Where is everyone?

"Is it Safe to Come Out?"
16" x 20" Mixed Media Collage

On the day I'm authoring this post I have various combinations of personal family and friends either living and/or traveling in these places - Hong Kong, Thailand, Barcelona, France and Italy, as well as in FL, NY, TX, WA, HI, MN, CA, MO, WY, OK, GA - frankly those are all the places that I can think of at this moment.

One might assume that with all the news of tragedy in this world locally and abroad that we would hunker down close to home and make sure that none of our children or spouses ever left the nest.  But that's not the way life is.  We continue to move onward and out, exploring, stretching our borders  as well as our imaginations.  

It's amazing that we continue to move about freely even as our hearts jump when a global or stateside tragedy flashes across the news screen or internet - where are our peeps - our children, our sisters and brothers, our friends?  We count noses, we thank God, we breathe a sigh of relief that it is not our family that is personally involved in tragedy - but of course, because we have the global connection and internet and news coverage that we do, it is our family that sits in the rubble of Japan, that cries in the marketplace in Iraq, that trembles at the night time sounds of unknown enemies rummaging through rubble in Haiti and all over the world.  

We would go insane if we had to carry all the fear and burden of every single person in the world in our hearts.  We could not survive if we felt every loss of life as the losses we incur when someone very close to us dies - yet, the least we can do is to pray for those whose burdens this night are unbearable for them alone - pray that for some small instant they may be given hope or relief or courage in their sorrow.  Where is everyone and where should our prayers be directed this night?

Pilgrimage/Journey Ideas

Image via Wikipedia

Most of MindSieve's readers know that there's a big voyage for me beginning later this month.  In preparation, I've been reading fiction regarding the South Pacific, Michener, Melville, etc. and a book on pilgrimage mindfulness; being in the present moment, being conscious of the sacred that surrounds a traveler on the journey.

I'm currently pondering thoughts of some small, meaningful treasure that I will take along in my luggage to leave on each island that we visit.  Has to be non-harmful to the environment, not showy, ornate or obvious - just something that I will know I've left behind.  Any thoughts or brainy ideas that come into your head(s) regarding the item?  Have you left treasures as you've made especially meaningful journeys somewhere in your life?  I would love to hear about those treasures.

I'm planning to prepare several soul collage pages to fit in my new journal - pages that I'll "listen" to from time to time while we travel.  The journal - oh, yes, I have a new journal and of course, I have several books downloaded on my Kindle for those days at sea made for relaxed reading, napping, reading.   I'm wondering about a daily book of readings/devotions/contemplative writing for the trip.  I know that you readers have favorite "reads" that you use seasonally, yearly, daily and I'd love your suggestions about a small volume (I might just Kindle it).  So, please give this some thought and send me your list of favorites - there must be one out there that is just yearning for my attention.




Now, lest you think that I'm overworking this pilgrimage stuff, you're probably right.  On the other hand, the planning is so delightful and it seems to be putting a couple of my creative activities in gear - i.e. the writing and as it happens, the painting as well - so I'm letting the planning do its thing and I'm going along for the ride:)

Again, put on your thinking caps and send me a few thoughts about the treasures to be left behind and the volume of daily reading.......I look forward to the thoughts that come from you!

Photo - Wikipedia - Storm in the South Pacific

September 1 Countdown

Cover via Amazon

Countdown to what you might ask?  Well, three weeks from today we will depart on a long dreamed of cruise to the South Pacific.  We've refused to succumb to counting away the days but now with September 1 arriving we are preparing each day in fun and for us, interesting ways.

 For example - I finished my re-reads of James Michener's HAWAII and TALES OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC early this summer.   I'm now reading William Manchester's OUT OF DARKNESS ( see Country Parson today for that book's review:))  I'm also re-reading a fabulous book by Phil Cousineau entitled THE ART OF PILGRIMAGE.  Similar to the first time I read it, I've been intrigued from the first words of the Forward and marvel each day at what Cousineau has to say on the subject of travel and pilgrimage.  For example in the introduction he writes, and I quote:

"Within these chapters are stories, anecdotes, quotes, and vignettes interlaced with practical suggestions from travelers, artists, and pilgrims thoughout history.  Connecting these voices are a series of meditations or contemplations that suggest different ways to practice what pilgrims and poets and keenly perceptive travelers have done for centuries, to see with the "eyes of the heart," as the Sufis say, and transform the inevitable ordeals of of your journey into opportunities to learn something about yourself and the wide world around you." 

And a quote in the book from Mark Twain -  "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness."


So it goes in the beginning of my studies toward knowing more about the vast Pacific and yet another part of this globe that we will be visiting, sailing through, resting upon, etc.  I find these topics fascinating - maybe you'll like hearing about some of them also - particularly for ANY trip of consequence, I recommend the Cousineau book.  Anyone out there read anything of Mr. Cousineau's?

Piggy-Back Post....

Image via Wikipedia

Thursday of this week while reading from one of my favorite blogger's site, I came upon this quote from author, Phil Cousineau -

 " If we truly want to know the secret of soulful travel, we need to believe that there is something sacred waiting to be discovered in virtually every journey. "

I made note of the thought and was prompted to write my own post about journey;  I too have read Mr. Cousineau's book entitled "The Art of Pilgrimage," yet when approaching the subject I found the muse was content with what Lucy had to say about her upcoming travels and I decided to just, well to just - borrow/steal/piggy-back - yes, I seem to think piggy-back is the nicest term -  so please, to legitimate my piggy-back, visit Lucy's site and read her thoughts of travel, noting only that coincidentally, if there is such a thing as coincidence, we are leaving on the same day for extended travel adventures.  The difference being while she sits astride a stately camel in the midst of the dry, dry desert, I will be aboard a Holland America oceanliner visiting the South Pacific Ocean! The stories from both adventures, I'm hoping, will be entertaining, surprising and very worth sharing; I expect some of those tales will end up both at the MindSieve and at Lucy's favorite hangout.  

I know that both of us have great expectations for the beauty and mystery of both the desert and the ocean.  I'm confident neither of us will be disappointed.  The departure date is not for a few more weeks but we are anticipating the journeys with great expectations so the subject may surface here OR there again before the final liftoff!

Photo - Wikipedia, sunset over Pacific Ocean from space

Traveling at home and abroad

Those of you who visit the MindSieve regularly know that, I, often while reading a book unencountered before, quote the book here. Today is just such a case - once more from Joan Chittister's Wisdom Distilled from the Daily/Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today. Her words seem apropos to the posts I've written in the last couple of days about the wonder and joy of traveling in new places.

"Humility says that we must all learn to listen and to hear, to negotiate rather than to force, to trust rather than to terrorize, in both our neighborhoods and our nations.

When we learn to be aware of what is around us as well as in us, we begin to connect with the rest of the world in new ways."

SS Photo - View from the Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy

Not one, but not two

From Joan Chittister's book - Wisdom Distilled from the Daily/Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today -

"Just like the sun and its light, the ocean and the wave, the singer and the song. Not one. But not two."

Below, my own reflection and thanksgiving upon Sister Joan's words -

TRAVELING

Do we travel alone or with a myriad of passengers
Do we travel on the wave and the sea
On the wave and the sea with the moon's rays casting reflection on the night waters

Do we ourselves acknowledge the abundance and blessing of travel and leisure
Or that God and His Son travel beside us at the ship's rail
As the sea and the wave are one, as the moon and the light are one, but not two

In walking cobbled thoroughfares of Romans, Ephesians, Christians
Our steps on ancient paths cannot separate us from their footfalls
Rather remind us of our connection and mortality

We are not one, but many, not one but not two

SS Photos - Ephesus Ancient Cross and slow tourist season in Ephesus

Tour or Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage - a word used for centuries by seekers of spiritual fulfillment, curiosity, and yearning, although a word I had never necessarily attached to any particular part of my heretofore personal traveling - until last week when my spouse and I, along with a multitude of other eager and interested tourists, diverted from our Mediterranean cruise ships to the site on an Ephesus (Kusadasi, Turkey) hillside to the reputed last known home of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For some reason as our bus fell into the long line of others, I found myself thinking - "When is it that a journey touted as educational turns into something related more to a pilgrimage than to a tour?"

As the bus wedged into an already seemingly packed parking lot, I felt a little skeptical about the Apostle John's retreat to these hills with Jesus' Mother at his side; then as the tour guide reiterated John's plan to teach and the need for Mary's safety if the teachings were not eagerly embraced, I realized that those factors might have indeed led him to this isolated place. My heart seemed to beat a bit faster; the day was quickly progressing toward more pilgrimage than tour.

Approaching the small, stoned cottage of honor, perhaps 650 square feet in size, it stood out among the now silent throngs eager to pass through the doors, front and through to the back - steadily, reverently, yearning for more time, as if in the presence of something or someone holy. The reverence of the crowd at the mere possibility of this having been a sacred home was palpable. Amidst the bus fumes, souvenir hawkers, and sightseers out for a little history and an interesting tour, what a delight and gift to experience the silence and respect washing over the waiting lines of visitors, many just becoming aware of the blessing of their own unexpected pilgrimage to this place.

Too much fun

Image via Wikipedia

Eagerness and planning for a new and adventurous holiday is building in our home these days. The doggies are already noticing small stacks of clean and pressed clothing, as though offerings to the suitcase gods, laid out in the two front bedrooms. There's a lot of talk of "how long" and time zones and confirmations of "no smoking reservations." I'm beginning to think that the two of us enjoy the pre-trip excitement almost as much as the voyage itself! I don't know that my mind will wrap around too many serious thoughts this week for posting.......we'll see:) Who knows, Riley may have to speak up this week for me.......I'll see if he's up to it. ....I don't think he knows much about Greece's Santorini or Rome but that dog does surprise me occasionally with his input!

Bananas and wings.....

I know as well as you do that bananas grow on banana trees, somewhere, some time. Mostly though, with little thought or intention, bananas are grabbed up in bunches in the course of a busy grocery trip, or sliced up into yummy pieces for one's morning cereal. Encountering them at one's condo doorstep, green, sculpted and still hanging on the tree, it's time to pause, give a big sighhhh, and say, "Ah, it's Maui time!"

Photo - SS - Wings from Susanna's Sketchbook Project

Holiday travel and thanksgivings

In a crowded airport waiting area, I observe families plugged into Ipods, computer games, noise-cancellers and music oblivious to those around them; residing in their own space – e-mail, “necessary” cellphone calls. Watching one small boy, I am charmed by his rapt attention to a gameboy....he stops, digressing briefly to absentmindedly pick, examine, and eat that little booger tickling his nose. I find myself a little less charmed.

Parents with kids who are NOT plugged in explaining “soon we’ll be on the plane” and “remember what mommy promised?” I, wondering what the bribe is and if its charm will last for another 7 hours?

Young dads launch toddlers twirling and giggling into the air – toddlers loving it to the point of over-stimulation guaranteeing an exhausting, non-sleeping flight for child, parents and seat mates alike. (They probably won’t know the benefits of Benadryl or Dramamine until they are grandparents☺)

Relieving restlessness prior to boarding, waiting passengers scurry off to shops to add yet more items to backpacks, handbags, rollaboards, ….. purchasing neck pillows, books, magazines, gum, water, chips, Starbucks, Tully’s, burger and fries - items to be jammed into already bursting carryons.

Sitting in a jam-packed airport, anticipating an overbooked flight full of grumpy passengers, crying children, and a spouse who finds me impatient while he has perhaps forgotten what it means to travel on holidays, I count myself among the blessed to be hour by hour closer to beloved children and grandchildren and know what? I give thanks!