PIKE ON A BIKE

I haven’t posted a journal entry in nearly a year…a YEAR!?!?  How can that be??  I never used to understand when people would say ‘where does the time go’ but lately, I get it.  Moments, hours, days and months, they seem to quite literally fly, and I suppose instead of writing about them I chose to just be in them.  This is not to say I haven’t been writing - i’ve been collecting thoughts, memories, lyrics and songs along the way, just haven’t been too keen to share my musings and my little ‘works in progress’, at least not quite yet.  This has been a major period of transformation, and I have felt the need to keep quiet while observing, interacting and processing. 

This morning I had the privilege of singing my song ‘I Believe’ for the wonderful folks who commissioned it along with a group of 700 or so in Niagara Falls at a conference which brought together leaders in Post-Secondary Education from across Canada and abroad.  They kicked off the conference with a group of First Nations Aboriginals speaking, singing and opening with a ‘prayer’.  I was deeply affected by this ritual, which honoured the earth, the sun, the elements, the animals, and of course, each other.  They talked about the tradition of ‘smudging’, the bringing together of four tangible elements from the earth into one, to heal the body from the inside out and serve to remind us that we are united with each other and with our earth.   The prayer was a fluid movement for which we stood, facing east to begin, then south, west and north, thanking each force for the various symbols they represent in our lives.  What moved me most was a comment the leader made apologizing to ‘God’ for the fact that our feet were on concrete at the time of our prayer and not touching the actual earth…something so simple, yet it speaks volumes.  These people are so in touch, so connected.  They exist with such respect and reverence for nature, for our earth, for our human spirit, and mostly for our connectedness both with the earth and with each other.  In a time when I have been moved to tears by the effects of this oil spill in the gulf, horrified and ashamed of our apparent irreverence for our planet and the creatures we claim to ‘lord over’, not to mention the consequences of our actions…this reminder was refreshing to say the least.  I couldn’t help wondering what changes we’d see in ourselves and our world if we all started each day with the kind of reverence, perspective and appreciation our First Nations friends have. 

So, what a perfect tone to have established for this day, as 12 hours later I find myself on a plane, following my heart to sand and sea with the sole intention of getting even more connected and bringing the songs in my head and heart to life.  This is my writing retreat.  I am inspired, I am excited, and I am full of gratitude. 

This is an adventure I am ready to share through journaling and video blogs…thank you for your patience - it’s good to be back :) 

In Joy.

xo LP