The truth is always easier to remember.

As a child, I would sometimes lie for no reason. I was afraid my father would be mad or disappointed in me, so I would lie to him. I was never very good at lying. I always got caught. But, that never stopped me.

What things in my life do I continue to do even if I am not good at them?

I sing, loud.

I dance, not well, but I love to dance.

I give advice even though my life is not perfect.

I interrupt people because I am so excited to be in the conversation and in the relationship, but they never like or appreciate it, no matter what the reason.

What do you do that you are not very good at?

Are you willing to continue long enough to develop some skill?

What would I do in my life if I knew I could not fail?

I would write bestselling inspirational books that would remain on the New York Times bestseller list for 702 weeks.

I would be a highly sought after international inspirational speaker and teacher focused on helping people unlock their own potential.

I would quit my job and live my dreams.

What would you do?

At the Hop, #7309

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: August 6, 2006; Canon 20D; f/5 @ 1/30 sec; -1/3 EV; ISO 800; 38mm.

__________

Strategic Destruction

The poet Hafiz wrote, "Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like you to find better living conditions."

I have lived in an opulent castle of fear for the past forty-eight years. I personally handled every detail, piece of furniture and floral arrangements, which were delivered fresh daily.

When I allow love into my heart it's equal to packing up one room at a time in the opulent castle, and sending its contents to storage.

It is the strategic destruction of fear.

Sorting through the hoards of fear provides the possibility of a new living address. I can change my zip code any time I choose by giving up the old and unnecessary in my life. Fear falls into this category.

Creation involves destruction.

Look around and listen.

As I move the boxes out of the castle into my humble new abode, I surrender to the divine. In surrender I am recreated into a trusting woman. Mother Earth continuously creates herself anew. I am invited to join her in this cyclical birth/death/rebirth dance which is ongoing and never ending.

I am always up for a good dance.

Past, Present, Future, #4726

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: September 19, 2009; Canon 20D; f/11 @ 1/400 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 100; 18mm.

__________

Rite of Passage

My daughter recently graduated from middle school. Her"tribe" gathered to witness this Rite of Passage. Graduation from eighth grade leaves her perched and ready to swoop down from the tall tree of adolescence into young adulthood and high school.

Everything changes when we cross a threshold.

It may be invisible to the rest of the village, tribe or even the world. But within the terrain of the soul we must stop and take stock of what and who we are in this moment. Then, and only then, can we step onto the path of initiation.

As my daughter received her diploma I was acutely aware that a friend sitting to my left had said goodbye to her boyfriend earlier that morning when he was sentenced to eighteen months in jail.

Another threshold.

Another initiation.

As I consciously held the joy and the sorrow of these two events, a raven flew over the procession of graduates, calling out as if to remind those who may have forgotten, "be who you are," for what other choice is there?

Hannah Stepping into a New World, #8660

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: June 11, 2010; Canon 20D; f/8 @ 1/320 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 400; 100mm.

__________

test post

just a test

Repositioning the Spirit Canoe

There is a river flowing endlessly and each of us have a soul canoe that allows us to ride the river of spirit. We don't have to set goals to get to the destination because the river already knows the way, the way to our own purpose. Each one of us has an individual soul canoe.

Its ours to care for, position in the water and learn the language of the sacred river.

The river flows towards our own True North without fail. We do not have to turn our canoe around to fight the current. There is nothing up river I need. What I need is to release the idea that I am in charge and I know where I am going. I often lose my sense of direction and get confused. When this happens all I have to do is open my heart, mind spirit to the inspiring messages and movement of the sacred spirit river.

Slowly but surely the canoe repositions itself without my EFFORT. It just goes with the flow. And after all the struggle of trying to PUSH my way upstream, I suddenly realize I am flowing on the source of creation towards what I want.

Leaf and Bubbles, #7340

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: April 16, 2010; Canon 20D; f/11 @ 1/250 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 200; 100mm.

__________

Owl Remembering

A white Owl flew into the windshield of my friend's car as she drove from Kona to Hilo. The white majestic bird of prey flew out of the darkness directly towards the lit up vehicle headed to Mauna Loa - the great living volcano.

As the white owl lay dying, Mauna Loa was creating new life. The Goddess Pele reminds us that she changes everything she touches and everything she touches changes.

So it is with the great mystery and with the circle of life.

Owl speaks to me regularly. She calls in the night, though sometime ominous sounding it is always affirming I live on a dynamic planet spinning magically through space.

The owl's howl calls for change, evokes transformation, and re-members me.

I howl for change. And when the echo reaches my ear I hear the call of the Screech Owl.

AHO!

Kilauea Caldera, Hawaii, #8343

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: August 31, 2007; Canon 20D; f/8 @ 1/125 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 800; 17mm.

__________

What If?

What if?

What if I was never born?

What if I never met him?

What if I had studied Marketing instead of Social Work in college?

There really is no way to live life looking in the rear view mirror. When I second guess my past, I am discounting the present moment. Life is happening now. It is not happening is 1976 or in 2024.

My life is right now.

I am exactly where I supposed to be.

Are you?

If you are not where are supposed to be, are you willing to take the necessary steps to get there?

We are all just bozo's on the bus traveling towards bliss or away from pain.

Which is it?

Detour, #5280

© 2010 James W. Murray, All Rights Reserved

(click on image for full-sized version)

* * * * *