Early this morning my mind and heart are filled with bird song. I hear them every morning but this morning I am filled with their song. As I open the blind on my kitchen door, the song of mourning doves fills the air. I see two perched on the wall just outside and am enamored by their soft beauty. A few moments later I hear birds in the front and quietly walk toward the large window in my living room. I expect to see a flock of small birds in the bushes but there are just two house wrens on the porch across from me. Two! The male is strutting his stuff as the female watches. Their chatter makes me laugh because it is way bigger than they are! I smile broadly and shake my head. Sweet beings.

Their song chases all thought from my mind and I am immersed in it, not knowing how many different kinds of birds sing, not seeing them, just hearing their presence. Birds just live. They fly, they feed, they sing, they chatter,they breed, they build nests and raise their young. They go...

I just came in from a walk - good for me on so many levels! The obvious one is the physical of course. Mental, emotional, spiritual benefits kick in when I turn my walk into a meditation as well. I have hardly any rules. Actually, the only real rule I have is:  no ear buds for music or phone calls. I carry my phone in case of emergency or, to call a family member when I am winding down and decide to stop in for a visit if possible.

So, how do you do walking meditation. There are as many methods as there are belief systems, ideas, people. This is what I have done on my last few walks.

I do a few simple stretches before leaving home to connect with my breathing and to begin to move energy into my muscles and joints. As I start walking outside, I create a balancing breath that matches my stride, starting slowly with 4 counts on the inhale and 4 counts on the exhale. As my legs warm, I increase speed while keeping my stride rather short if I am wanting to include...

I picked up the paper in the driveway before sunrise one morning. As I turned back toward the house, I looked to the sky as I always do. The full moon was veiled in soft clouds and I thought of my journal entry from November, 2012.

I had titled it "Moon Bride."

I am a Sky-Watcher and I always have been.

Tonight I turn a corner coming home and look up as I always do. My heart opens. My face smiles and I whisper "Well, hello Moon..."

Still so close to full, shrouded in a pale white cloud, you are even more beautiful so sweetly veiled. The glow of light shining as it cascades across your face, falling like the veil of a blushing bride, to flow into the folds of her gown.

Moon Bride, you touch my very soul with your beauty and your grace.

May you allow Divine Love to touch your very soul with beauty and grace. May you be aware of your own beauty and grace. 

Will you allow Divine Love to grace your Soul? May I walk with you and support your...