No one can possibly feel what we feel, the way we feel it. That’s what makes us unique, individual and often alone. Our experience and perception is solely ours for the feeling and exploration. – Kazi

As I write the above passage, winds are pressing loudly against my window. I look out on a day attempting to be sunny and bright, but struggling, as clouds laden heavy with rain are frequently blown across the face of the sun.

I love the sound of wind as it meets with obstacle upon its path. The lulling, whispering and swooshing as it tangos with a tree, causing leaves to shake wildly with excitement. If it were not for obstacle it would be difficult to hear its elemental existence.

I have a habit of taking to the bush or rainforest on wild windy days, for like the rain, wind reveals a whole other darker, wilder side of nature. That same nature that rests within each of us.

Obstacle in the path of wind make fully its existence known. Just as the things we perceive as obstacle fully reveal our own existence and potential.

It is interesting to experiment with obstacle as a tool for development and growth. If we train ourselves to exercise the discipline to approach obstacle with appreciation and acceptance, we are able to transcend our problems, replacing crisis with opportunity and growth.

Purely from choice we are able to make a decision on how it is we will experience and perceive our world. That which we once perceived as obstacle can become, just as it is for wind, the very thing that allows us to resonate our unique and individual sound to the world.

The winds are ushering in an Australian autumn, one of my favourite seasons. I’m fortunate to live near by a large salt water lake which I walk around daily. I enjoy observing the changing colours of day and early evening, reflected on its vast surface.

After my walk I take time to sit quietly and observe the bird life, including a magnificent population of large black swans who feast greedily on thick wild reeds. I particularly enjoy watching baby birds learning how to navigate the strong currents which can sometimes blow fiercely across the open waters. It reminds me of myself when I’m endeavoring to undertake or learn a new skill. Their gracious persistence reminds me to be patient with myself during the process- learn to walk before I fly!

I love the shamanic relationship I have with my environment and grateful that I have reached a stage in my life where my mind in willing to move slow enough to observe the detail in life: tiny jewel like grains of sand, intricate patterns on broken shells, fluffy cloud formations all hold meaning for me, even if I don’t fully understand the significance in that moment, there is an energetic resonance between me and environment that takes effect and I drink it with my Soul.

The simple act of observation is nourishing, healing and powerful. Best of all its free for those who care to slow down and enjoy it. Shifting our vision in this way is expansive and invites the intuitive guidance of our Soul into being. Soul centered we are able to dance in harmonious unison with our beautiful planet.

Outside the conditions have become much wilder and the wind has gathered to its power, strength and speed. The trees look as though they are dancing. Flexibility allows them to bend and move with grace. Branches that have become rigid, snap and crash to the forest floor. It is a simple reminder to keep my mind and body flexible and I make a mental note to do some meditation and stretching this afternoon, for I have known in my past, what it is like to lay broken and motionless from inflexibility.

But my mind is eager for the nourishment of stillness now, it does not wait for the afternoon and I feel my thoughts automatically slowing down. With quiet mind my awareness turns toward the sound of wind. As if in harmony with my thoughts the wind begins to slow and soften, until it becomes a soothing lull.

I imagine myself as a feather gliding freely upon the wind. I feel myself gently rise and fall, spin and twirl according to its currents. In the stillness I contemplate the energy and freedom of wind- it cannot be caught, contained or held, it cannot be tamed or controlled, it has the power to move at will with decisive force or gentle lull.

It’s an easy meditation that evokes a sense of freedom for my spirit … and in that freedom I feel a deep resonance with peace.

Ancient Spiritual traditions remind us that each moment of the day, we make the choice to either affirm or deny our lives.
Every second, we choose to nourish ourselves in a way that support or depletes our lives, to breathe deep and life-affirming breaths or shallow, life-denying ones, and in a manner that is honoring or dishonoring.” ~ Gregg Braden

Life is a reflection of the choices we have made. Every moment of the day we stand at the point of choice. We determine how we want to perceive a situation, what we want to believe and what we will not accept.

How we respond to life, what we make of life is a collaboration of hundreds, thousands even millions of little choices we make through out our day. Although we often are unaware of choices we are making, all choice is ours alone. The life we want is within our power. It is within our reach.

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