Today marks a beautiful pause point. The cosmic weather is shifting from forced momentum to conscious release. It’s an invitation to step out of the external noise, get your feet on the earth, and look at the landscape of your life.
“Look at all those footprints. There are so many options. Which new direction are you choosing with intention today?”
These are from 2010 marked with their
Butterfly Dance
Butterflies are the universal symbol of transformation and this summer, they are one of my teachers.
In one short month, they transform from small eggs to caterpillars, then back into a cocoon or chrysalis and finally a winged butterfly. Seeing their effortless dance always fills me with joy.
I believe all animal sightings bring a lesson and unique wisdom in that moment.
Butterfly’s gift is about effortless change, joy and creativity. They are the ultimate metaphor and symbol for the soul.
Different butterflies flitted in and out of my garden this summer bringing their usual moment of wonder, but in the past week the yellow swallowtails arrived in my secret garden with a clear message.
The secret garden is located behind our old barn. It’s wild and overgrown and private enough to dance naked in if so inclined.
The butterflies danced in full glory, circling around me in a to and fro dance and I fell under their spell. They perched on succulent blossoms and drank deep with their straw-like tongues and allowed me to examine them up close. Close enough to kiss.
They posed for photographs and in their magical presence I asked for their message. This is what they said: Keep moving forward, don’t hang on to outgrown habits. Butterflies don’t miss being caterpillars.
Every stage of growth is necessary and we keep cycling through the four stages 1) the egg or conceptual beginning. 2) caterpillar or outward but limited movement, growth and change. 3) cocoon or inward creative process and gestation. 4) Butterfly or integration of inner and outer growth and transformation.
You can not fast forward or rush any stage but if you don’t trust the process, you can get stuck in any of the four stages.
Identify which stage you’re in right now. Sometimes the cocoon stage may feel too long, but it’s always just long enough. Your wings may be wet and sticky at first but they know how to fly, let them. It’s time for your…
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 8/5/2010
Big Fish in a Small Pond?
(editors note: Well, this was a huge ouch. It’s only escalated dramatically in all these years, but the underlying message stays the same).
As I hopscotch across my social media networks, the word hustling fills my brain and I’m sick of it. Everyone is selling, promoting, cajoling, enlisting and yes, hustling to get more friends, fans, clients, money, fame or attention. Enough already.
We can’t all be #1 in the world but we can be happy whether we are a small or big fish in the pond of life, simply because we’re swimming in it. Enjoy!
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 8/6/2010
Happiness is a Place Between Too Little and Too Much
(sadly, no clue what happened to that birthday card or those photos but I did recreate it).
Please forgive this self-indulgent trip down memory lane which began with a recent birthday card. The card, sported a triple ice cream cone and the above quote, a Finnish proverb. I loved it, and given my Finnish roots, I just had to scour the Internet for more examples which I found by the boatload.
These jewels will find their way into future photo quote de jours but in the meantime, I wanted to create my own version of the happiness quote with pastel summer colors except I hadn’t taken any photos like that this summer, but wait, sitting in the middle of my office floor were bundles of old photos I’d been pawing through as memory prompts for a memoir I’m writing.
The ice cream color of Caribbean cottages captured the simple happiness of that holiday, and seeing the super skinny version of me was just the motivation I needed to lose a few pounds.
If I could find the balance between eating too little and too much, I’d not only be happy but a few pounds lighter.
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 8/10/2010
Good Egg, Bad Egg
That’s open to interpretation. For the rare people actually interested in my artistic process… here goes. Eggs are beautiful to photograph but I didn’t feel inspired until I noticed a lovely image in a restaurant of eggs in a bowl.
I did a copycat version but wasn’t satisfied until I took my little basket of eggs outside on the porch in the harsh noonday sun. The bright red table contrasted nicely with the green vines and buff eggs but it didn’t feel right.
Black and white proved better. But then, I tried sepia and now I can’t decide which one I like better, so I leave it for you to decide since art as aways is subjective.
(Alas, I have no record of the original ones but I still love photographing eggs).
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 8/12/2010
Leaving Home to Return Home
“On lähdettävä pitkälle matkalle, ennen kuin voi todella huomata, miten ihana koti on.”
This is a Finnish proverb that reminds of the journey we all make when we leave home and the joy of returning.
At this time of the year, many students are preparing to leave home for the first time for college, but the real journey is the one we take to discover our true nature and our true journey home.
The Buddha left his home, a palace with untold riches, his family, wife and newborn son for riches of another kind. After his first glimpse of the outside world he stood by the door, but didn’t actually leave until years later.
Sometimes, we need to stand at the threshold of a new life for awhile, to open the door, take a step and maybe step back until we take the final step, leave and make our way into the world, and our way back home.
Well, I don’t have the original Photo quote de Jour, I was in Finland in August or three years ago when the kids were going back to school and it seemed strange to me because we never went back to school until after Labor Day.
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 8/13/2010
I garden, therefore I am
Where did the summer go? Every time I see a flyer for back to school sales I cringe. The first dried leaves have already fallen in the garden and the greenery has passed to the other side of lush.
I want to stop time right now when the tomatoes are sweet and the peppers juicy, but there’s no stopping mother nature.
My basil, marjoram, mints and sage are going to seed. What can you do but be happy as the bees who pollinate them? I made today’s photo quote de jour at the beginning of summer but never got around to posting it.
With it is a recent collage from my garden and two local garden/farms. I garden, therefore I am. If you garden enjoy your bounty, if you don’t but have a farmer’s market near you please take advantage of the freshness while you can. Your body & soul will thank you.
Full Moon Wishes and Caviar Dreams
I observe every phase of the moon from waxing to waning and back again, but the full moon (like the one today) commands the most attention.
Every time we look at the moon, we share the experience with everyone else around the world. This sharing of a common experience brings us together in profound ways. What if we all looked at the moon and made a wish? Or prayed for peace? Or bowed in gratitude? What if?
If Gardeners Ruled the World, There Would Be No Environmental Disasters
This morning, as I strolled in the garden, I noticed the first signs of summer’s end: dried leaves, pokeweed berries, autumn mums budding.
Things grow naturally here, organically, in the true sense of the word, and I thought if gardeners ruled the world, would we have a B.P. oil spill or any number of environmental disasters? I thought not.
How could be mistreat something we love and hold sacred? Loving our planet is the most natural thing in the world, but our relationship with nature is a reflection of ourselves. Do we love and honor ourselves enough to take care of our backyard and beyond?
August 27, 2010
