I was just sent an email from my favorite cousin, actually one of my favorite people in the world, and now I need to share it with the world. Its about hugs--via Italy and You Tube--and it is very special.
What is even more special to me is that my cousin is the one that taught me how to hug--by doing. I was not raised with a lot of outward affection and was always shy about that. Growing up though I didn't have anything positive or negative attached to hugging as far as I can remember--just wasn't used to it.
I do remember visiting him in his state of Oregon where he lives-- with a view of the sea meeting the mountains--right outside his windows--poor baby huh??? But no matter where one lives life is still life. I wrote that sentence with the idea "LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!" ringing in my head--as if there are no problems if one can see the ocean from their windows-- which has been my idea for years. But being wiser or maybe just older I realize that again--life is still life.
He lives his life and sharing is a big part of it, but in a way that does not invade ones privacy or compromise any values. HE HUGS! I watched him during my visit, which now to date, was one of several. I watched him hug friends and I watched their reactions. I felt him hug me just to say good morning and I remember how it made me feel. So I asked him how that all began and how does one go about hugging another person. Sounds like a silly question but if your not used to that behavior --which I doubt many in the western world are--it comes on a need to know basis and I needed to know. I was profoundly aware that I was missing out on something that was priceless yet has no price.
He told me that he could not remember when he started hugging but simply put--it is free like a smile and also like a smile, allows one to be a part of anothers life if only for an instant. I love that idea for thats what life is--instants--seconds built into minutes; built into hours; built into days--you get the idea. Anyway I also asked how can I start hugging. He said, "just do it and it will become second nature." He was right and 25 years later I am still doing it. Talk about an ice breaker... Of course if you go in for the hug and the other person does a back flip then perhaps they are not ready for such closeness--so go accordingly. But in all these years I have never had that happen. Hugging is how I say hello and good bye whether I know you for now or forever.
So when I received this email and connected to You Tube, I watched; I smiled; I cried. Once we all realize that nothing is expected--no strings are attached, no monetary value connected we become free to share a little part of ouselves with another human being. The feelings it brings are instantly gratifying and forever uplifting. Please watch this segment from Italy and follow the experiment as people begin to leave their insecurities and uncertainties behind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN8CKwdosjE
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
My Next Life
When this life merges into the next and provided I have an option of what or who to be, I have decided to live my next life as a DANDELION! We have many sharing our 6 and 1/4 acres, but most seem to inhabit and thrive on the what is considered to be --the front lawn. The front lawn is usually the place I mow so I am sure not to include new plantings or other flowers getting ready to bloom during the demolition of way too long grass. There are those in my household that believe machines rule--so if a flower gets caught in its path--it must have been in the way.
Sooooo as I was mowing my front the other day, I noticed how healthy, strong and seemingly proud these little wonders are. Their "flower" is not totally ugly and to me looks nice when seen massed in a field. The stems from some are clearly almost a half inch in diameter--huh??? We better get checked for any nuclear run off here. There leaves are hearty and thrive anywhere I believe. I can attest to on the lawn, in the dirt, in the cracks of macadam, in between every walkway we have, in the sun, shade, and in between. So when left alone they have a rather long and continuous life span.
I have known that my ancestors used this wonder for salads and wine--- making it practically a plant to be worshipped. If I would google it I am sure there would be tons of info as well but I won't.
I'm not ready for the next life yet so until then I lead my mower around cautiously and continue my damage to their species. When done, it does look, to the naked eye, as if the grass is trimmed and the dandelions are gone--mainly because the yellow is no longer present. But remember those stems I mentioned---well here is what happens. They don't get cut-- they lie down and squeeze themselves closer to the ground. There is intelligent life here. I know this to be so cause the very next morning I come out to take a peak and there are tones of headless stems standing proud and unconquered. I now have a lawn that looks as if it is loaded with green pencils.
I will make another pass with the mower and just like a sharpener make those stems a little shorter for they will again lie down and play dead til the next day. Yes I could dig them out by the roots but then that seems drastic and far too time consuming on a summer day. Besides we are developing a bond of sorts. I am beginning to respect their determination to survive. Now put all that together --Purpose, Poise, Persistence, Pretty (at times), Pride without Prejudice--and there's more if I take the time. Looking at all those attributes and pondering the idea of re incarnation--brings me full circle to looking forward to the possibility of returning as a DANDELION. Now if I knew I could pick my own location.............
Sooooo as I was mowing my front the other day, I noticed how healthy, strong and seemingly proud these little wonders are. Their "flower" is not totally ugly and to me looks nice when seen massed in a field. The stems from some are clearly almost a half inch in diameter--huh??? We better get checked for any nuclear run off here. There leaves are hearty and thrive anywhere I believe. I can attest to on the lawn, in the dirt, in the cracks of macadam, in between every walkway we have, in the sun, shade, and in between. So when left alone they have a rather long and continuous life span.
I have known that my ancestors used this wonder for salads and wine--- making it practically a plant to be worshipped. If I would google it I am sure there would be tons of info as well but I won't.
I'm not ready for the next life yet so until then I lead my mower around cautiously and continue my damage to their species. When done, it does look, to the naked eye, as if the grass is trimmed and the dandelions are gone--mainly because the yellow is no longer present. But remember those stems I mentioned---well here is what happens. They don't get cut-- they lie down and squeeze themselves closer to the ground. There is intelligent life here. I know this to be so cause the very next morning I come out to take a peak and there are tones of headless stems standing proud and unconquered. I now have a lawn that looks as if it is loaded with green pencils.
I will make another pass with the mower and just like a sharpener make those stems a little shorter for they will again lie down and play dead til the next day. Yes I could dig them out by the roots but then that seems drastic and far too time consuming on a summer day. Besides we are developing a bond of sorts. I am beginning to respect their determination to survive. Now put all that together --Purpose, Poise, Persistence, Pretty (at times), Pride without Prejudice--and there's more if I take the time. Looking at all those attributes and pondering the idea of re incarnation--brings me full circle to looking forward to the possibility of returning as a DANDELION. Now if I knew I could pick my own location.............
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