
Recently I took my mother on one of our regular picnics by the ocean where she lives, and we sat where the ocean meets the river between two popular beaches. There were dozens of men in a vast expanse of rapidly flowing turquoise coloured waves, with huge, colourful kites sailing above them. I say men because I failed to see a single woman, amongst them, perhaps because of the enormous strength it must take to hold on to and control such huge kites. However, all around us, lining the rocks on the shore edge, were women with children pointing and laughing with joy at the men they seemed to know and love.
Watching the kite surfers weave their way around each other to avoid entanglement was fascinating. My mother and I were both on the edge of our seats as they jumped over top of each other, or quickly changed course to avoid a crash. None of it seemed difficult and they seemed fully alive and in sync, like some sought of telepathic exchange was happening; not just with each other but with the elements beneath, above, and around them. Mum and I enjoyed it all immensely and were in awe of the flocks of birds that came in from time to time, daringly flying amongst the kites, dipping and weaving alongside. While all this was happening, the waves, the wind, and the current of the river was strong and powerful. It was a joyful and seriously buzzy time!
As I sat and watched, I couldn’t help but relate to myself, and my mother, what I was seeing to life matters. I reflected on how life is moving at a hectic pace for most of us these days as we weave our way around obstacles, avoiding entanglement, to get through one day to the next. With every one so busy we do well to be clever, certain, focused in our direction, and clear with our communication in its myriad of forms. Ideally we have the energy to jump over or quickly move around anything that attempts to stand in our way or sabotage our flow, and to completely change direction quickly if necessary. All the while, we are encouraged to be aware of the environment that holds us, and the natural elements that we never have power over, that could force a major diversion at any moment.
Watching the kites while deep in my reflection of this perfect metaphor for life in front of me, I felt guided to take some pictures with my mobile phone, and my mother laughed because I took so many. One after the other, from every angle I clicked and clicked, moved by the energy of what I was watching as if I too was kite surfing alongside these men. I felt something call me from above and began to photograph the sky, feeling like I needed to include it in the pictures. A knowing flashed through me that I may be in for some surprises when I had a chance to look at the pictures away from the bright sunlight.
When I downloaded the pictures that night I could see why the sky wanted to be included in the photos….The Cloud People were having a party! I decided to change the colour to sepia and boost it so it became clearer what was going on. There were smiling spirits everywhere! In the centre a huge eagle seemed to be flying through the cloud, and if you change focus slightly around the eagle, you can see several faces laughing; surely enjoying watching the kites and men at play below. In other shots there were wisps of clouds, which looked like birds in flight, scattered around the kites. Unfortunately the ‘real’ birds were too small to be seen, however the clouds kindly captured the essence of their spirit.
In reflection to the outing I had that day with my mother, what we witnessed and experienced that sunny, happy day was the joy of being in joy and complete flow and synchronicity with each other and all that is around us; looking at it this way, we can really begin to understand the power that comes with living in such a way. Not only does moving with the flow of life with complete awareness and instinctual energy assist us to move and readjust spontaneously, we begin to realize, with the Cloud Peoples' help, there is so much more happening around us if we only take the time to look around us and tune in further to nature and the spirit world.
The spirits come alive when we come alive. When we take time to relax and play, and fully express our gratitude, in union with the natural elements, and ourselves Nature comes fully alive around us. I have watched this happen in my healing circles in the bush when I hold ceremony or circles, or simply play my drum of flute in a natural environment. Without fail - the birds, the wind, and a myriad of insects and creep crawlies come to sing and celebrate with me. They really express their appreciation of me taking time to share my joy, and at times my sorrow, amongst them. It is almost like at these times our whole soul vibration awakens and we can actually ‘see and hear’ each other as one.
Becoming aware of and practicing Symbology, the study of symbols and signs can assist you to understand what naturally occurs within and around you, so you can deliberately set out to create more moments of joy, and willingly be guided on your way.
Most of all, thanks to the practice of symbology, what I am taking away from me from my study of the men and kites, and all that happened while I watched them with my mother, is the power and importance of celebrating life and playing in a vigorous way. We all need a tribe of likeminded people around us to remind us of who we are, and who will join their vibration with ours so that together we can reveal and allow the spirit of everything around and within us to be seen to celebrate with us. Further, there is no doubt that when I
smile, my ancestors smile with me.
To listen to my radio show on this topic go to:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thedifference/2013/09/11/living-in-joy-in-synchronicity-flow-with-heather-price
Tips for Bringing More Joy Into Your Life
1. Know and accept who you are and where you have come from,
keeping story gems in your trust box that remind you of how far
you have come.
2. Have and Attitude of Gratitude and Abundance, being thankful
for all your blessings, big and small.
3. Keep open mind and brave, resilient heart, letting go of anything
that limits the energy vibration of joy in your life.
4. Be present to yourelf and thoughts and energy.
5. Believe and trust in your dreams.
6. Accept the things you cannot change and be passionate and do
your best with what you have anyway.
7. Create loving kindness at every opportunity – smile.
8. Live vibrantly and aspire to and inspire spirited, living and
leading with joy.
9. Create a symbol that represents joy to you and post it
everywhere to remind you to live in joy always, and all ways.
What ideas do you have on creating joy? I would love for you to
post your ideas and comments here, or on my facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/shamanicpathandpractice
Thank you.