As is my habit I like to spend a bit of time on Fridays and write a post giving you a peek into my week – what I’ve been up to and what’s been engaging my heart and mind.
This has been one of those weeks that has felt very full. Not in the sense of having done lots of things, but rather heart full. Between saying goodbye to our beloved cat Jupiter and celebrating a birthday, this week has been filled with enormous amounts of kindness and love. There’s so much to be grateful for in our world, both collectively and privately, and I always believe it’s important to acknowledge that. To say aloud and in action, in as many ways as possible, that we appreciate each other and the blessings that grace our lives.
I always love celebrating my birthday. Not only because it’s fun – what’s not to love about good wishes, and presents, and cake? But mostly because it’s a natural time of reflection and re-setting. Every year as I get set to launch to myself on another journey around the sun, I think about who I am. I ponder the line from Shakespeare “There was a star danced, and under that was I born” and think about the zodiacal sky I was born under and how it is a life-long map reminding me of the treasures I carried in with me. Every year I gift myself with a solar return reading, and I also think about what energies I want to bring into my new year; what I want to recommit to and what’s ready to be let go of. I’ve always considered myself lucky that my birthday fall almost exactly in the middle of the calendar year – a perfect spot for review and then moving forward.
This is a bouquet of Lisianthus flowers I received for my birthday. Aren’t they beautiful?
Beauty is important to me. I always feel a little bit strange when I say that, because I always wonder if I’ll be misunderstood. I’m afraid people will think I’m saying physical appearances are important to me, and if that’s true then I should actually care more about how I look. And clearly my outer wrapper isn’t all that beautiful, at least according to current social standards. But that’s not what I mean at all.
I believe we give a gift to the things in our life by seeing them – that it is our eyes witnessing them that creates some kind of magic that allows them to shine even more brightly because we are consciously receiving the gift they are giving by their very being. Each one of us has a part in making the world a more and more beautiful place, and that’s what I mean when I say beauty is important to me. A world that’s filled with harmony and loving-kindness; appreciation and celebration; equality and goodwill.
As I move into my new personal year, I want to be sure to say thank you for all the beauty in my world. And that certainly includes you dear readers.
That’s a bit of an overview of what’s been up with my heart this week. But you know I also like to share some of fabulousities, curiosities, and brain igniters that have engaged me during the week, so here’s a list of those things as well:
- My heart is still tender with the loss of Jupiter the glorious ginger cat, and so I’ve been especially appreciative of the loving from our remaining cat Amaterasu Solaria. And I’m also celebrating these fabulous animal delights:
- Artist Liz Climo’s Awkward Everyday Lives of Animals
- Crow hitching a ride. There’s some speculation that this is photoshopped although Snopes doesn’t think so. I don’t either, but whatever the case it makes my heart happy.
- This week had me thinking about my zodiacal sky and birth constellation, and so I was amused to find this article on artist Melissa McGill’s installation of a constellation. It’s got my brain all fired up thinking of what kind of constellations I’d like to create.
- Shauna Niequist’s post Use Your Words is a perfect reminder to tell those in your life how important they are to you. I’m carrying this message into my new year with renewed focus, and I hope you’ll join me.
- And finally because we all need a little art to happy our hearts, this week I’m celebrating Katie Ponder.
There you have it – what’s been in my heart and on my mind this week. What about you? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
I’m so sorry that you loss your beautiful pet.
Happy belated Birthday Deborah. <3 I love the many ways that you celebrate your birthday. I really appreciate your presence in this world, all that you share and who you are, such a beautiful shining star!! <3
Oh such kind words – thank you Suzanne!
Happy Birthday to you! I also used the full moon to look back on what I have been able to accomplish this year so far. Never as much as I wanted but still managed to cross some things off the list. I am about to embark on the “Inner Excavate-Along” with Liz Lamoreux and am excited to see what I can dig up about myself. I also find it interesting that you consider this the beginning of the year for you. Maybe because my birthday is in March, I had not thought about that before. Again, happy days!
Oh how fun Janet that you’ll be doing Inner Excavate Along – I’m sure it will be wonderful. I love Liz and I’ve had her book ever since she released it so maybe I’ll play along as well.
Deborah, a belated happy birthday to you! Blessed is the day you were born. So sorry that Jupiter died … he was clearly loved and treasured. Did you see him up in the sky the other evening? Along with Venus?
Have a great upcoming week. Hope your 4th July was great.
Thanks for the kind words Susan. And indeed I saw Jupiter and Venus – they play well together don’t they?
Dear Deborah,
So sorry to hear about your pet. I know how hard it can be…but am sure he’s looking out for you from above.
Belated birthday wishes to you gorgeous lady. Who cares about what beautiful means as per the social standards. A heart that cares…a heart that overflows with love is what matters most.
Looks like your birthday and my marriage anniversary was in the same week. Mine was on the 4th of July. It was our 7th year and my husband and I decided to sponsor a child. As you mentioned of making the world a better place…..with love in our hearts we can all create a better world…
Thank you so much for such a lovely post which somehow has a few things in common with what I posted today.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead:)
Congratulations on your anniversary. And what a wonderful way to celebrate your marriage and life together by sharing your resources and love with a child in need. Such beautiful hearts you have! May they always continue to overflow with love.
So hard to say goodbye to our furry babies…..sending you ‘hugs’. Also extending some belated Happy Birthday wishes…the flowers are beautiful you lucky girl!
Thanks for your kind thoughts and good wishes Debbie – I appreciate them both.
Happy Birthday, Deborah!
I feel that we are lucky to have you so I am wishing you many many more wonderful years ahead of you. Your link to “using your words” reminded me that it is OK to be proud of people. I often hesitate to use those words because I do not want to seem like I am patronizing them, but then I miss out on possibly making someone’s day when I thought them and said nothing. Oh how challenging life is sometimes!
I am sorry about your dear kitty. I love cats. They are such special and unique creatures. May yours be happy wherever he/she’s gone to.
Oh Amy – thanks for the kind words. And I so get that the last thing one wants to be is patronizing and that proud can be tricky to articulate. I think I avoid this entirely by stating what feels like my truth – that something or someone makes my heart happy. People can’t argue with the state of our hearts. 🙂
Ha. Good point!
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Jupiter. I am a cat lover and know on a deeply personal level how hard it is to lose a cherished pet. Be gentle with yourself Deborah, this is a challenging time. Happy, Happy Birthday to you!! I love the process or ritual you have to mark your birthday. What an ideal time to reflect on what you will let go of and what you choose to carry forward. Hope your special day was full of love, joy and good wishes!
I appreciate your kind words and good wishes Nancy – thank you.
Such a lovely gentle post. A reminder to appreciate, not only the world around us, loved ones and pets, and the positives in life, but also ourselves. I don’t usually do anything on my birthday, however you have inspired me to be good to me this year. Thank you.
Oh yes Kama, I SO encourage you to do fabulous wonderful kind things for yourself!
You always manage to inspire me. Sorry about your pet, they are always a part of a family.
Thanks for the kind words Anna, and I appreciate you stopping by to say hello.
Always so much for me to comment on but I will choose just a few.
Happy belated birthday and so sorry to hear about Jupiter.
I could definitely take lessons from you about how to celebrate one’s birthday! What an excellent tradition you have for yours!
Oh my goodness, that blog post Use Your Words was Spectacular! I use my words frequently by way of writing hand written cards and mailing them out (snail mail) with a wax seal and everything. People seem to really appreciate it and keep the cards.
Thanks for always sharing so much about your week!
Yay you Elda for the snail mail love you send (and with wax seals!) – I love that. It really is delightful to receive a little postal treasure. And I totally encourage you to create fabulous birthday celebrations that are right-fit for you. Starting off on another trip around the sun is a fun thing and it’s good to feel prepared with lots of joy.
Oh, happy birthday and I’m so sorry that you lost your heart. Thank you for sharing your flowers with us, I couldn’t take my eyes off that photo.
Thanks Tat. The flowers are amazing aren’t they – and they’re still going strong more than a week later. Gotta love that!