Hello!

Wherever you are in this moment, I hope this message finds you well and provides you with a smile or a simple moment of peace on this beautiful day.

REFLECTION: As I sit here on the porch composing this letter to you, I am reminded to pause, . . . take a breath, . . . and land in this moment . . . to feel the presence of the ground below, the sky above and take in a breath of gratitude for Life--with all of its challenges, joys, sorrows and delights.

Suddenly, a striking alarm sounds, a loud and persistent, squeaky scream which I soon realize is coming from a grey squirrel squawking down the trunk of a tree, making itself look as large as can be. (It must now compete with the cardinals, blue jays, golden finches, mourning doves, and others in this small corner of the Earth because we humans have stopped it from climbing the feeder poles by adding a baffle. This seems to have caused it to feel baffled, indeed.) As soon as our furry friend calms down, the tufted titmouse chatter returns. There has been quite a rise in commotion amongst the feeders and trees, many feathers and furs ruffled in the heat of spring with all the feeding, breeding and nesting it brings. Here on the porch, there is so much to be seen. How marvelous it is to just be, . . . to feel, to see, to hear, to smell, to arrive once again in this body . . . fully present and alive.

Of course, we cannot always be in these fully-present moments. This being human requires a certain amount of tending to the past and the future. Yet, there is a sort of weaving that can be done, so that we can touch back upon remembering, then return to presence, then reach forward in anticipation, then return to being fully present in this unfolding moment. It can feel like we are stitching forward, pausing, stitching backward, pausing, stitching forward again, pausing, stitching off to the side, pausing to take in the whole picture of what is being created . . . a process of weaving a wider variety of colors and textures into the fabric of our lives.

For me, being present in this moment brings a shimmer of vitality to what could otherwise feel like a lackluster or disheartening existence. Pausing to watch the iridescent feathers of a hummingbird shimmer in the sunlight as it takes a few sips of nectar and quickly flies away not only gives me a welcomed break from the mundane or dreary experiences, but it breathes fresh energy and light into every aspect of life.

INVITATION: I'd like to invite you to take a moment of pause today . . . to take a breath, . . . and land in this moment . . . to feel the presence of the ground below, the sky above and take in a breath of gratitude for Life--with all of its challenges, joys, sorrows and delights. Perhaps, there is a bird outside of your window, a catchy song playing in the background or a stirring within your body or heart that is able to reveal itself because you have chosen to pause.

MEDITATION: "May you find more and more moments like these as you move into the delightful season of summer. May you know peace. May you know joy. May you know yourself as whole and complete, perfect just as you are in the beautiful tapestry of Life." And in your own words, "May I find more and more moments like these as I move into the delightful season of summer. May I know peace. May I know joy. May I know myself as whole and complete, perfect just as I am in the beautiful tapestry of Life."

GRATITUDE: Thank you for being a shimmering thread in the fabric that is being weaved here in this community of peace-bringers and light-bearers. I look forward to seeing you whenever our paths are meant to cross.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION: If you'd like to connect this Saturday, June 15, 9:30-11:30am, and gather in the spirit of rest and peace, I will be at Seaside Counseling & Wellness Center in Berlin, MD, ready to welcome you with open arms and guide you in a morning of connection and restoration. I hope to see you there.

Register Here

Thank you.

With gratitude,

Jess

P.S. Please let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to pass this along to anyone whom you think would appreciate this message.