Follow The Stream, See Where It Leads

 

Don't be afraid.

The World Is My Oyster

OK, so that's not really an oyster.  I know.  But it's the closest picture of mine that I have available.  It's some sort of fresh water bivalve, right?  It came out of Lake Lanier.  I took this picture during the famous drought of '08.  This empty shell is perched on top of some kind of interesting vegetation that grew where the lake should have been, under normal circumstances.

Why am I writing about oysters?  It's because last Saturday, September 25th, I awoke in a most optimistic state.  Or frame of mind, that is.  The sun was already shining, the leaves on the oak trees outside my window were dancing in the breeze, and my first thought upon waking was, "The world is my oyster".  I let it sink in.  I felt great, for some reason.

As I went about my business that day, and the following day and subsequent days, I kept repeating it:  "The world is my oyster".  But what did it mean?  I knew I had heard the phrase, but why, all of a sudden, was it stuck in my head?  Did I hear it recently?  Did I read it?  If so, where?

When faced with a quandary, I did what I always do.  I googled.  That's right.  Spell check doesn't recognize the word yet, but it will.  Googled is definitely a verb.  Anyway, I came up with the Shakespearean reference to The Merry Wives of Windsor quote, in which Pistol claims:

"Why then the world's mine oyster,

Which I with sword will open."

Well, that didn't sound like me.  I dislike sharp instruments.  I kept pondering.  I dug a little deeper and found out a little bit about oysters, those mysterious bivalves.  (I love that word:  bivalve.  It just rolls off the tongue.)  Anyway, it seems that pearls, the precious objects produced by oysters, are actually the result of an irritation.  Wow.  Pearls grow from discomfort, from an invasion.

And then I began to think of myself as an oyster.  I'm self-contained.  I have an outer shell.  (Figuratively speaking.)  I'm affected by my environment.  I take in things.  Good, nourishing things as well as unhealthy, harmful things.  I'm sort of an ecosystem within an ecosystem, not unlike an oyster, or anything else living in existence.  So where's my pearl?

Maybe my pearl is wisdom; the wisdom that comes from acceptance.  Or maybe it's grace, that spot deep within me that's always perfect.  That place where no harm can be done.  That sacred place where peace dwells.

The world is my oyster.  For now, that is enough for me to believe.

Rugged Rainbow Falls

I'm attracted to this picture today.

I'm sure there's a metaphor in there somewhere.

Releasing The Past In A Spirit Of Forgiveness

Sets Us Free

"The winds of grace are always blowing; it is for us to raise our sails."

- Ramakrishna

Adding Vibrancy

We Are Always Free To Change The Images Of Our Lives

The grass is greener, the sky is bluer. There's an electric shimmer where earth and sky meet. Clouds suddenly reveal hidden, billowy messages unnoticed before. Just over the hill, treasures and new discoveries seem to await. Warm summer breezes beckon. There's an expectancy, a feeling, that even greater seasons lie ahead. The child in me has been reawakened. Joy is calling my name.

I'd Like To Take a Trip

To
Paradise

To recover. To rejuvenate. To contemplate. To heal. I just want to sit on the beach and feel the sun and sand and surf and sea breeze. I want to forget about cancer. And divorce, which still looms on the horizon.

So here's my update: I had surgery on July 13th. A lumpectomy. The good news is that my lymph nodes are clear. The best news is that I had wonderful people to take care of me. I am grateful for all the love and support from my sisters, my niece, my daughters, my Dad, my brother-in-law, friends, and neighbors. You all are the best! I even felt the love and support from family and friends far away but with me in spirit.

The bad news is the hideous wound I'm left with. That's tough to handle. But I guess getting rid of cancer is an ugly battle. Not something that can be fixed with a band-aid or little pink ribbons. If only.

The Meaning of Daisies ...

"Gentleness, Innocence, and Loyal Love"

Another Perfect Moment Captured

There's a saying: There are no perfect days, only perfect moments.