I’m indulging in the simple pleasures right now. Watching movies: I saw both The Dark Knight (great but, well, dark) and Mamma Mia! (a whole lot of rip-roaring fun) this weekend; reading books: I’ve embarked on a journey of reading all of Agatha Christie’s books in chronological order; and sitting around with my feet very firmly up.

This poem came to my attention last week posted on a bulletin board in the hallway shared by a bookstore and restaurant in Half Moon Bay. It conjured up similar feelings to those I’ve had over this past year’s journey. As I post it today, I’m hoping it will help me to motivate to spread my wings back out and set out on a new leg of my journey soon. And perhaps it will work that way for you, too. Namaste.

The Return
by Geneen Marie Haugen

Some day, if you are lucky,
you’ll return from a thunderous journey
trailing snake scales, wing fragments
and the musk of Earth and moon.

Eyes will examine you for signs
of damage, or change
and you, too, will wonder
if your skin shows traces

of fur, or leaves,
if thrushes have built a nest
of your hair, if Andromeda
burns from your eyes.

Do not be surprised by prickly questions
from those who barely inhabit
their own fleeting lives, who barely taste
their own possibility, who barely dream.

If your hands are empty, treasureless,
if your toes have not grown claws,
if your obedient voice has not
become a wild cry, a howl,

you will reassure them. We warned you,
they might declare, there is nothing else,
no point, no meaning, no mystery at all,
just this frantic waiting to die.

And yet, they tremble, mute,
afraid you’ve returned without sweet
elixir for unspeakable thirst, without
a fluent dance or holy language

to teach them, without a compass
bearing to a forgotten border where
no one crosses without weeping
for the terrible beauty of galaxies

and granite and bone. They tremble,
hoping your lips hold a secret,
that the song your body now sings
will redeem them, yet they fear

your secret is dangerous, shattering,
and once it flies from your astonished
mouth, they–like you–must disintegrate
before unfolding tremulous wings.

Photo: “Dreams of a Journey,” origianlly uploaded by Laura Chifiriuc

The 2008 San Francisco Avon Walk for Breast Cancer may be over, but it is only just beginning to live on in my memories. This past weekend was absolutely amazing. A physical challenge, yes, but a totally spiritual experience. I think the Avon Walk saying summarizes it beautifully: “For 2 days, we walk as one.” Over 3200 walkers, 500 crew, and countless supporters came together as one this weekend. Everywhere we went, people were laughing, crying, hugging, cheering, even singing . . . together. It was such an amazing outpouring of genuine, authentic love. My body may be questioning why I did this, but my heart and spirit know it was necessary for me to reconnect with humanity in this deep way.

Thank you all for your patience as I’ve been a little off my game this past month with all of the preparations that have gone into this experience. This is now part of my foundation, and I trust that it will help me to reconnect with you all of you even more deeply as I get back into my writing. With a heart overflowing with love, Namaste.

Just a quick check-in about what’s going on in my world . . .

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

It’s hard to believe that the walk is almost here! Next weekend, July 12th and 13th, I’ll be walking over 39 miles in San Francisco and Marin. Wow. What an absolutely incredible ride. I have met so many truly wonderful people — survivors, friends and family of survivors, others who have lost loved ones. While the walkers are phenomenal, I’ve been even more in awe of the crew, mostly husbands of walkers who provide water, snacks, entertainment, and rides for the injured, keeping the walkers happy, healthy, and safe. This whole experience shows you the softer side of people as total strangers hose you down on really hot days or stop you in the street to give you a few dollars. And the event is still to come! Be thinking of me next weekend and send me lots of love and good energy! As of this writing, I am at $2179 — only $21 shy of my goal. If you’d still like to donate, you can reach my personal page by clicking here.

I’m working!

Just a couple of days after my last “Notes from . . .” I had a lunch meeting that kicked off a conversation about my doing some work for the Hoffman Institute. I just wrapped up a database project for them this week and I’m officially starting my long-term contract work with them on Tuesday. Yay for steady income working with great people and for an absolutely fabulous organization. They’re well worth checking out — I can easily say that the Hoffman Quadrinity Process is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself, literally life-changing all in good ways.

4th of July escape

I’m super excited to be driving down to Los Angeles tomorrow where I will meet up with three good friends from college. We’re taking a mini-cruise to Mexico, essentially three nights and two days with a single stop in Ensenada. I’m looking forward to catching up, great conversations, putting my feet up, relaxing, and visiting a country I haven’t yet been to. While I’m sorry it is so short, if it had been longer we probably wouldn’t have been able to squeeze it into our busy schedules this summer, so mostly I’m just grateful.

So what’s new in your world? How are you treating yourself this summer? I’d love to hear all about the love and fun and flow happening in your life now. Namaste.