waking up

rising
fresh,
naturally,
without having set the alarm clock
this cool
bright
blue sky
autumn morning.

i wake smiling
under the covers.

i love fall!

i love the colors
the scents in the air
increasing
firelight
&
candlelight
unearthing stored
sweaters
&
blankets
enjoying
pumpkin pie
&
eating warm foods
&
baking
breathing in
crisp air,
the cool & refreshing
breath of god/dess.

this is where i am spending time
at the beginning
of this day.
usually
this is where i come
at the end
of my days.
days recently
full of
exhaustion
sadness
darkness
anxiety
weight
grief.

i've been speechless lately.

i've been receiving the message:
listen to & follow your heart, dear girl.
and, please, please, please take really good care of you.

truth-fully
all i've wanted to do is lay down this week.
and, i have been (at least after my work day).
yet, there is a part of me that wasn't allowing me
fully
to settle in to the laying down, the resting.
there is a part of me that still thinks
i have to do something
to cause a shift
to create a shift
out of
darkness
exhaustion
worry
weight...

and, i recognize, that sometimes this is true & appropriate: to do.
and, sometimes, my work is simply
allowing.
letting me
be
still
and
quiet.
being as light
and
gentle
as i am able/available.
softening.
letting it lift,
shift,
unfurl
naturally.

now
i am looking at a card on my desk that a dear friend, sb, sent to me for my birthday.
there is a black & white photo of a little boy standing on the beach, the waves crashing behind him,
his arms raised high,
fists clenched
champion-like
and these words written in bright orange:
"yes! You can do IT!"

what am i saying,
exclaiming,
proclaiming
"yes!"
to
this morning?

yes! to partnership & intimacy (with spirit, friends & a life partner).
yes! to being a mother.
yes! to welcoming this new season.
yes! to a 2.5 day visit with my dear friend, with whom i share the same name, different spelling. she arrives in less than 4 hours!
yes! to taking really good care of my body, mind & spirit.
yes! to time with nature.
yes! to writing.
yes! to listening fully & deeply to my divine heart.
yes! to living with integrity.
yes! to communicating responsibly.
yes! to stillness, quietness, ease, gentleness & grace.
yes! to whole-ness.
yes! to health & well-being.
yes! to trusting & truth-telling.
yes! to loving.
yes! to being at home.

and, you, dear heart, what are you exclaiming & proclaiming yes! to this day?