For a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

Today was a perfect day. 

I woke up to my mountain view. I call it my mountain because the journey to living in the mountains above Los Angeles was a long and circuitous one, but well worth it, so I claim these mountains I worked hard for, as my own. They're lush and green after deluges of rain, and they stand strong and steadfast. Every time I see them, I think of the Native American Proverb that bids us to, "Walk tall as the trees. Live strong as the mountains." These words empower me when I emerge into consciousness every brand new day.

I eased into stretch pants and took a one hour walk, a new path. Down Stone Gate Way and across the bridge with the stream, then up Tampa to the foot of my mountain, then home.

Home. I love that place. Do you? Sometimes you have to put in some work to love home, to design and reconfigure home into a home you love. For me, it was a process of peeling away conventions, cultural expectations, traditions, things I'd seen in magazines that experts said were cool. And as I backed away from the well worn path of opinions, there it was, deep down... my taste. Not fancy, quite simple and peaceful. My sense of home. So worth the dig.

Today was the day I would share my home with my Artist's Way group. After our 12-week journey together, it was our culminating meeting and first in-person gathering. It was our graduation celebration, we soon discovered more aptly named our commencement. Even though it stung to end our affirming, nurturing weekly virtual meetings, we knew that we had grown together in such a way that transformed us into empowered artists. At long last, we were now poised to embark on our own individual explosions of creative expression. The food was awesome; the energy, pure love. Our crew was not complete since a few of our hearts couldn't attend, but they were there in spirit; we could feel their unmistakable presence. One of the best things about being a conscious creative being is that you get to merge hearts with others just like you, who just. Feel. Awesome.

The conversation went from great to sublime. Maybe the most memorable moment for me, was what inspired our group leader to start the group in the first place. She accepted the call to break past her comfort zone, knowing that in community, she would be most likely to go the distance as an artist.  The group grew far beyond her expectations, but she didn't shrink back from what quickly grew into a formidable group to manage. She blossomed in the process, and what she couldn't have foreseen, was that she caused dozens of others to likewise experience a creative renaissance that is now resulting in magnificent music, art, performances, written works, and who-knows-what-else now being birthed into the world.

I asked her if her catalyzing such a creative movement was a one-time thing or does she perceive a continuing calling to bringing this about in other communities. She demurred. All she knew was that she was moved to create a safe place where creatives could be nurtured and grow. That told me volumes. Our Divine Creator, the one who created us and inspires us to create as well, saw in her a servant's heart, and didn't need her to do anything but be willing to be an instrument of blessing. We all sat silently for a moment, in awe of what remains to be seen. 

The Way of Mastery says, "The truth is true always." I believe this moment holds a universal truth for all of us. We may not know if we are being called to lead for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Maybe this will be revealed to us when we look back over the course of our lives. But if we just make it our mission to serve the world, we will be perfected through love, and the One who creates perfectly will make what we create, just perfect.

I'd love to hear from you. Please share in the comments... what would be your perfect day?