict
April is National Poetry Month!
One of my ways to take time to go to my space is by writing, obviously. I’m challenging myself to write a poem every day. A 1 for 30 challenge. Without any consequences. If I miss a day, it’s ok. I can start again. Come on and follow along and share your poems, if you’d like. If not, that’s ok, too! Write them and keep them all to yourself.
So, here is one I wrote the other night after hanging out, as a family, sitting around our first bonfire of the season. It felt great to just laugh and enjoy the spring air, under the crisp, bright waning gibbous moon.
My current mantra of choice right now is a song by one of my favorite artists, Simrit. She is a beautiful singer performing in a style referred to as ethereal wave, neo-psychedelic world beat.
The song is called Just A Glance. It is inspired by a Sufi poem. And in the song, the lyrics mean that feeling of spaciousness or a void-like feeling one may feel while having a human experience; listening to music, watching a film, or being with someone. The ‘Just A Glance’ means that you can experience that void, everything everywhere, in just one small glance. This song lives on her 2019 album, ‘When We Return.’ Also, sang live on her album, ‘Live in Los Angeles 2019.
I made a Simrit playlist with a few of my favorites. Her music is deeply meditative. Enjoy!!
So speaking of transitions, moving into a new season with as much ease as possible I created a little something just for you, my dear reader.
A weekly spirit journal called Seven Days Embraced. Something to help you land into a contemplative space.
Enjoy finding your own simple kind of space!
Coffee Talk!!
So, it just so happens that today is the first day of Passover. Our little Cahews( Jewish/ Catholic babies love celebrating these pivotal holidays in accordance with our faiths.
Being interfaith has been an interesting and mind-expanding journey. (More on that later!)
So, I read an article last year from
about the extension of the seder plate into contemporary times. We loved this inclusive way of celebrating our Passover holiday tradition and decided to bring it to our Seder table. On the extended plate, an artichoke represents the interfaith community, an orange, represents women and LGBTQ, and olives, symbolize peace in the middle east and all around the world. And lastly, Fair-Trade chocolate AND COFFEE reminds us that slavery still exists, around the world, today, as does the issue of forced child labor. So, we thought it was important to bring these issues to the forefront as we honor all of our family. Happy Passover!!!
Heart Happenings:
Come visit my shop!
Apostrophe Soul!
I am working on a “relaunch” of sorts to infuse some new energy back into it, as we are moving into a more adaptive phase of our son’s treatment. So, that means I get to spend some more time hanging out in it again. It’s one of my favorite places to be! I love creating special pieces to list and treasure-hunting for rad vintage pieces just waiting to be found! New goodies coming soon!!
I just did my first book signing ever!! It was so much fun!! A poem I wrote, called Mimicking Life was accepted into this incredible anthology called Gal’s Guide Anthology: Journey.
Gal’s Guide is the first lending library dedicated to women’s history in the United States, located in Noblesville. IN.
So, incredibly grateful to their director, Leah, and everyone at Gal’s Guide! Check them out at galsguide.org
They are running a People’s Choice contest for the authors in the new anthology. So, grab a copy and vote! It’s a great organization to support! Shout out to my cousin, Colleen for her support during the event and for letting us crash at her house. It was a fun little, Spring Break girl’s trip for my daughter and me!
It was an honor to be included as the Feature 17 last week with Hellokoo on Instagram!!!
Check out their Substack here!
An amazing, supportive community dedicated to writing haikus, called Hellokoos which are a more broadened version of the nature-based haiku tradition.
Photo Credit:
So, in parting, I ask a simple question, what will you do to create a little more space for yourself?
And lastly, what was your favorite part of today? Do share, if you like. If not, that’s cool. Keep it with your heart. Think about it as you close your eyes going to sleep tonight.
With Grace & Gratitude,
Mary Beth
Aw, thank you!💛
Beautiful sharings my friend!