“Reflections” by Hope Wilson
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| “Reflections” by Hope Wilson, acrylic on paper |
Only art and
music have the power to bring peace.
—Yoko Ono
—Yoko Ono
l'amour
I wasn’t satisfied with yesterday’s Valentine photo so I made another attempt this morning. How did I do? Since I was little, I have loved Valentine’s Day. It’s a day to remember your heart and love, which is what I think life’s all about. This February, I wish you the warmth of pure love and the openness to receive that love in whatever form it takes.
First Meditate
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| Untitled by Hope Wilson, acrylic on paper |
First
meditate, be blissful, then much love will happen of its own accord. Then being
with others is beautiful and being alone is also beautiful. Then it is simple,
too. You don’t depend on others and you don’t make others dependent on you.
Then it is always a friendship, a friendliness. It never becomes a
relationship, it is always a relatedness. —Osho
The River Tour, Toronto
Bruce
Springsteen fans are the best. Last night at the Air Canada Centre, a packed
audience remained almost continuously on their feet for a dopamine-inducing
performance. Hands waving in the air, fans sang and danced like I’ve never seen
before. Wherever I looked, there were smiling, happy faces. Springsteen evokes
a response from his audience similar to that of a Baptist preacher before his
congregation. The energy and spirit of his performances with the E Street band
are exhilarating and transformative.
Some Highlights
The title track “The River” was made memorable by smart phone flashlights that lit up the ACC like stars. (The modern equivalent to lighters.) I have an aversion to cell phones, but I don’t think anyone would deny that it was a beautiful phenomenon to see all those lights shimmering along with the music.
Some Highlights
The title track “The River” was made memorable by smart phone flashlights that lit up the ACC like stars. (The modern equivalent to lighters.) I have an aversion to cell phones, but I don’t think anyone would deny that it was a beautiful phenomenon to see all those lights shimmering along with the music.
Springsteen crowd
surfing at the ACC.
“Point Blank”
live: The intro to this gorgeously arranged version was mesmerizing—the piano,
the cymbals. Bruce’s emotional delivery of the lyrics and the harmonies of the
band gave me the chills. There was a beautiful organ solo in the middle, too.
It may have been the best song of the evening.
“Because the Night”: The song that Bruce gave to Patti Smith. I read Smith’s memoir M Train a couple of months ago so it was synchronistic to hear the song last night. It was empowering to dance and sing along passionately with Bruce, the E Street band, and all the ecstatic fans. “Because the night belongs to lovers / Because the night belongs to us”!
The Encore: My secret wish for this concert was to hear “Badlands.” Check. Another special moment was when Bruce graciously danced with an octogenarian fan to “Dancing in the Dark.”
Final Thoughts: Time is passing, which was made evident by Bruce’s weathered face up on the big screen (as it is from my own middle-aged reflection in the mirror). This humble reminder makes me deeply grateful for magical, music-filled nights such as these.
“The subtext of The River was time, time entering your life and slipping away. And how once you entered your adult life, your clock starts ticking, you have a limited time to do your work, raise your family, and try and do something good.” —Bruce Springsteen
“Because the Night”: The song that Bruce gave to Patti Smith. I read Smith’s memoir M Train a couple of months ago so it was synchronistic to hear the song last night. It was empowering to dance and sing along passionately with Bruce, the E Street band, and all the ecstatic fans. “Because the night belongs to lovers / Because the night belongs to us”!
The Encore: My secret wish for this concert was to hear “Badlands.” Check. Another special moment was when Bruce graciously danced with an octogenarian fan to “Dancing in the Dark.”
Final Thoughts: Time is passing, which was made evident by Bruce’s weathered face up on the big screen (as it is from my own middle-aged reflection in the mirror). This humble reminder makes me deeply grateful for magical, music-filled nights such as these.
“The subtext of The River was time, time entering your life and slipping away. And how once you entered your adult life, your clock starts ticking, you have a limited time to do your work, raise your family, and try and do something good.” —Bruce Springsteen
Just Past Two
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| Black Birds Migrating, Lake Ridge Road |
From the side of the road I witness the graceful and
exacting movement of the flock. Cars rush past oblivious to this awesome dance.
There’s spaciousness in my chest and an intense feeling of gratitude overwhelms
me. I don’t want them to leave! But they do and I must go, as well. I have
someone special waiting for me to pick her up at 3:05.
Thank You
“Love cannot be far behind a grateful heart and thankful
mind.”
—A Course in Miracles
There is something pure and lovely about vulnerability mixed
with a deep sense of thankfulness for the simple things in life that bring us
joy. In this place where tears and a quickened heart rate are never far away,
one is alert and receptive.
Gratitude List for Summer 2015:
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Left in
between my front doors, a special gift from T. |
‣ Watching my patient daughter play with four feral kittens.
Her long and gently undulating hair aflame in the afternoon light
‣ Every Breath You
Take: The Singles by The Police
‣ Wind in the leaves of the tall pines, maples, and oaks
‣ Curious blue-eyed dragonflies
‣ Sudoku!
‣ Henkell Rosé
‣ A New Earth:
Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
‣ Bob Burns Books, where we always find something special. This year it was two contemporary seafarer memoirs by female adventurers and a few Fairy Realm books in excellent condition.
‣ Bob Burns Books, where we always find something special. This year it was two contemporary seafarer memoirs by female adventurers and a few Fairy Realm books in excellent condition.
‣ Afternoon concerts by the cicadas and crickets
‣ A virtual hug
‣ A virtual hug
‣ Enchanting sunlight in the early
morning/evening
‣ The tribal drum of distant thunder followed by a gentle rain
(that was pleasantly reminiscent of the sound of static at the end of a record)
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A thoughtful
gift from R. ♥ |
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From L.: Peace & Tranquility |
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