Up here in the Northeast Kingdom the tenacious grip of winter continues to hold us in its fierce grasp. Wind-blown snow piles itself into frozen dunes. It has been long and relentless. But sure enough, there’s always a fair number of folks moving about their business in shorts and light shirts. Now, that’s optimism – something we all can surely use.  But most of us are just plain worn out – given the onerous condition of our world, for which we are all called each day to do our part to hold the center in healing light.

Words are elusive when we try to grasp them and put them on paper, they slip away …. slip away.  I’ll see if I can find them another time, but not today.

(   some weeks later   )

The cold has given way. It’s mud season now. The sap is running and buds begin to swell. The world here, in this place, is redolent with the scents of thawing earth. Ah, at last – I’m on my bike once again. I visit the osprey nest checking if the male has shown up yet and is busy repairing and reconstructing the nest in anticipation of his mate’s arrival. Most likely, they are returning from South America riding the warming currents, feathering the airy wind, soaring . Will they recognize me? Will they welcome my energetic vigilance throughout the season? It heals broken places in my wounded heart to believe it is so. I hear subtle nuance of their calling when they see me riding toward them on the River Road.For me, this winter’s ” Going Within Time” has been brutal. It has been saturated with substantial isolation and ongoing engagements with hopelessness and despair. I find that this has been the situation for many of us. We are called to bear witness as the fires of ancient animosities are stoked.  Tenaciously, we hold each other close in our unified hearts. Where one of us stands all of us are gathered. And here now, in this moment, we are joined together in a Sacred Circle.  The poetry of the soul sings itself within our hearts.  What a gift to share.

I’ll begin to include the Falls in my bike route. Very soon now, with the lengthening light, the trout will begin their ancient journey returning to their source. I am thrilled to my core watching them dance upon and though the rushing water. Let us give ourselves to the joy of the burgeoning light. We choose this.

Abiding Peace,  Thank you, with Love and Gratitude

Carl