Today is a beautiful October day and I took some time outside to enjoy the sunshine. Autumn light isn’t the same as Summer light – it’s filtered and nuanced in such lovely ways, but it feels wonderful all the same. As I was soaking it in, I thought about how earlier this week, on the first really dark and gloomy day of this season, I wondered if it might serve me to investigate getting some full spectrum light. But today all thoughts of possible Seasonal Affective Disorder seem far away. In fact, I was thinking about all the wonderful demonstrations of love I have in my life, and how I wrap them around me like the treasures they are.
And thinking about treasures reminded me I have some to share in a little show-and-tell.
Let’s start with this card. I love artist Pamela Zagarenski and the greeting cards she creates with her line Sacred Bee.
I’m participating in a small group and Lion has shown up for our work together. It’s been fun seeing how Lion shows up for each of us, and this card really delights me. I love the message, which given my not-all-that-fabulous photography skills may be a bit hard to make out. But it’s a French proverb that says “To be loved is the best way of being useful.”
That just makes my heart so happy. Plus there are additional bonus happiness points in seeing all the bees flying around. You know how I feel about bees!
(And as an additional delightful surprise, when I went to her site to copy the link here, I discovered her front page now contains a reference to Ra’s tears and bees. I’m sure that wasn’t there before, but I love it’s affirmation of the reference I made here.)
The next treasure is a gift I just received from a dear friend – a beautiful art tile. Oh how I love Ravens and Crows and this gem really fills me with joyance. As does the archaic word joyance!
I’m also really enjoying the new deck by Lisa McLoughlin Tree Wisdom Cards. I’ve really loved working with her earlier deck Plant Ally cards and so when she announced this new deck I knew I had to check them out.
The back of each card contains a little blurb as well as the name of the tree she’s illustrated.
I’ve never met Mandy Steward but I know we’re kindreds because we like the same things – namely Secret Message Societies and zines. Subscribers to her monthly zine are in the running each month to receive a little 4”x4” original bit of art with a secret message. I was a lucky winner, and here’s the message.
That’s indeed what I’m feeling right now. Fabulous and magical isn’t it?
I hope you’ve had some sunshine to enjoy and been paying attention to what you love and what treasures are filling your life. And I hope each of you, my dear readers, knows you are useful because there’s no question that I love you. But now tell me, what secret message do you have to share? What proverb makes you smile? What oracle deck is capturing your fancy? You know I’d love to hear.
This week I’m loving the writer of Raptitude.com, David Cain. He helped me a great deal with my going through stuff with this little ditti, “Stuff doesn’t usually have a home. Items of stuff are transients, surviving day-by-day in a temporary stack somewhere, leaning sadly against a garage wall, or sleeping in the darkness of a junk drawer, never sure of their fate or purpose. A particularly fortunate piece might get a chance to hibernate in a half-full cardboard box in the storage room, with some other hard-luck outcasts.
Nor do they have jobs. Just ask my broken acoustic guitar. Sorry, pal, but as a chronically disabled possession I just can’t keep you busy here. But feel free to mill about the closet behind the well-employed shirts and pants. I’m too insecure and sentimental to boot you out, but maybe one day, by some unlikely turn of events, you’ll become relevant again.”
My gratitude is like’ kissing the ground in a fresh new way’. Thanks Deborah.
David’s take on things makes me a wee bit sad, but all the more inspired to have only treasures in my life.
Hi Deborah – as a sunny dry day filters through its sunlight .. yes October has special rays. Love the little things that give you joy – and joyance .. great word ..
Gratitude is living peacefully … regardless of all around … I do – cheers Hilary
Here’s to sun and joy in our hearts Hilary.
I loved seeing all your treasures and reading the secret messages Deborah! This past week as I sat by the lake, I was overcome with emotion as I watched an eagle soar just a few feet from me. The message I received was so clear. I need to be brave and strong and take flight with my wings to the highest of highs. I am to be powerful force not to be stopped.
Oh what a beautiful and powerful message Michelle! And I celebrate you for being open to receive it.
It’s a delight viewing treasures through your eyes, Deborah. Fall is my favorite season (used to be spring but that doesn’t seem to happen in the Northeast these days) with the cooler temperatures, crisp, clean air and colors. It’s a delightful time to enjoy the wonders of the world (including thunderstorms). Thanks for sharing your happiness.
Nature does know how to delight us doesn’t she Nanette? And she certainly puts on a fine show in autumn. Wishing you a most fabulous one.
I love that little piece of art you received. It reminds me of Rumi’s, “There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”
I love autumn light the most of all but that’s partly because autumn is such a relief in Arizona. We’ve been able to have our doors and windows open the last couple of days and it’s been wonderful. Next week will be heating up again but the nights are still cool and we know that fall is very close.
There’s something so invigorating about fall. Things seem to start up again, lots of possibilities, lots of things to do and attend. I always feel like I’m the threshold of something exciting…
I’m sure autumn feels like such an exponentially delightful reprieve from your bake-y hot summers. And for those of us who love your photography, we relish that you can get out more now.
I love that sense of excitement and possibility that autumn brings as well. I invariably want to sign up for classes and make a visit to the office supply store. 🙂
Always such a joy to read your words and delight in your magical finds. The crow and raven spoke to me especially today as I have started a painting of just that….the raven…tap, tap, tapping at my door……
Oh I do hope you’ll share photos of your painting at some point Debbie – you know I’ll want to see.
Thanks for sharing, Deborah! I especially appreciate seeing the tree wisdom deck and your Secret Message prize. (I follow Mandy Steward on Instagram and love her nuggets of wisdom & whimsy!) A bit of wisdom I’ve been pondering over the last few days is that the world is my mirror; I see what I’m looking for. Cheers to continuing to see beauty & sunshine!
A most excellent bit of wisdom to ponder Heather!