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The Everyday Value of Quiet Moments with Nature

6/6/2013

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(written May 10, 2013)
I am sitting in the RV watching and listening to a light yet persistent rain.  I am currently in Mancos State Park, CO.  This was not a planned stop per se.  Until yesterday, I had been sharing my time and space in the RV with a friend who was visiting from Australia.  Given that her visit was a vacation, a trip planned around experiencing and seeing things she would not otherwise in her daily routine, we had a stacked agenda.  Our days were planned around which sites we would take in, what scenic route we would travel, or what urban experience we wanted to absorb.  While there were many moments of silence between us, many spans of time apart and days wherein we went off and did our own thing; I am contemplating deeply today the impact of being alone, the quiet that occurs when we do not talk, the solitude that comes from not being engaged with other humans. I happened to park myself here, at Mancos, and have discovered a forested wilderness, a small lake, an extraordinarily dark night sky and complete quiet ~ all of which, I am enjoying without any other human interaction.  There is one other camper in the region.  There are homes dotting the hills outside the park boundary and within sight of my evening walk and morning run – both of which were endowed with hail as I was quite possibly exactly halfway around the lake.   Anyone who knows me also knows that this is my bliss, my Zen, my way of reconnecting to my sense of spirituality. I am unusually comfortable alone.  Writing that initiates much judgment of self, pondering of why that is, and questioning am I different?  Questions and judgments that I have thankfully learned to acknowledge then set aside in exchange for self-acceptance and appreciation of who I am.   

I am impelled to write now as I was sitting enjoying a cup of warm tea and the rain while looking at a pamphlet for Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico.  What inspired me was in the section titled “Human Connections”. The pamphlet reads “Local Native people have a long and enduring relationship with the land and its resources.”My  instinctive response was “all people do, we cannot live without the land.”  Then after some consideration, I realized that the sentence in the pamphlet taken literally, did not express what I believe the reality is.  I believe the reality is that the nature of the relationship is what sets the Native Peoples perspective apart from other views of human relationship to land.  The Native People value the land as a living breathing being worthy of reverence. They are cautious about what they take and are conscious about giving back to the land.  The land is the great mother and keeper of all beings. 
Think about it, without the earth, the land, the seas, the sun, the sky etc…we would not exist.  Our very life is dependent upon “the land”.  We definitely are having a relationship! Albeit in many cultures today, it is an unhealthy one.  This is what impelled me to write.   

I don’t profess to be an environmentalist, an activist, a political letter writer or frankly even a news watcher.  What I do know is what I see and experience from being extraordinarily curious about people.  Sadly, what I am seeing with respect to our relationship to the land concerns me.  I offer that, like any relationship, the human to land relationship thrives best under loving conditions.  In order for us (humans and the earth) to live a long abundant life together, we must nurture one another with respect, kindness, and generosity, striving and supporting each other to live to our highest potential. These are certainly qualities I seek in human to human relationship. I have a simplified understanding of concepts such as reducing our carbon footprint, recycling, water conservation etc…all loving systems that will assist the earth to continue to thrive and sustain us for generations to come.  Fundamental to any
undertaking is a purpose.  So what is our purpose as a body of humans in caring graciously for this great earth? We sometimes think such questions are about the “big” picture and not relevant to our immediate experience, that “someone else” “out there” is taking that issue on.  Often, we are apathetic, thinking “what difference does my contribution make?” I think your contribution is urgent.  I invite you to ask yourself: What does the earth give me that I appreciate?  I invite you to pay attention to what you are feeling when you see a resplendent sunset, a snow capped mountain, a rainbow of wildflowers in a field. I invite you to consider the enormity of the idea that this earth has sustained life since time began and it is still sustaining you, now.  Nobody in relationship likes to be taken for granted.  Becoming aware of the gifts we are receiving is a first step to taking loving action to sustain this extraordinary relationship we share with the earth.  Believing in the impact of our thoughts and what is called our “energy”, I ask you to take pause today, to touch the grass with bare feet, to inhale the sweet scent of a flower, to close your eyes as you eat a piece of fruit and to recall that the earth generously gifted each of these to you. Then, feel gratitude for the earth, for all of her gifts, let your loving and appreciative energy flow out to the earth with grace.   

Namasté 
 


 
 
   


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Observations on Chasing Mavericks

4/7/2013

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I am a voracious reader; don’t watch a lot of movies because I prefer the intellectual and creative process of visualizing what I read. I do love the artistic expression of cinematography and often find music that I appreciate from movie scores.  Last night was an exception.  I watched Chasing Mavericks. (watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh09vEGNrXc) I loved the movie soundtrack –it was compelling, creative and begged depth…could be due to the subject matter: learning to survive (in the pursuit of surfing it) the power and enormity of a record breaking, earth pounding wave and the possibility of being forcefully drug to the depth of the ocean. I’m a beginner surfer.  Being a lifetime athlete who struggles little to become better than average at virtually every sport, I have found it humbling to say the least.  Believing surfing to be a  visceral experience, the base lessons about surfing presented in this film were eye opening.  That’s not what I intended to blog about however. Concomitant to the plot of surfing this legendary wave, the movie inspired review of the depth of the human condition.  This is what touched me.  On a different day, state of being or life circumstances, the way it was presented may have just glanced the surface of my emotions and I would have walked away thinking “cool surfing movie.”   

My observations…
 
Early in the movie we see the two main characters in their own life experiences.  Their shared bond is that what hurts us in life often does so deeply and running from it does not lessen the pain.  The pain comes out in other forms.  It leaks out of our beingness and impacts every decision and behavior we choose.   It can cause us to do things we don’t begin to understand why we are doing.  This happened to me precipitating this travel journey in the RV.  I really had no clue about the depth of why I was doing it. I had a sense deep inside that there was a form of running occurring.   What I said to friends over and over was that I was unsure if I was running from or to something.  The answer is both. The awareness that I was running and my willingness to pay attention as I went, has gifted me with growth.  I discovered what I was running from, know what I am reaching for, and am healing the pain of the hurts that ignited both.  Awareness is powerful.  In the movie the teacher invites the student to begin facing his fears by acknowledging the root.  He digs but doesn’t go very deep.  I did that. It felt safe.  I even did what the student does and screamed “I don’t know!” I ran confusion when I knew and believed that naming it could break me.  In his deep commitment to his passion, he did the work.  He named the fear.  In giving it life, he ultimately gave himself freedom.  The same thing happened for me.  A deep wound that held my heart in a dark grip has been named.  The grip has been detached.  My heart opened and with that comes the possibility of it “breaking again”.  I feel the sweetness and the common human bond this state illicits. I am excited because while, prior to it re-opening, breakage was impossible…so was fulfillment. 
There was a scene during which the boy gets the girl in classic Hollywood style…I
don’t like that part, the over-romanticizing of relationship.  She essentially shares with him some negative observations of herself. He replies to her “not from where I sit.”  She tells him that’s because he only sees the good in people.  This is a huge lesson.  The way he behaves (as this person, who he intuitively knows loves him and who comes and goes and cannot due to her own fears, choose him in the way he wants) is inspiring. He is kind, he continues to love her, and he cares for himself by stepping away and focusing upon his own life, his own passionate pursuits. He trusts his inner
voice.  Much of this is my personal interpretation of the presented story.  He continues, though not getting his desired result, to see the good in her.  He also sees the good in himself by caring for himself. The balance of these renders him strong, integrous, caring, empathetic, and ultimately authentic.  The lesson I see is that we can see only the good in others and still care for ourselves without compromising, becoming co-dependent, and without being hurt and taking things personally.  It is critical to human relationship that we learn to trust that everyone is doing the very best they can, that everyone has the inner voice that they need to listen to in order to be the best possible being for the rest of the world, and that most of what others think, do, feel, and say has little to nothing to do with us…it’s about them and that’s the good news!  While we may be attached to an outcome that includes another (as is the case when we hope for romantic relationship with someone), being in the moment and continuing to live aligned with our own personal choices, expression and state of being is what ultimately shines the greatest truth to any circumstance and affords everyone in it the opportunity to respond authentically.  

My last takeaway was that we have inherent, unstoppable capacity when we are
passionate about something.
  In the movie, it was his passionate desire to surf that wave - translated into action by intention – that catapulted him in life.  It evolved into his intention to love his mother, to heal the pain and limitation attached to his father’s departure, to love what was present and before him in the moment, to forgive, to appreciate and accept.  He was an amazing example of someone discovering at a very young age, the power of intention.  In the closing scene he gets beaten down by Mavericks.  This happens to us in life every day in small and big ways.  He was ready because he trained.  He practiced. He intended to succeed.  He behaved in ways in life that supported his intention. He could have surfaced in a state of great fear.  Instead, he got back on his board and rode the wave. I don’t believe this was an example of stupidity or willfulness.  He was equipped.  He accepted the possibility of being taken down by the wave, he trained for it with intention, and he was prepared to succeed given the chance.  This young man did not try at life.  He lived life.  He didn’t just think about what he wanted and hope he would get there.  He passionately chose, aligned his life with his choice through action, he accepted the possible outcomes, he lived fully…albeit briefly.  He died at a very young age doing something he loved.  I honor him for that.  He accomplished what many of us only wish for…to live passionately. 
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I believe that living authentically, passionately, and harmoniously with others is
the lesson that god, the creator, spirit etc… wants us to learn.  Each of us has a quiet voice inside that is the access portal to our passions, to our authenticity, to living fully and freely.  In my new endeavor as an author, life coach, pubic speaker and “free
spirit” as I travel in my RV, it is my intention to live passionately and to inspire, encourage and teach others to do the same. It is my intention to heal through the recognition of the divine within each of us.  I intend to share myself vulnerably and desire to know you in the process.  

Namasté 
  
I honor the place in you in which spirit dwells ♥ I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light and peace ♥
When you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, we are one


 
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Guided by Curiousity and Wonder

12/5/2012

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When I embarked 7 months ago I described my plan as a travel journey.  I inherently knew it was spiritually initiated and that the activity and outcome was healing.  The travel has just begun as I am finally outside of CA and the familiar embrace of family, friends, place, and experience. I am tempted to judge the events that changed my plan. Pausing though, I am grateful for the slow pace at which things have unraveled and know that had it gone as I attempted to plan it, I would be different than I am now.  Better or worse off? Not a question meriting attention.  What is worth considering is the utter harmony and ease that can be our actuality when we engage in our life with curiosity and wonder instead of controlling and judgment. That is my current experience; that is healing. 

Transforming the way we interpret ourselves and our participation with the world from judgment to curiousity is a paradigm shift that affords heightened joy, connection, relatedness, and peace.  It assuages our tending to us vs. them and right vs. wrong.  It is fundamental to unity.  Unity is a broad reaching state that includes infinite more personal states we desire. Do you want to get along better with a co-worker? Become curious. Ask them a question about who they are or what they like.  Do you want more free time to feel more united with yourself? Become curious about how you currently spend your time.  Most of us can find at least one thing we do that doesn’t genuinely nurture us but that we believe makes us more important or connected.  An example for me would be attending a social gathering when what my soul is truly longing for is quiet.  I don’t want to “miss out” – I sometimes have this silly condition I call “FMS” (Fear of Missing Something).  If I am curious, I will notice how I feel when I don’t heed my own inner voice and perhaps find the motivation to choose more wisely for myself next opportunity.  If I judge the situation, the appearance that others seem to be fulfilled doing this activity and question why aren’t I or even judge myself for not being authentic, there’s little room and empowerment for awareness and choice - I’m just irritated at that point and incapable of imagining something different.
 
Curiosity and wonder are streams that help guide us down the river of our life.  Like rivers, each of us is pouring into the infinite sea of life. Are you
polluting or purifying?  It matters not your current answer.  Your next
action, however, is the one that defines the state of your experience.  Become curious, wonder a little before you come to a conclusion, choose wisely!   

"When we look with an open heart, we see the unexpected."   ~ Carin G. Aichele

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What's Your Calling?

4/15/2012

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I am conducting my first interview with someone who heals himself without medicine (western pharmaceutical).  In creating the interview outline and considering how I will ultimately incorporate all of this into my book which hopes to inspire others, I find myself excited! With that excitement comes joy, fun and freedom.  As I pause to feel the excitement, I am clear that its source is being in alignment with my “calling”.  
 
This book at this time is something I’m supposed to do.  It’s part of my purpose on the planet.  It is irrelevant if it makes money, becomes popular, generates thousands of “likes”, or feeds my human ego in some way.  
 
The energy that sustains it is an invisible force that simply says: “you must do this”.  In doing it I feel the deepest sense of being alive!   
 
We each have a unique purpose and a path that is distinctly ours to accessing and expressing that purpose. The commonness between us is: we must first listen to the call.  For most of us, that’s the impossible expectation.  I won’t wax on about all the fears, responsibilities and other unsatisfying choices we make that halt us.  I trust that each of you can conjure those for yourself.  The point is: what do you choose that stops you from pursuing your “calling”? 
  
So today, I’m just saying:     Pause...      Listen...      Imagine!!!
 
Spend some time today imaging how you would feel living your dream.  

If you are already living it…Namaste my friend, be grateful! Share your story!!! 
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    Carin G. Aichele

    Carin Aichele

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