Appreciating Gifts Unexpected

Ashdown Forest

Kew Gardens

With the sunny weather and days off from work I have been able to take the opportunity to go out and be in 'The Nature' as the Swede's say. On Thursday I decided to go for a mini adventure and explore somewhere near that I didn't know. Ashdown Forest. Hoping for bluebells ~ tantalizing just out of touch at the beginning of the trail was a cut off woodland with sea of violet blue. I went on expecting trees green and hoping for blue bells at Ashdown Forest. Instead, I got heathland with panoramic views and honey smelling golden gorse with orange tipped white butterflies and the distant call of cuckoos.

I also met a young man at pooh bridge who had neatly dismantled a computer game each part laid out neatly across the bridge. He proceeded to ask me why I was wearing a dress and trousers. I didn't know how to respond other than I frequently did so. "Weird" was his response and proceeded to show me how his swing across the river worked with the unfortunate side effect of being like a "cheese cutter". An interesting 'modern day' guardian me thought. After getting lost after the bridge I ended my walk with 4 whopping blisters from my trusted Birkenstocks who have never failed me before.

I was curious to experience early on in my walk, not just the once but twice, people more local to the area lost asking me directions. Which I was able to do from my scanty guide book. Later on when I got lost I had mis-interpreted the guide book ~ which was written word not visual map. I had not gone with my instincts which were right.

Two days later somewhat hobbling, I went to Kew Gardens in search of bluebells up close. And bluebells I found in such abundance. So I feel even the blisters are gifts encouraging me to keep reaching outside of my comfort zone, to experience and explore more.

So, what do I do with my old shoes no longer fit for purpose? Can't recycle them yet as I am not ready to walk bare foot in the city. Next time shall I risk not taking a map? My blisters transient, my memories clear and lasting.

***

Kew

Waiting for the sun to shine with the largest audience he opened up. Cameras flashing lens zooming. A cacophony of screams, screeches, shouts. Children skip run finger tip his feathers. He circles. Wind bellowing his sail. Stills the air before shaking his feathers, rippling eyes flashing fires of stars. Rattle snake whispering stroke of thunder. You are beautiful I say out loud again and again and again...

Robert Sadler installation
I get that I am here to learn. But am I asking the 'right' questions.
?

"The moment you come to trust chaos, you see God clearly. Chaos is divine order, versus human order. Change is divine order, versus human order. When the chaos becomes safety to you, then you know you're seeing God clearly."

Caroline Myss, "Spiritual Madness: The Necessity of Meeting God in Darkness"

Fifth Sun ~ Fifth Element

What Carlos Barrios and the Mayan Elders are Saying About 2012

“We are no longer in the World of the Fourth Sun, but we are not yet in the World of the Fifth Sun. This is the time in-between, the time of transition. As we pass through transition there is a colossal, global convergence of environmental destruction, social chaos, war, and ongoing Earth Changes.”
He continues: “Humanity will continue, but in a different way. Material structures will change. From this we will have the opportunity to be more human. We are living in the most important era of the Mayan calendars and prophecies. All the prophecies of the world, all the traditions are converging now. There is no time for games. The spiritual ideal of this era is action.”
“The economy now is a fiction. The first five-year stretch of transition from August 1987 to August 1992 was the beginning of the destruction of the material world. We have progressed ten years deeper into the transition phase by now, and many of the so-called sources of financial stability are in fact hollow. The banks are weak. This is a delicate moment for them. They could crash globally, if we don’t pay attention. Now, people are paying attention.”
“The element of the Fifth Sun is celestial. Within the context of Ether there can be a joining of the polarities. No more darkness or light in the people, but an uplifted unity. But right now the realm of darkness is not interested in this. They are organized to block it. They seek to unbalance the Earth and its environment so we will be unready for the alignment in 2012.”
“We need to work together for peace, and balance with the other side. We need to take care of the Earth that feeds and shelters us. We need to put our entire mind and heart into pursuing unity and unity now, to confront the other side and preserve life.”
“We are disturbed — we can’t play anymore. Our planet can be renewed or ravaged. Now is the time to awaken and take action. Everyone is needed. You are not here for no reason. Everyone who is here now has an important purpose. This is a hard but a special time. We have the opportunity for growth, but we must be ready for this moment in history.”

Photo by Riccardo Savi