You may notice that Day 8 is a little late. I was kicked offline literally and figuratively, leaving some necessary technical pieces in Massachusetts, relegated only to my phone for contact. It's okay. It was time to clean house a bit. 

When constructs are cleared, I can notice more readily what it is that I can rely upon: what is a formidable foundation. And the importance of building a strong house with solid materials, of keeping and maintaining commitments and intentions. Eventhough I could not post, I still sought the Inspiration of the day. Eventhough we may not be doing exactly what we want, we can still fuel the fire as if. 

As if it is already so.

I have some amazing people in my life, I bet you do too. In the moments after this new moon, in the clearing of the deck, in the creating of the new, I think of some of fantastic teachers I have in my life that help make the foundations of this house strong.

I woke up a little uncertain and pretty grumpy today, which is ridiculous because I woke up here:

And when you are grumpy in a place this beautiful, it can only mean one thing:

Let it go. I am not even apologizing for the ridiculous Disney placement. I just watched this movie for the first time this month with my two year old niece. And she got it. She put on her cape and her princess pride and belted out her song. You can too.

It's lightening and raining now, and I am welcoming in the rain at the Berkshires, and the sweet bounty that life can offer. So what if it is only for a moment. That's all we have anyway.

                                                                                Look around and find the thought that is weighing you down and let it go.



DAY 5:  Let it Go
PS. We have a powerful new moon coming up: intention time.

I am at the gorgeously peaceful and inspiring, Kripalu  Center, enjoying  Ann Randolph's Writing Workshop, fabulously prepared food, and my pick of yoga classes: life is good.

There are many aspirants and retreatants here for a multitude of reasons. You can feel the intentions of letting go or maximizing headstand coursing through the hallways. We are a bit of a rowdier group, and yet we still go deep. All is not what it seems. What one person needs may be irrelevant for another: the importance is knowing where you need to be and what you need to be doing there.

It can be as simple as a yes, and a smile into the sun. Just listen.

DAY 4:
Are you where you need to be, today?

Look around you for clues that you are following your own path, or notice the road flares that you need to get back on track. Whatever the case, enjoy today's journey.

 I live in a beautiful place. I really do.

And I travel to places of beauty, for me. 
For beauty comes in so many forms: in concrete, in coffeehouses, in the arms of beloveds.

Where do you find beauty?

So much  L O V E.  

This summer has been so expansive for me on so many levels from the Pacific to the Atlantic: new beloveds arriving, ancient beloveds transforming, treasured beloveds transitioning, and in each a pathway to love.   

I am starting, today, in honor of a wise, young in form, Bright Light that blazed his pathway brightly and quickly: 
40 days of Inspiration. His way reminded me that each day is the day -  fail or fly -  the moment is all we have.

In Dedication to Ryan:

OPEN
by David Whyte

It is a small step to remember
how life led to this
moment's hesitation.

How the door to the deeper world
opens, letting the body fall at last,
toward the few griefs it can call its own.

Oh yes, I know. Our wings catch fire
in that downward flight
and we come to earth afraid
we can never fly again.

But then we always knew
heaven would be a desperate place.
Everything you desired coming
in one fearful moment
to greet you.

Your full presence only in rest
and the love that asks nothing.
The rest where you lie down
and are no longer found at all.



May all beings be full of joy and free of suffering.

I love essential oils. They are the distilled power of plants that can easily penetrate - in my experience - the levels of physical, emotional and even spiritual simultaneously. 

Think about it. Your olfactory sense communicates axons (information) to various brain centers, including the indubitable amygdala. The amygdala is fascinating in that it contains our imprinting of how to handle stimulus based on our previous experiences or patterning. 

What does that have to do with smelly (both lovely and sometimes pungent) oils? Well, the nose sniffs and the action or emotion of the oil goes directly to the brain and the brain says, "Oh, yes, yum,'" and responds to the energetic of the oil; therefore, we have the experience of the energetic of the oil. That energetic experience can have amino acids and polypeptides released into our system, so that "energy" of peace, euphoria, or steadfastness actually courses through our veins if we allow our noses to know.

Don't believe me? 
Grab a tangerine essential oil and take a sniff; then grab a Marjoram essential oil  and take a sniff.  Did your nose notice the change? Did your face change too? Did one draw you in and one draw you back? I bet so.

Back to Yarrow, there are several types, but I am just playing with Blue Yarrow right now. Yarrow is a strong, earthy essential oil and is well known for its protective properties, which is helpful when there is a lot of travel. Traveling can leave us ecstatic and a bit depleted if we are not mindful to up our immune system and nurture ourselves as we are far away from our cozy habits of home with our favorite tea or long walk that helps us unwind: a calm nervous system is a healthy component of a strong immune system.

Knowing this, and how a lot of travel can ask more of my body, I have been rubbing Yarrow on the soles of my feet (in connection to reflexology each organ is represented, or connected to a meridian point at the bottom of our feet), and I have been pleasantly surprised at how supportive, protective and nutritive Yarrow has been. 

What you empower empowers you. 

This has been the case in many of my herbal experiences. For instance, I normally travel with a tried and true group of 5 oils and then add to that based on what is going on in my life. On a quick side trip, I only had Yarrow. With all the travel, I noticed my menstrual cycle was a little slow and arduous in its start. I grabbed Yarrow and generously slathered her on my belly, hoping she'd do something. Researching after the fact, I learned She is a well known uterine tonic. Sometimes that is just how (unknowingly) supported we are.

Plants are constantly teaching me. We have had a close relationship, sometimes I have been less than dutiful, yet, each time I return to the realm of Nature with an honest heart,  I am accepted, nourished and supported.

So Yarrow prompted me to share. Why not? Perhaps She has something to tell you, too.

Interested in learning more about oils or meeting Yarrow yourself? Drop a  line: kmbrenton@gmail.com