cool, refreshing clarity

Last year around this time I was fortunate enough to attend Karen Maezen Miller's Mother's Plunge. The day was full of all those fundamentally important elements that stood as symbols for how I want to live my life; reminders to breathe, trusted friends, beautiful surroundings, meandering down paths and around gardens, wise words, my camera, yoga, good food, gentle guidance, discoveries, epiphanies, new friends and more reminders to breathe. It was one of those kinds of days that I won't soon forget. Memories I carry in my back pocket and pull out when I need them most.

One of the many beauties of having a friend like Karen is that no matter the subject, no matter the means of communication between us, she always manages to slip in exactly what I need to hear. Through a simple comment on my Facebook page or blog, a phone call or an email, she's armed with that knowing and offers it lovingly and generously.

The other day a simple line in her email awakened me; ...that's what wisdom is: clarity.

A simple statement. A reminder. A nudge. A splash of refreshing truth. My One Little Word this year is 'deliberate'. So, I ask, did I think I could be deliberate without clarity? I think I've inadvertently tried to avoid it. But, now I have it in writing and thanks to one Zen Momma, I've heard the message, loud and clear.

Any wake up calls for you lately? Have you been sent a message to heed? A mission to accomplish? A lake to plunge into? Do tell.

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I encourage you to experience the Mother's Plunge for yourself if your whereabouts allow (no, you really don't have to be a mother to attend, I promise). Check out the soon-coming dates of the Plunge that might just be in your neck of the woods. A day with Karen is a perfect way to spend a day, let me tell you.

And for more insights and wisdom, Karen's latest book Hand Wash Cold is available for pre-order! Just listen to this excerpt for a little splash.

Comments

[Marcie]

Love the reminders to breathe...and yes of course in order to be deliberate you'd need clarity around what you are deliberating on!!
Fantastic detail in this image!!!

[Puna]

This isn't exactly the plunge that you are speaking of in your post. It's a bit more liberal of an interpretation.

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2010/01/annual-polar-bear-plunge-lunacy/

I haven't read Karen in a while. Maybe I'll check it out again! Thanks.

[Jade Sheldon]

Many many many wake up calls for me lately, one major one being taking the time to relish in the beauty nature provides:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmsheldon/4250763739/

[Darlene]

I just got a wake up call about a guy who is collecting pictures of children. His name is Jim Travis and he claims to be writing a Christian childrens book. He emailed me last night asking me if I wanted to do some free lance work for his book - to take pictures of children between the ages 4-9 being tickled on their feet by either a parent of sibling. The pictures were to be used in a draft so he said I didn't need model release forms or I didn't need to post process. I said sure, I'm interested, send me the details.

Long story short, I decided to do some research and all I came up with was this blog: http://accentphoto.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/busy-little-feet/ So I wrote her to ask if the guy was legitimate.

I'm SO GLAD I checked it out because he is simply collecting pictures of children. There is NO BOOK! She told me he has been scamming this book idea to other photographers PLEASE so be aware!! So creepy!

I'm glad I followed my gut. In his second email he asked "So, who do you think you will be taking pictures of?" I thought, how weird. Even if I told him he wouldn't even know them since he doesn't even live in this state!!

[Simon Lawrence]

A very beautiful image, excellent depth of field.

Si

[Elizabeth Harper]

My message to heed came from Meg Casey's post and led me back to a place I had been circling around for days...

http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/one-word-my-word/

[Kellee]

I feel like my entire life, right this minute, is one giant wake up call, begging for direction and focus. This is the year for it.

[Aubrey]

My nudge is yelling at me....
http://aubreyplays.blogspot.com/2010/01/wheres-your-focus.html

great shot!

[ELK]

such a peaceful shot Tracey

since I am a musician messages come to me often in the form of song lyrics...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/4233621927/

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