Category Archives: Beach

Independence Day

Leave a reply

full moon over alsea bay last night

We watched the fireworks last night over Alsea Bay and under a full moon. Here in Waldport, they do their fireworks display on July 3rd. It was cold and the air was thick with the smoke from fireworks and campfires, but I was wrapped in a blanket and with people I love.

I may not always allow myself to feel free, but I know that independence is possible, and that I am lucky to live in a place where it’s even easy. And I am encouraged to know that there are other people who want to do good, want all beings to be free from suffering, want to serve others and change things–there will be 1000 of us at the World Domination Summit this weekend. I am excited and nervous, but am comforted by this wisdom from Jen Vertanen, “The people attending WDS are my people ~ they just haven’t met me yet.”

On this 4th of July, I am contemplating the reality of experience, that even though things come together and fall apart, change is constant and we are mortal, there is basic goodness, compassion and wisdom, and freedom is possible.

image by Bill Longshaw, from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We already have everything we need. There is no need for self-improvement. All these trips that we lay on ourselves—the heavy-duty fearing that we’re bad and hoping that we’re good, the identities that we so dearly cling to, the rage, the jealousy and the addictions of all kinds—never touch our basic wealth. They are like clouds that temporarily block the sun. But all the time our warmth and brilliance are right here. This is who we really are. We are one blink of an eye away from being fully awake. ~Pema Chödrön

Gratitude Friday

3 Replies

This post is a mashup of The Little Bliss List and Joy Jam, and as such is meant to celebrate: the little things that brought me hope and happiness this week, the sweet stuff of life, those small gifts that brought me joy this week. By sharing them, I not only make public my gratitude, but maybe also help you notice your own good stuff and send some positive energy out into the world.

beach teepee

1. The High Park Fire is 85% contained. And yet there is so much still burning, so much devastation, and so many people with such big, open hearts working so hard.

2. Farmer’s Markets. Strawberries, raspberries, lettuce, marionberry jam (there is a rumor that my cousin is making me a batch to take back to Colorado with me), and fresh maple bars. I had eaten so many berries yesterday, my fingertips were stained red.

3. Local Community Yoga Classes. Donation based, just down the road, four classes offered per week. I went to my first this morning, and it was awesome, (it gave me a little boost to be the model for some of the more advanced poses).

4. Long walks on the beach. 2-4 hours of this, every day, and the weather has been perfect.

another one

5. Magic, hidden places. Eric and I seem to find these a lot, and he said of the one we found yesterday “this is what happens when you wander around.”

6. LeRoy’s Blue Whale pancakes. I was worried that after two years, either my memory of them couldn’t be trusted or they would have changed, but they were every bit as delicious as I remembered. Apparently, they’ve had the same cook there for the past 18 years, and he makes magic pancakes.

Bonus Joy: meeting Julia. Even though I am a terrible first date (more on that later), it was so great, after already “meeting” her heart and thoughts, already knowing and loving her insides, the art and words she makes, to get to finally meet her outside. In person, just as I suspected, she glows.