Embrace Your Gifts and Soar!

Journey to South Africa - Cape Vidal

 

Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14

After being in a moving vehicle for about ten hours, it is absolutely thrilling to see the sign welcoming us to Cape Vidal. We still have a couple of hours of daylight and I can't wait to cast my eyes upon this ocean side. We check into our cabin that has this view....

unload our bags, put on swimsuits and go directly to the short, dirt path which leads us from luscious green grass and trees to an abundance of brown sand that reaches out into the Indian Ocean. At first, I hesitate to go in the water because the waves are fiercely super-sized. Apparently, a storm left behind high winds and feisty water.

Once I take the plunge, the waves toss me around as if I am a rag doll. If I try to control the effect of the waves on my body, sand shoots into my swimsuit as my body twists and turns without mercy. It is such a contrast to sitting in the back seat of a van! I am tempted to run back to the safety of the shore, yet the thrill of being in the water is stronger than my fear of drowning. I quickly learn to close my eyes and bow into the turbulence of the crashing waves. This act of surrender allows me to gracefully float forward. I am very aware that the saying “go with the flow” is being reinforced by Mother Nature with each mighty wave she sends my way.

Every one else chooses to go back to the cabin to escape the rough water and high winds. I stay on the beach and soak in all of the energy I can from this incredible place. The remote setting makes it easy for me to feel as if I am one with water, sand, trees, sky, air and God. I am definitely having a “heaven on earth” experience.

 

The next morning, Greg and I get up early so we can watch the sunrise over the ocean, one of my most very favorite things to do in the world! The violent waters of yesterday have now turned ultra calm and inviting.Our check-out time of 10:00 a.m. comes around way too soon! After my early morning solitary walk along the shore, I hang out in the ocean until I shower and climb in the van once more.

 

After we explore more areas along the coastline, we are off to Swaziland, a small country I have never heard of before. The good times just keep on rolling!

Thanks for reading!

Beverly

Win-Wins

Left photo: Banjo says.."this scratching post is mine!"

Right photo: Jingo says, "What did I do wrong? I'm cute and innocent!"

Banjo had a life long cat companion until this past summer. I felt she was lonely for another cat companion. Possibly, I was projecting my only feelings of loss onto her. Our house just didn't feel right without the pitter patter of eight kitty cat paws running around. (see http://embraceyourgifts.typepad.com/blog/2006/09/saying_goodbye.html)

So, Jingo came to live with us the day before Thanksgiving. She was coated with black grease and abandoned around age 5 weeks. Someone found her and turned her into the local animal shelter. My husband and I took her in.

Banjo has not been too happy about Jingo's arrival. Banjo  hisses, growls and sulks whenever Jingo is close by. Fortuantely, Jingo continues to be submissive and does not take Banjo's harshness too seriously.

Truth be told, we are making progress. The two kitties are slowly moving into playfully chasing each other around the house. I am glad to see this transition happening. It seems that now all of us are entering into a win-win situation.

As I watched Banjo sulk and spew out her venom, I wished she could have known how her fear of being replaced was working against her and the rest of us. The energy created by her hostility was not too pleasant to live in!

I think that often, we humans do the same thing. We feel threatened or fearful for some reason, so we react in a negative way to a situation or person. In the long run, the lack of harmony and open-mindedness makes things harder for everyone.

When I notice a fearful feeling arising in me, I often ask myself, "How can I turn this into a win-win situation for myself and those around me?" This perspective often shifts my fear into an open place of looking at possibilities for positive outcomes for everyone involved, including myself. This perspective has a way of producing greater flow and joy as it shifts me away from focusing on scarcity and other negative thoughts.

We are hoping that  Banjo and Jingo will be best of buddies by Christmas. That is the intention that my husband set and I decided it's a darn good one. Hopefully, I will soon be able to post a photo of the two of them snuggled up together, taking a cozy cat nap. That would definitely be a win-win for everyone who lives in this house.

Here's to Win-Wins!

Cheers!

Beverly

Flow

The sun in the sky

said, "come on, let's play!

The sky is blue and

it's a beautiful day!"

So I hopped on my bike

to go for a ride

because I wanted

to be outside.

I pedaled and pedaled

to make my bike go

and all of the sudden

the wind did blow.

I struggled against

the mighty strong wind

and wondered what message

he was trying to send.

Riding against the wind

made the journey quite tough.

The ride was not fun

because it was so rough.

A reminder I received

from the earth on that day:

Simply go with the flow

to make work seem like play!

Copyright 2002 and beyond: Beverly Keaton Smith

-------------------------------------------------------------

Today, I found this rhyme in one of my old journals. I remember that day so clearly. It was such a stuggle to ride my bike against the strong winds that came out of nowhere. It was a big relief to turn around and ride with the winds that led me back home.

Being in flow means that you feel on track in your life. Coincidences happen that open doors. Supportive people, places and things pour into your life. Clarity replaces confusion and all of your needs are miraculously met. Life becomes easier and more joyful. You spend more time living in the present moment and trust and act on on your intuitive thoughts. You walk in faith and believe that the Great Spirit is preparing the way for you...and so, He is! You see the positive signs everywhere and they confirm that you are in flow.

To read more about what being in flow means, visit...

http://www.flowpower.com/What%20is%20Flow.htm 

Related Book:

The Power of Flow:
Practical Ways to Transform Your Life with Meaningful Coincidence 
by Charlene Belitz and Meg Lundstrom.