Perched

"Perched"  Mixed Media by Eliza Lynn Tobin

    This painting that I finished this week, perfectly describes where I've been at lately: "Perched on the edge of my perceived limitations, I can see farther then I ever imagined" it reads. Yes, I am perched, right at the edge of several of the dreams I've been scheming upon for a while. And it is terrifying (for I could fall or fail) and thrilling (I could succeed). Yoga has been helping me to slowly, quietly, lovingly, and gently nudge me closer to that edge. It is the force that opens my eyes to possibilities beyond what I can imagine. Maybe it makes me stronger and more able to experience my limitations without folding underneath them before I can slowly, quietly, lovingly, and gently push past them. The practice continues to help me really feel, really understand, the idea that we all have a unique gift to offer the world, that is ours alone to give. In my yoga practice (when I get past all my lame excuses not to practice), I see some glimpses of that gift, of that knowing that I possess something unique to me and it is my responsibility to share that gift no matter how scary that feels. 

      This morning, I ran across Jaime Ridler's "Wishcasting Wednesdays" prompt. It was "what do you wish to give" and as if she had been reading my mind, I started thinking about the answer to that question in relation to my "perching" on this edge of limitations. I thought about how giving my unique gift to the world was what I wished to give. By doing so, I might empower others to share their own true gifts in life. When each of us does this, I'd like to believe that it makes the world a better place. We all have something beautiful and unique to offer the world. How do we learn to get out of our own way enough to give it? How do I get out my own way and jump over my fears like the Cow jumps over the Moon?

      I think about what I could give if I did in fact jump over the moon of my fears without fear of failure or falling. Perhaps giving my unique gift to the world is how I could effect the world we life in positiviely--If we offer our unique gift (even if it scares us, especially if it scares us) and in turn others feel inspired to give their unique gifts, then suddenly all our lives are brighter, more colorful, more full of expression and love. Perhaps more gratitude would be offered, more care taken, more light shone into more dark places, more compassion to replace hatred, more healing to replace suffering, more peace to replace violence. More people would feel more full and we would all get to celebrate in that. So this wednesday, this ordinary day of extraordinary life, I wish to give my unique gift fearlessly, the unique expression of who I am (however that chooses to express itself). 

Perched