THE ESSENTIAL NEED TO BELONG

On a recent visit to Morikami Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida ,I was reminded of an essential theme that is characheristic of all Japanese Gardens. That is the qualitative value of placement in relation to everything else.  

           Everything has a presence because it belongs to the greater landscape that is beheld. We too have a presence when we feel we belong to something greater than only ourselves. Belonging is to "be in longing" and our emotional, spiritual and psychic survival continues to depend upon this, years past one's physical needs have been met.  

Belonging is the deepest request for relational connection that invites us to be both vulnerable to receive, as well as, to participate in offering the best of oneself. Belonging gives us a relational sense of placement in the world in our personal and social framework of one's life. Belonging to something greater than oneself allows us to rest deeper into the womb of life. It creates an environment for one to extract meaning from its surroundings as well as develop a personal sense of meaning and purpose.

When one feels lost in life, it is because feelings of uprootedness and a disconnection from self, other and Spirit occur. Belonging is key to a feeling sense of harmony and peace. We all need to feel we are a "piece" of something in order to be at "peace". It allows one to settle into the soul's body and draw from both one's internal roots of wisdom, the soul wisdom of one' social network and from sources of wisdom experienced as spiritual, in nature. .

When we feel safe and have a sense of belonging, whether it be in the foreground or background of our personal, social, or spiritual landscape, the soul then roots itself comfortably into the body and begins to dwell. This dwelling within allows one then to be  both present to life and free to accept the changes that will naturally occur.

A Gift of Grace

It's Christmas Day and I am in Colorado visiting family. We awoke to a white Christmas with the full sun shinning down on white filled fields of snow. After opening a generous amount of thoughtful, yummy and fun gifts, it was time to take a walk in the soft ladden snow. The path that stretched before us sparkled with fractured rainbow light! Every color danced out of the corner of our eyes, as light bounced off the water cyrstals that were held frozen in form by the cold temperature in the air. I became aware that I was feeling energized and enchanted with each step.  I was aware that I was experiencing, witnessing and sharing together a wonderful moment, a gift of Grace.

I realize how special it is when such moments meet us unexpectedly, in our natural world. We cannot create them, just simply receive them, if we are paying attention. We can assume though, that there are always "moments" awaiting us if we remain receptive. Our soul needs to be ready and open like a Native American dreamcatcher. My moment today was a shared moment. One, I am aware of,  that will not be repeated again. No moment can.  I am aware of partaking in a sacred moment of communion with another, within myself and with Other.

 What makes this a moment of Grace is the awakening in my senses that raised my consciousness and  heightening my Lightness of Being. Both my body, my mind and my soul are uplifted. I am in the "extraordinary" meeting place where natural and cosmic forces are visible and felt. The place one perceives as "magical", and  spiritual.... Before me are the Presence of Light Beings present everywhere in the snow. They are magnifying light for all of us and blessing our Earth. Only for a moment, do I experience all that I speak of; Only for a moment that wil be a remembrance of mine forever.

Blessing through this Season of Light; Merry Christmas!