The Untrimmable Light of the World

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These past few weeks have been tough for my baby. He's been struggling a lot with stress, from work as well as a few life events that left him rather rattled. For months, I've been wishing he could see what I see - as Mary Oliver puts it in her poem below, the 'untrimmable light of the world'. There is so much beauty and joy in the world. I have my down moments like anyone - and for a long time, it was pretty dark - but through meditation, I have learnt to focus on the small things that are extraordinary in their ordinariness.

Everything is so perfect, just in this moment.

The way the light floods onto the blond of the pine in the loungeroom on a cold day, the shape of a dead flower in the vase, the bright, bright crimson of an oystercatcher's beak as it scuttles along the shore. The wind that oohs through the flue as the fire crackles, the prayer flags in flight in the vegetable garden, the ruffles of the chicken feathers as they hightail it from the rain. The orange of my new teapot. Warmly spooned in bed. Aching muscles from cutting wood, the spiralled paths of insects cut into the wattle, the red centre of trunks. Purple clouds, the burgeoning rain. The twinkle of the bells on the front porch, memories of Burma. Dried lemon verbena made fragrant with water boiled on the woodburner when the electricity goes out. Calendula flowers in winter. A fluffy blanket and a good book.

Stacked rocks, the product of someone else's mindful moment. Coasting wedgetailed eagles. Gurgling water swirling in rocks. Turquoise. Sunlight. Cloud formations - waves of clouds, mirroring the tidal push. Whales breaching. A pod of dolphins. Nippled tops of mushrooms. Blue wrens. Pelicans. Willy willys of dust down dirt tracks, rivulets of floodwater. Pine trees, pine needles, cleavers. Sweet creek water from the mountains. Mist coming in.

There is so much softness in the world. Life is perfect, if only we allow ourselves to see it that way.

And so we write a list of things to remember as we head back to work - one to remind him that no matter how tough things get, it passes. There is much joy to focus upon, though the cracks are still there. The light of the world is untrimmable.

Mindful

Everyday
I see or hear
something
that more or less

kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle

in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for —
to look, to listen,

to lose myself
inside this soft world —
to instruct myself
over and over

in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional
,

the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant —
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,

the daily presentations.
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
how can you help

but grow wise
with such teachings
as these —
the untrimmable light

of the world,
the ocean’s shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?

Mary Oliver

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How is your present moment? What softness do you focus on in times of hardship?



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21 comments
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I've been feeling unrooted lately, and I noticed that I needed to create stuff with my hands again. So now I'm felting with silk and wool and it just really really heals me. I hope your loved one also finds a way to feel rooted and better again <3 I'm sure he's lucky to have you around.

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(Edited)

Funny you should say that. I made him by an ocean fishing rod when we were away and after a day of throwing out a line he felt a bit better. I think he finds a little bit of com doing up his Land Rover as well except we have come across a few problems that seemed unsolvable which stressed him out . He keeps forgetting that shitty moments pass and that there is a solution to every problem . What are you doing with silk and wool?

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@riverflows I'm 'Nuno Felting' - migrating wool fibers through silk so it becomes a scarf or whatever you want to make with it really :-) I've been doing a full day of it again today! :D It's exciting :-)

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(Edited)

Needed this today. Not sure how to express myself, deep sigh

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What a beautiful poem! I feel like I need that one taped to my refrigerator. When I am feeling overwhelmed (which happens more often than not) I go out to wherever my goats are parked and just hang out with them. No working, no moving fences, just sitting quietly with them. They gather around me, asking for love, and it's really hard to feel cranky or stressed when there are goats on every side of me, rubbing their heads on me and demanding my attention. Somehow that puts the calm perspective back in my head and I can resume the hectic life I live. I guess it's the way I practice mindfulness. I can't focus on anything else while I'm cuddling with my babies.

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Oh yes I do that with the chooks, except these lot are scared of me. Goats would be much friendlier. We need a dog at least. I love the thought of you snuggling your goats. 🧡💚🧡

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I wish I could loan you a couple of them!

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(Edited)

When i am feeling down and out i take to the streets , beaches , back alleys depending were my feet want to take me and i just keeping walking and walking till my feet can't carry me anymore the fresh air and nature clears my mind :)

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Oh I forget who said it, maybe it was a poet or a monk.or a writer, but they said there was no trouble that couldnt be solved with a good walk. I often make him come for a big walk with me which makes him feel a bit better. Reallly sound advice, @hangin!

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Thank you @riverflows it does always seem to work for me and it's enjoyable and learning. Have a great week :)

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Believe it or not, Steem. The answers and support that I finally found for my life's dilemma were themselves becoming a burden. I was indulging too greatly, and righteous fury began to overcome the joyous relief. There are consequences to all decisions, including the good ones. So I had to step back, and "come up for air" as I mentioned in my most recent post. And as it turns out, Steem was the place to come back to.

There are so many exciting, delightful and intriguing things happening on the blockchain that I'm having trouble keeping up with it all. And that's a welcome respite from a world now so frenetic that I can't keep up with it all.

It's almost as if I'm not supposed to be... ;)

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"In the dew of little things, the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."

So much loveliness in this post - so much love and softness and care. I especially liked this:

t was what I was born for —
to look, to listen,

to lose myself
inside this soft world —
to instruct myself
over and over

in joy,
and acclamation.


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Hi @riverflows!

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