True Play

I went to visit some relatives this past weekend and ended up engaging in a game of Monopoly.  For me, this is what I would call 'True Play' - engaging in something that you love to do that truly rejuvenates and reinvigorates your soul.  Something about the combination of strategy, luck, the accumulation of 'property' and then the letting go (if you are the loser) seems to me an engaging metaphor of life...but that is me.

What I know is that I love to play the game and share in the fun with others of a similar mind, which in this case happens to be a number of my family.  The game is played with a passion (in this case we actually setup on a table in a vestibule just protected from the rain) and with a desire to win...but also a graciousness and understanding that losing and loss is actually more likely than winning.   In this case it was four of us and the first 2 out of the game actually seemed the happiest and most rejuvenated for participating.

I personally did well but appreciated more the fact that I totally engrossed myself in the game and was surprised to find that 3 hours had transpired at the end (these games often go for longer than that).  What I knew was that I had more energy and happiness after the game than before...a clear indication that it was True and not just 'participation' Play.  I have spent many years searching for and validating this True Play...for me it is something that brings joy to my heart and a smile to my soul.

And yes, there is always a winner...celebrate the achievement because I'll be back to play again! :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill

"A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both." - L.P. Jacks

The 12th Bridge

2 years ago we bought my son a bike for his birthday.  As a very active and athletic child we honestly thought that he would just hop on the bike and after a few wobbles be riding circles around us...not the case.  After several attempts we decided to add training wheels and that seemed to work for a bit until we he had a few 'wipe-outs'.  Eventually, the bike ended up spending more time in the garage then on the trail.

While we were on one of our attempted family bike rides and just waiting for the next fall off the bike that would invariably result in tears and one of us walking the bike home, I noticed on the bike path that there were bridges. As I car driver I find that I take bridges, overpasses and tunnels as a matter of course - they are there to help us get from point A to point B but I don't often think to measure or count them as milestones or even points of interest.  However, if you've ever driven with a 5 year old you'll realize that this is NOT the case for them at all.  Bridges and tunnels are celebrated with gusto and we now find ourselves holding our breath and holding up our feet every time we go over or through one! :)

So, I decided that we would count the bridges along the Coastal bike path between our house and the end of the trail many miles away.  Some were large and very noticeable and others were small and barely visible amidst the brush alongside a creek but nonetheless, they were bridges and when I pointed them out my son started to take notice.  As we began our bike rides I would ask 'How many bridges do we want to do today?' or 'What kind of a 'bridge-day' does it feel like today?'

We began to chart and define our bike rides by the number of bridges vs. how much time, how many miles, how much effort, etc.  It was now either a "3 bridge ride" or a "5 bridge day" and we now had a new focus...and a new mindset.  'Coincidentally' :) the wipe-outs became fewer and the rides became much more enjoyable.  It was something to be looked forward to vs. something we 'had to do' and/or dreaded.  We didn't know how many bridges there were out there but as my son started to acknowledged and celebrated his bridge 'milestone' achievements we began to talk idly and 'dream' about Bridge #12 (which we had never been to but assumed that it must be out there somewhere).

Additionally, ('coincidentally') we started to discover new and interesting things along our journey.  Over the weeks and months the rides our destination (Bridge 12) actually seemed to pull us along towards it...kind of like riding downhill.  We eventually let go of the resistance altogether and found the joy as Bridge 12 showed us the way and seemed to get us back on the trail 'just in time' to witness and experience some things that had previously never seen before...

One day there was a man playing piano along the trail...

...we found 'our' horses and finally learned their names...

 

  ...watched fisherman clean their catch...

...got to throw some rocks...

... found a giant Medicine Wheel...

...and even got to ride in the waves!

All because we imagined a Bridge, let go a bit and persevered until we found it.

I know that you know where I'm going with this...so I don't think I need to spell it out. :)  However, my question for today is simply:

"If you're not currently enjoying the 'ride' and discovering new & exciting things along the way...have you considered imagining your 'Bridge 12'?"

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill

Life Plan

Earlier this year, I realized that a number of my personal, energetic, family and professional goals had been completed.  I was actually surprised when reviewing my 7 year plan that some of them seemed to 'magically' complete at the 7 year mark...perhaps there is something to this manifesting your intentions thing? :)  I found myself checking off some key items and beginning to ask myself: 'What Next?'

As I have learned previously (the hard way), the optimal approach here is to PAUSE before setting new goals (as opposed to rushing forward in a blaze of passion).  :)  I now give myself 6-9 months during this 'between-Plan' time to reflect, truly appreciate where I am today and spend some time 'clearing the canvas' to make room for the next phase of my life.  For me that means taking some special time with my wife and son, re-connecting with a few close friends & family...and getting out in Nature.  Time to hit the road if possible and take in the fresh air.  In this case I headed with a friend into the mountains.

As a general rule I don't spend much time thinking about the past but I have found that reflecting on the Structure of one's life in a prior period can provide insight into the energetic links that guide us forward. I look for supportive and positive energetic structures as opposed to distracting or destructive ones - this is where being in Nature is helpful as I have found that it facilitates the process of comparing and validating energetic resonances.

For example, coming across this fallen tree reminded me of the choices made in the life to date that resulted in the trunk or timeline of my life.  What has gone before now lies in the meadow of the past with branches of varying strength and width around the core trunk - some protruding upward into the breeze and others embedded in the earth now holding the trunk firmly in place.  Looking back, each branch represents a choice in life:  a friendship, a job, a relationship, a project or a purposeful event.  How many grew and nurtured the tree and how many fell off or withered in place?  As with this tree my assessment was that as I have grown older I have been more focused and selective of energy spent, resulting in fewer but stronger branches emanating from a core trunk.

It also had me wonder about the far future and to a time when there is nothing left of the tree but the meadow...what is the purpose of a single lifetime and it's impact on the environment and others?  I can see being loved and remembered by those that I know now - but in the distant future?  Perhaps just to be absorbed as nutrients into the meadow and giving life to the flowers of tomorrow is purpose enough...but I digress.

On this trip into Nature and reflection of past, present and future what did become clear was that my prior planning time scale (7 years) was actually a bit shorter than my current view of the energetic 'horizon'.  10 years now feels more appropriate given my current momentum, or perhaps it's just that what is coming forth as potential goals seem waaaaaay out there.  :) Like a rugged mountain peak with what looks like a vertical climb...I feel like I'm going to need some serious time to 'find the trail'. :)

And as always, what is important to remember is that this is not a 'solo' climb - who we go with and the experiences shared on the way are critical to growing our tree-trunk timeline.  For me a camp stove with the smell of coffee brewing and breakfast being prepared on a morning in the mountains reminded me that it is your Mindset and how you Feel that truly make all the difference.

Less of What I want to focus on achieving and more of How I'm going about it seems like better guidance for this segment of the 'climb'.  Looking forward to the view but really looking forward to the feel of each step along the way.

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
- Lao Tzu

Creation

Let some stuff go, move some more around a bit, put forth a few lines of blue tape to visualize in the mind and Creation begins to creep in the energetic space left behind.  An idea blossoms.  Energy follows the thought and then supports the action that ultimately Creates.

In this case the creation is a bit of a blank canvas...but that's what's so appealing here.  How often do we see a workbench with NOTHING on it!  True opportunity and potential...and that great new wood smell filling my garage/new workshop.  :)

All the Best,
Whitney
© 2013 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill