GRACE NOTES

I think that most of us would agree that we are navigating turbulent waters right now. Whether in our personal lives or in the life of our collective humanity, these times are challenging each and every one of us to draw upon all the inner resources we have at our fingertips. If we consider the metaphor of a boat at sea, there are many necessary components to ensuring a safe journey across open waters.

As usual, my teacher showed up in nature. And, as usual, slowing down, observing my environment very closely and deeply listening, the teachings of the moment arrived before my eyes and revealed themselves to my inner ear.

Recent Interview:
Connecting to the Divine Through Presence, Sound, and Voice - A Conversation with Barbara Juniper

One of the things I appreciate so much about nature is the abundance of life lessons that are revealed if one has eyes to see. Take the blue heron.

One of the statements that has resonated so deeply for me is that we all have been in the same storm, but not in the same boat. This pandemic has affected each one of us differently and though the storm seems to be lightening up, we have great choices to make.

It is a well known fact of nature that the birth of a pearl begins with a very small irritation, commonly a parasite, that invades the inside of an oyster.

Back in 2009, I wrote a song called Storm of Grace. It was inspired at the time by something a dear friend said to me as I was navigating one of the most difficult periods of my life. He was trying to be helpful, but at the time the words just didn’t resonate or land for me.

When was the last time you consciously gave yourself the gift of silence? I know, in our fast paced world, it is often not easy to find. But it is possible. I walked into a grove of redwoods the other day and was bathed in silence. Deep, penetrating, nourishing. I could feel my nervous system unwinding, stress melting away like snow in the warmth of the sun.