Livin the Dream

                 Vision Quest Series                                                  "My Dar-u-ma"                                                 c-2012

Livin’ the Dream

I’ve been getting up super early these past few days….missing Edy and anticipating my days has me charged up and raring to “carpe diem”. Unfortunately the “plans” of past two days have been thwarted because of medical emergencies on the part of the plan-ees and I have had to readjust accordingly.   In that I am now a yoga-ninja, my “flexibility” in times like these are becoming impressive even to me and I wonder more than once during the day……“Who IS that guy?”

I got a lot done early this AM and headed over to church super early and got a primo seat. I people watched as the throngs entered and struck up a conversation with a young gent next to be who was definitely “charged up” as he had also attended the earlier service and wanted an encore. Messages, Music and Energy were great and I left with my batteries topped off and ready for the coming week.

While in Taos I received a call from one of the yoga instructors I have come to enjoy and he asked if I could help him in developing a business plan for a new venture he is planning in his home country. I was honored. We chatted from afar and then met earlier in the week to go over homework I had suggested. He worked very hard and had developed an impressive amount of critical information that he then input into the template we discussed. We went through his plan line by line and added some more notes and “to do” lists for our next meeting. “Living the Dream” – HIS Dream !!....man, I am such a huge FAN of that!   

Yesterday was my birthday and I had planned to be out on a site measuring and “being productive” but as I alluded earlier, stuff came up and it was just not to be. I decided to turn my pent up energy on my closet and a bunch of remaining files I had on jobs of yore and some other “important stuff” I keep feeling I need to hold on to but have not (yet) brought myself to “pitch”. As I was digging and pitching I came across an old  Daruma I had received as a gift many moons ago.  As the link points out it’s an old tradition and the idea is to present it to someone who is entering into a new venture (adventure). As they firm up their intention they paint in one eye and upon realization of their “dream” the other eye is painted on.  Obviously mine is unpainted. As I looked it over I thought of all the ad-ventures experienced over the past 55 years, perceived thwarts that turned out to be blessings, failures that were actually more blessings and loads of successes and life experiences that are a wonder to behold ……….(AND the ride isn’t even over yet!!). I then thought that a more appropriate visual for my Daruma would be the one eye painted then about a ga-zillion thin wires stuck in the other socket, each with an eye attached wiggling around and looking every which way constantly. For me it’s becoming clearer that is not “one dream” but the accumulation of all the dreams that make it a fun ride.  I am not the one “good eye”.  

I am the “crazy eyes”...........................looking everywhere all at once.

I rode to yoga early thinking my long way ride #3 would get me there at the normal time. I must have been “bookin” because I  had a chance sit out in the rain for almost an hour before class. I watched the doves goofing around and a new set of humming birds fighting over the feeder that just was installed. I also noticed a slew of new lizard babies everywhere so I knew their nest were close by. Rain drops, bird sounds, drip….drip….drip……from the roof repairs that have still not happened.  It was definitely a Zen moment. This then got me thinking about the Daruma and the gent he was modeled after. “Wall watcher” (for 9 years !!) as well as the “Father of Zen”……..for whatever reason I think this is hilarious “Father of Zen”…LOL……….GMAB!...........as I watched the wall across the street ......

My “wa” was soon broken as students began arriving for class. One stopped and chatted and I learned that he had quit his corporate job to pursue a dream that recently become aware of. I applauded him (literally) and offered words of celebration for his new venture.  

Of course there is some trepidation with any new venture, particularly leaving the corporate nest to venture out on one's own, but I loved that he took the risk, bet the farm and signed up anyway. 

I am such a HUGE fan of dreamers !

4 Granted

Vision Quest Series                                               "I met a Girl in France"                                                           c-2003

4 Granted

I had an appointment this morning on the north end of town and left early to get there on time, as I was unfamiliar with the area. I had packed the camera, laser and my “site bag” late last night in preparation of doing some field measures (if required). Traffic was crazy and there were also toll charges so I was glad I brought $ as I rarely carry any unless I know I’m shopping for something these days. Simpler and “lighter”; particularly when I rarely drive anywhere and just bike everywhere these days.

Meeting went very well. The home and site are very workable and the Owners are anxious to implement some changes toward transformation. What I really liked, beside the number of dogs they had was that one set of parents live with them. Like is too mild a word , I LOVED that their folks lived with them. Old Country Traditions;   SOLID as a ROCK !!

I took a slew of interior shots and as I went outside to take more photos of the site and exteriors my body mis-understood my standing in the hot humid weather and thought it was in a Bikram Class. Sweat Faucets went to full ON before I knew it and well…………..so much for an nice ironed dress shirt and slacks (note to self).

Traffic on the way home was as heavy as going and I was reminded how much I hated my daily commute of 150mi for so long…..not so long ago.  I was reminded how great our neighborhood is and that is something have actually taken 4 Granted.  

I followed up with my appointment. when I returned home and was happy to find that I had time to make it to 4:30 yoga. Although it was raining like crazy I loaded up my bike and headed out in the wet and actually made good time. Friday afternoons can sometimes be “iffy” because folks behind the wheel think it’s already the weekend but thankfully everyone was on good behavior.  Class was good and hot and I my yoga buddy of yesterday was there so we chatted a bit before and after class which was nice.

Many of our classes have a number of folks who attend for medical reasons.  Everything from simple injuries to really bad cancer and all in between. They show up and attend classes and do their best.  I overheard a conversation between a few folks listing all of their medical conditions, medicines, side effects and overall quality of life. These folks are younger than I am and thought to myself “Wow, how blessed are you that your body is strong and healthy?”. “SO blessed”, I answered myself, particularly after taking it 4 Granted for over half a century.

Edy, (my love) is having her Birthday today in Taos and mine will arrive tomorrow. It's a bummer that we are not together but we will be soon. We both spend a lot of time giving thanks, listing and voicing gratitudes daily and even hourly, particularly when we are together. It’s a strong practice of affirmation that keeps the compass heading in the right direction. As I rode home today in the rain from class, legs pumping and lungs working hard, I suddenly began thinking that an hour between gratitudes feels way too long.

Fundamental Constants

3 Atoms Series                                                          "Water Wiggle"                                                                       c- 2011

Fundamental Constants

It’s been a whirlwind couple of days around here since I returned from Taos. Meetings,  meetings and more meetings. Then research, drawing, revisions, specifications in the evenings and then throw in some yoga everyday and voila’ it’s already the next day……all over again.

It was nice to re-hydrate after spending time in the high desert but the whirr of an AC system will never compare to the chorus of voices and Big Love I just left. So, I keep my head down and keep moving the ball toward the goal line.

Last night after yoga I returned home and continued some research on available grant monies for a potential LEED project I was asked to look at. Most of the Fed $ has already been allocated and the remaining is being let competitively, so it’s a tight arena for folks trying to get a sliver of free pie before it’s all gone.  “So much for incentives”, I said to no one as I continued my search.

I took a break to eat dinner and invited The History Channel (H2) to dine with me. The dinner guests were expounding on the beginning of the Universe and if there was a GOD that created it, or if it was series of coincidences. One “fact” I found quite interesting as they outlined the Fundamental Constants that were required to align precisely to create what we now have before us, was that if the constants were off by one quintillionth (all the grains of sand on every beach on earth minus one) we’d be screwed. Either the universe would expand too fast OR collapse into a vast black hole.  That’s quite precise in my book.

They then went on to discuss “extra dimensions” (a topic I am a big fan of) parallel universes, string theory and other stuff…..I finished my meal and did not even excuse myself, I just turned them off and went back to work. As I was seeking free gold for my potential client, I thought a lot about what other less cosmic fundamental constants exist in my daily life. A long time ago I heard a guy say that the base requirements for being a human being were to love and be loved / be useful and be needed. As I look back I agree that these are indeed base requirements, really base.

What about just “being”?

This is pretty new to me because I have spent so many years “doing” and then “doing more” but I have become aware lately how I feel around certain people when they do nothing but “be”; nothing else.

This was my experience of the past weeks in Taos. Primarily with Edy, then H&F and then certainly with L1 & L3.  Sure sometimes we’d get into “deep discussions” or “light discussions” and there was some “doing” but the depth of unconditional love I felt in their home along with my love Edy was not action based , it just was. A Fundamental Constant.

I got a call a few minutes ago from one of my yoga buddies. He was just touching base and catching up on stuff since our last conversation mid-summer. He has become recently engaged and with that came a “bonus” of an adult son who he cares for deeply. He shared with me a story of performing a simple act of caring where-by his “son” became so moved that he expressed from a very deep place “how glad he was to have him in his life”. I was very touched and honored to have him share this with me and we both agreed that we have been truly blessed to have selected such wonderful women in our lives to open our hearts wider and wider than we ever thought possible.  “What are the odds?” I thought as I hung up the phone.

”Humm??, I’m guessing about one in a quintillionth”

Original Eyes

Original Eyes

The Taos gang, Edy and I took off yesterday morning to go and visit “Daddy” on one of his current projects deep in the mountains of Northern NM. We picked up a bucket of the Colonel’s Finest with all the fixins and made the trip north from the high desert to the even higher mountain top elevations. As we drove Edy asked me if I remembered how beautiful this part of the globe was and I responded that I was seeing it this day with my Original Eyes and “YES”, it remains stunningly beautiful.

As we drove through town we passed several of the projects that never happened, office complexes we  were going to buy , more projects that never happened and north toward more land we were going to buy……..At the time these all felt like such disappointments, failures and thwarts, but as we drove north with the blue-ist of blue sky above us and a mini-van full of love, excitement and the smell of biscuits I felt such a sense of relief that it was hard to put words to. Actually, if you’ve ever had a narrow miss with a car or deer on the highway that sent you into an instant panic mode and then survived it …………..It’s the feeling directly afterward I am referring to…………………”Whew x1000”!!!  ……and then a few moments after that come the “Thanks!”, and then the new (re-newed?) paradigm of life from that moment forward. It seems that with each trip back here the jolts of awareness subside further into a dreamlike state of other lives and times. And as those jolts of energy wane, my Original Eyes return.   

Our drive took us past rushing rivers, colorful craggy outcroppings of mountains and scenery that at each turn required an entire roll of “mental film” to capture it all. After 45 minutes, we crested a hill and pulled off to answer the call of nature and L1 and I walked down toward the sound of flowing water to recycle some of our own on some stands of Ponderosa. “Pretty here isn’t it, Bud?” I asked him…He took his time looking around and said ”Yes”.  We just stood in silence and watched the white water for a bit before heading back to the van. It was a “half a roll moment”.

The scenery kept getting better and better as we approached “the project” and parked. “Daddy” was inside putting the finishing coats of clear on some full timber beams in the cabin he is restoring. It’s a cool project with spectacular views and he has done a really fine job of bringing the place together. We all stood around enjoying the “bucket of bird” while the boys explored the progress made since their last visit and I got my 1^st tour. Being one who is blessed with loving what I do for “work” allows me to appreciate and respect others who have the same passion. “Daddy” showed me around and pointed various details he was proud of and voiced some of the challenges that he faced during the project and I could “feel” his pride. He has done a great job and the pride is certainly warranted. One thing about his line of work is that you get to “see” the results of each individual task and “feel” the product of days and tasks combined. The place “felt good” to us all.

As we cleaned up the inside picnic area, the ladies took seats at the edge of the cliff overlooking the river while L1 and L3 began instinctively picking wild flowers to “present” to the ladies of their lives. Mexican Poppies of Orange/Pink, Blue Bachelor Buttons, Purple and Yellow Asters and various other yellow, white multi-colored flowers were gathered as acts of love and presented with deep reverence. Gleeful voices could be heard in the distance as new territory was explored and new colorful stands of goodness were discovered.  

We packed up as it began to sprinkle and made our way back down the mountain into the nearest town for a stop at the “Candy Store” to gather some goodies from their vast selection of old and new favorites. The stop was a success and the ride home was quiet and mellow as energy levels had been drained in the higher elevations, despite occasional sugar spikes. Shafts of sunlight acted as key lighting for stands of golden chamisa and aspens that were just starting to pre-mind us of winter’s advance. Grey clouds added contrast to the white ones in the distance and reflections off the asphalt doubled the deep greens and red reds of the mountains and forest on either side of us. 

 

 “Yep” , I thought as we reentered civilization…………..”This really IS a pretty place”.