Strength

At times in my life I have felt an intense urge to protect or be strong for the family and friends that I love and care for. This urge has translated into my going beyond the call of duty, in variable ways. It has most times created unhealthy dynamics and co-dependencies (that have taken time, unnecessary pain and patience to heal and change). Although at the time I felt that I was doing the right thing, I now realise that this kind of giving can be disempowering to the person I am trying to help in the first place. Also, it can be incredibly draining on your own internal resources and 'you cannot give, what you don't have within.' We cannot protect people from their pain, but we can respect, support and allow their choices. And love them openly and unconditionally; and see them as whole and complete and fully capable of any challenge that comes their way.

The Law of the Jungle

Now this is the law of the Jungle - as old and true as
the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the 
Wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk the Law
runneth forward and back -
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the
strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

(Rudyard Kipling)


Know This!

In all the moments up to the moment;
I will be there.

A marble pillar of resolve and
strength;
Draw from me,
I have much reserves.

Rest your load on my shoulders;
I gladly carry it.

Place your fears into my lap;
I will care for them tenderly.

Seek nothing but love from me;
For that is all I surrender.

In all the moments up to the moment;

I am your Goliath, your Hercules,
your oak tree;
Side by side, hand in hand,
Heroically bending to the wills of life -

Up to that moment...

LB

Secret

The following poem explores the concept of secrets and how carrying a secret for yourself or others can weigh heavily on the heart. It considers, not only the physiological nature of holding secrets, but also the psychological burden constructed of the lies and justifications we make to ourselves - that help us to merge the truth and the lies of such things into one small being or entity; that may be contained conveniently, but holds a mass of density and weight.

I have first included 'Robert Frost's poem, which conversely looks at the idea of those dark places, as spaces within oneself!

They cannot scare me with their empty spaces
Between stars - on stars where no human race is.
I have it in me so much nearer home
To scare myself with my own desert places.


Secret

I carry myself,
Hold tightly this burden;
Inside - layers
Meted upon it's own foundation stone.

Eyes around me - but do not see,
The secret lurks;
Sullen in it's murky depths.
Slowly it grows!

Despite mass and weight,
I store the extra pounds easily;
Forgetting where they originated -
This intimacy.

Denser and denser I become,
This womb and I;
There is no seperation -
Such divides are none.

LB

Dragon

A new year is upon us again, but not just any year! 2012 is meant to signify a change in consciousness for all people, as the Mayan calendar came quietly to a close. But this year personally signifies added value and importance for me; as we move into the Chinese year of the Dragon on the 23rd January. This being my birth year, it alludes to a period of time where my personal growth is accelerated greatly amidst great challenges, change and reward. It is more essential than ever to be aligned with one's higher self and in tune with the signs and language communicated by the universe. Being able to have discernment, clarity and judgement at such a time of growth is imperative to guide oneself through the obstacles and lessons ahead. Good luck and love to all fellow dragons!


Whisper

The whisper of the universe is fragile, vulnerable,
formidable, reverent and powerful;
Are you brave enough to hear its
call?
Take no shame in the collective fear,
Nor recompense this debt.
It takes a courageous soul - to be
home from home;
And to once again speak its
language,
From time eternal.
But such reward, would meet you
and all you encounter -
Nurture such alliance!

LB

Trees

'If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees' (Hal Borland)

Throughout history, trees have been powerful symbols of life, growth, wisdom, nobility and longevity. Their roots reach down into the ground and their branches extend up to the sky at the same time. Steeped in many myths and legends, trees have prevailed throughout time (some oak trees reaching two hundred plus years old). These iconic plants have been recognised in many historic ideas such as the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the tree of life, the ygdrassil tree (in Norse mythology). The druids of early Britain worshipped trees, the Greeks assigned them spirits called dryads and individual trees have been revered as sacred by some cultures. They also support many ecosystems and are specific to certain climates and environments. Some of the oldest trees in the world have been found to be around five thousand years old! Celebrate the value that trees bring to our life!


Tree Consciousness

The twigs, branches - burnt by the season's frost,
Patient, grounded even in suffering;
Alone, always listening - but never forlorn.

There is no question or urgency to it's task,
Quiet understanding of cycles and patterns;
Whispers and murmurs, as the moon saunters past.

Seen through it's barrenness,
The naked eye of truth wisdom;
A blueprint of time that continues to last.

Untroubled, and still with the cold,
A custodian of enigma;
Secret keeper of old.

LB

Autumn

Autumn and spring are my two favourite seasons. I love the moderate nature of both and the wonderful richness in colours. I feel that it is a time of transition for people and nature, and whereas  autumn presents the end of a cycle, conversely; spring represents the beginning of a cyle and new life. The following poem was inspired by the giant chestnut leaves blowing around, and their beautiful, rich colours and hues, of brown, red, orange, gold and yellow.

Ghost Leaves

Into the road - skeleton bodies of leaves
are relentlessly pressed down;
Their autumnal colours, shrouds
of the season gone by.
A myriad wallpaper, brightening
the tarmac.
Little paper crunches;
Under the tyres.
Pensively, I almost wish that they
had been lovingly collected by some
small child, mother in hand.
Or, that the wind had blown them;
Hurtling them at great speed,
Like little gold mice scuttling across
the field.
But here they lay;
Until the first winter frost,
Their star shapes fading into the road -
Until their fossilisation is complete,
And all that remains are sprinkles of 
browns and gold.

LB

Greatness

'what strikes the oyster shell, does not damage the pearl' (Rumi)

This is one of my favourite Rumi quotes. I love the message that it conveys so beautifully, the idea that no matter what we endure in life, we can use this experience to draw us inwards towards essence, faith and a certainty of knowing. Knowing that whatever happens on the outside, does not necessarily have to effect the inside.

Acquiring the skill of magnifying the best in people, requires some mastery. It all begins from an appreciation and love of yourself, not just the parts that you accept or quite like, but those parts that we choose to ignore, those parts in other people that drive us crazy (we cannot see the similarity, ironically!) Learning to approach all aspects of life from a position of observation rather than judgement, can present a challenge, but it takes practice and persistency. We are all fallible! How many judgements do we consciously make in one day? (and what of the unconscious ones?)

We have to remind ourselves that people are imperfect, and when they hurt or disappoint us - it comes from a position of fear. We are either aligned with love or aligned with fear. There is no other way. And what you focus on grows. So conserve your precious energy for the good in life and grow from this point. Let go of anything that is getting in the way of that. Have love and compassion and send it on its way, without any bad feelings. Detach with love.

I am always appreciative that I am able to see the love, potential and greatness in all those people close to me in my life. For when you open your eyes to greatness, you start to see examples of it everywhere around you. We all have greatness...we just have to give it permission to shine.

Your Greatness

I had a thought of you, it is so clear
to me -
A vision of your future, just a
snapshot.
For most secrets are for you to
nurture silently.

This greatness I hold for you,
patiently.
With an uncertain knowing of
certainty.
The eternal flicker of potential,
that you bear latently.
You are bright, simmering softly.

Sit aside me awhile.
And witness a hologram;
Pay attention,
To the miracle - that is you.
Will you meet me there?

LB

Flow

'What you seek is seeking you.'
Rumi


It is very easy to get caught up in the distractions of life, where one loses themselves to the routine, chores and responsibilities. But staying aligned with your true desires and maintaining that personal focus takes work and commitment. One can easily forget that we are both a mind, a body and a spirit and each needs individual nourishment and attention to function as a happy whole.

Life flow

Back and forth;
Chasing the minutes,
Tripping over ourselves in a hedge to
catch up -
Catch up to where?

Losing ourselves -
To other selves;
Forgetting who we are, and
Betraying who we want to be.

Distracted by bright lights -
And noise - chaos from all
angles,
At every level.

Step away! Step away softly -
Retreat, retrace your steps;
And whisper that promise,
That only you are meant to hear...

LB