Monday, November 29, 2021

A Gate Unfastened

These words stopped me.
As I consider plowing through old journals.

I confess, my past endeavors to
"harvest" them have been unsettling.

I found little patience 
for my former self.

Barriers were erected.

Perhaps I need another review.
One from a more compassionate perspective.
Someone with less judgement
and more curiosity.
Less need for "perfection" (whatever that is).
Someone willing to saunter
rather than run;
to experience
rather than produce;
to accept 
rather than "fix".
kastilwell






 

Friday, November 26, 2021

Keeping The Peace


 This is a wakeup thought for someone 
who defers to "harmony" automatically, 
unconsciously, even. 
The programming is deep.
Turn the page.
Start fresh. 
Take up space!
Speak up even while shaking.
kastilwell


Thursday, November 25, 2021

Underground River


 I am convinced this "invisible river" of gold exists.
While the outer world shouts and incites,
the inner world nourishes and grows.
Kindness flourishes.
Decency strengthens.
Fairness thrives.
Mutual respect multiplies.
Goodness endures.

A sincere and heartfelt thanks to you
for being present in my world.
kastilwell


Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Boundaries




 Considering this carefully.
A short statement carrying a
mighty impact.
Most helpful as one 
contemplates their boundaries.
kastilwell

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Nature is More


 I would add (wo)man to Lord Byron's words.  
Otherwise he nails it for me. 
The "pathless woods", the "lonely shore",
these are the places of wonder for me.
They are also places of accompaniment.
As if invisible friends walk with me.
May nature accompany you today.
kastilwell

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Lightmaking


 This book, The Lightmaker's Manifesto, is so practical.  
There are so many times,
my friends and I say, 
"I want to do something but I don't know what."  
This is the roadmap to figuring out 
what each of us can do to contribute to our world in a positive way.  
If your love language is cooking...cook!  
If your love language is digging in the dirt, dig!  
The key is to find a way to do it for others 
as well as yourself without becoming burned out.  
There are creative ways to contribute.  
kastilwell

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Love Affair


 I couldn't wait to share this after hearing it for the first time.
It is provocative and inviting.
To simply be who I am in whatever state I find myself?
That is indeed new and foreign territory.
It makes me wonder if "I" and "myself" 
even speak the same language.
It has opened up an entirely new way
of approaching the moments
 of confusion,
frustration,
incoherence.
Discovering who I am beneath
all the layers of programming?
What an adventure!
KAStilwell



Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Fear of Dying

This prompts me to take a look
at where I hold back 
with loved ones,
with the work of writing,
with all sorts of potential endeavors.
It seems a worthy exploration.
KAStilwell

 

Monday, November 8, 2021

Unnamed Has Value


 Many times in the recent past, I have found myself incoherent 
when attempting to describe something within.
It's caused humiliation and shame.
A failure to verbalize something with language
 another can understand
seems imperative for someone 
who attempts to write.
It was encouraging to come across this quote
and consider another way of seeing it.
By the way, the forest is golden these days.

It’s a forest of gold in autumn.

It’s a forest of cold and chilly and clear 

on this seventh day of November.

It speaks a parable to the beauty in dying.  

This dying process, 

done in color 

is a harbinger of new life.

A testimony to letting go… 

to the spiral of life...

to resurrection.


To the ever trust-worthy return of the light 

even after the most entrenched darkness. 

The earth is embracing me in this forest of gold.

Reminding me how astonishingly beautiful dying can be.

As astonishingly beautiful as living itself.


Gazing into the sun is too much 

for these human eyes.

(I’m blinded by the light 

yet I receive new sight). 

I require a buffer 

to view its reflection

To witness its presence within 

and among the shadows.

Sometimes its best to turn away

and know it glows behind me.


What a treasure, 

this morning with 

the shadows and the light, 

accompanying, 

reminding, 

restoring, 

redeeming.


kastilwell




Friday, November 5, 2021

Cultivate Sleep and Play

I'm surprised how difficult this concept is to absorb.
Even though I wholeheartedly agree
with the wisdom of this sentiment,
I confess to feeling a twinge of intimidation
when I encounter someone
who seems to be super busy, apparently productive,
always active and involved with many endeavors.
Then I remind myself,
first of all, not to compare,
and second of all,
it's what's under the surface 
and behind the scenes
that matters.
The simple truth is:
bodies need rest and rejuvenation
to operate as they're designed to. 
Just like our earth does.  
kastilwell


 

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Creative Transparency

For me, this is an ideal to strive toward. 
(At my age, I best get moving!)
I wonder if anyone is ever truly there?
Brené Brown comes to mind but
I know from reading her interviews,
it's a struggle, even for her. 
The truth is, we're all doing
the best we can.
And that's an achievement.
kastilwell
 

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Nothing Wrong With Me


 I respectfully offer this quote 
while acknowledging the differences
of human experience and history.
It seems to me, this is a shared sentiment
among many human creatures.
May we "unlearn the patterns,
embody new behaviors,
and heal the wounds."
May we support each other
on this expedition.
kastilwell