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And Then, Poetry
ParentsPoetrySpiritual

And Then, Poetry

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. 
― Leonardo da Vinci

My Dad once said the problem with modern society is that people don’t read poetry anymore.  I don’t know if it’s true, but it gave me something to think about. Have we lost touch with that warm and expansive part of our hearts where deep feelings await expression? Dad was often seen balancing one of his hard bound classical treasures easily on one large hand, immersed in the world he loved.  How many times did he rise up to write?

Dad loved to write poetry too and once gathered together family poetry from generations past into a book for each of us kids. It inspired me to join the ranks of a long line of family poets, to allow words to tumble out through my own bulging veins.  Passion runs deep in the Bell clan.

So why am I talking about poetry? Because it captures the essence of our world, our human nature, and the boundless creativity inside each of us.  It speaks of passion and conflict, records history, sings songs,  inspires and informs, and is a calming respite from reality.  It’s an opening, a suggestion. It clears clouded thinking and gives space for a more balanced perspective. It is pure joy, and sometimes very funny.

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Joy
BooksFamilyParentsSpiritual

Joy

If it rains, put your ducky suit on and find some puddles. I don`t care how old you are!  Most kids can easily lock into joy. After all, their needs are likely met, and the worst problem of the day might be the mound of broccoli on their dinner plates.  If they’re lucky enough, they have parents who let them discover the world around them and explore their curious minds.  These kids tumble into bed each night exhausted from a full day of playing hard. They aren’t thinking about how happy they are when their little eyes slam shut, they just are.

But what about us grown-ups? How do we experience joy?  By that I mean, regularly enough for it to increase the serotonin levels in our brain so the slippery slope can’t gang up on us.  Are we resilient enough to find that elusive happiness? With the many demands for our time, energy and resources, are we dedicating time to the important task of following our bliss?

Our friend Miriam Webster defines joy this way:

    • the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires: DELIGHT
    • the expression or exhibition of such emotion : GAIETY
    • a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS
  • a source or cause of delight

A happy and satisfied life is about discovering joy, all the delight, gaiety, bliss and satisfaction possible. I think Miriam did a good job defining the word joy, but really, it’s more of a feeling than a word. How would one put words to that feeling?  Each of us could have a go at describing what joy feels like.  We can`t help but raise our vibration by that simple act.

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MEET SHEA

MEET SHEA

Author
If I was going to describe myself in one word, I would say creative. I love to write poetry and stories, garden, bead, draw, and study spiritual philosophy. If I keep these in my life, my inner artist and the seeker in me just hum. Only my kids and grandkids fill my heart more, and for that, there are really no words.

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Aphrodite offered up 3 ripe figs today, and along Aphrodite offered up 3 ripe figs today, and along with a sweet peach, I made a spectacular dessert topped with some creamy Gorgonzola. #figs #peaches #gorgonzola. I do love a cheesy and fruity treat.
Barely recognizable, this bumble bee is wearing a Barely recognizable, this bumble bee is wearing a coat of pollen. #bumblebee #roseofsharon #pollen #feedthebees #pollinators
A swath of gloriousness greeted me this morning as A swath of gloriousness greeted me this morning as I headed for the patch to collect some nourishment for breakfast.  Life is good, but I will miss the back forty.  Soon, figs. #roseofsharon #blueberries #patiogardening #summerbounty is worth the wait.
A very happy birthday Sammy! Your second as a mam A very happy birthday Sammy!  Your second as a mama.  Well done.  Xo @sdobo
For dinner….thank you @yasminkhanstories . Every For dinner….thank you @yasminkhanstories . Everyone needs her book Ripe Figs, especially if you love eastern Mediterranean cooking as much as I do. And maybe some grilled figs and goat cheese for dessert?  Perfect. Also thanks to my friend @sandysuto for recommending the dish. #prawns #saganaki #figs #goatcheese
A fine week included great friends, delicious home A fine week included great friends, delicious home made meals, swimming, hilarious bridge games, and a smidge of port on the beach watching the full Buck moon illuminate the seal snuffling and snorting in water. Feeling fortunate and more in love with nature than ever.  #buckmoon #friends #bridge #swimming #songbirds #dreaming #simpleisbest
Sunset over paradise. Tonight the full moon, beach Sunset over paradise. Tonight the full moon, beaching again later.  Let’s see what comes up I can say goodbye to. #fullmoon #chill and #release . @karenmerkas @vernainsta #peace
Life is no longer innocent. One might say even va Life is no longer innocent.  One might say even valuable.  6 more souls lost in Illinois today in an insane act of domestic terrorism.  Biden needs to declare a state of emergency, and in honor of this tragedy, fireworks need to be cancelled tonight everywhere. Instead gather for change. Let’s have silence and remember.  Collective action makes a difference. #presidentbiden #kamalaharris #cnn #dosomething #nancypelosi #msnbc
Handing in my shovel after the garlic harvest. A Handing in my shovel after the garlic harvest.  A trowel is all I need when I move at the end of summer. It’s been a grand 17 years at The Dial.  Sea Park Estates here I come. That said I have excellent shovel skills if anyone needs help. #moving #gardener #freedom #newdigs #newadventures #bestlife
Best line of the day. Elderly woman, confused and Best line of the day. Elderly woman, confused and perhaps a little hard of hearing, is in emerge being checked in.  The nurse asked her, quite loudly, if she has any allergies.  At alto voce she replied “yes, treadmills”. Then she went into a protracted explanation as to what it does to her.  Egad, sweetheart, will be there one day myself, but am going to copy that little gem! #er #sweethearts #stories #bitesoflife #allergictoexercise
Cleared the table and did the dishes after Bubbie’s birthday party, unprompted, their parents must be very proud. #granddaughters #helpers #appreciated #solucky
My favourite new cook book just there on the shelf My favourite new cook book just there on the shelf with others specially selected. I do love #pcc . @yasminkhanstories #realfood
Thank you, I’ll take one of everything! #pcc #ve Thank you, I’ll take one of everything! #pcc #veg #fresh #eatyourveggies
Today I was grocery shopping and the store was bus Today I was grocery shopping and the store was busy. I stood facing the shelves, my back to a nice family, when the force of a greeting roared past my ears.  It seemed to be for me, so I turned to meet the smiling eyes of an 8 or 9 yr old girl desperately wanting me to notice her pink roller skates.  Of course I immediately and enthusiastically appreciated how wonderful her skates were.  This unleashed a long explanation of how hard it is to push a buggy with roller skates on, to which I replied “that is great exercise!” She wholeheartedly agreed, and our brief and delightful exchange concluded satisfactorily. Receiving a beaming smile from this lovely girl notched up my vibrations considerably. #grateful for our #kids #thankful
My first rhubarb haul. ThankYs Ding @dobodonna for My first rhubarb haul. ThankYs Ding @dobodonna for the roots. Can’t wait to stew it up.  Maybe a #strawberry and #rhubarb crostata?  Better get some ice cream. #summerbounty
Why not be delighted. “Everything is always work Why not be delighted. “Everything is always working out for me”. Life in the flow is much happier when not trying to control outcomes. #intheflow #hakunamatata #dowhatyoucan then #letgo
What happens when a 7 year old gets a sewing kit a What happens when a 7 year old gets a sewing kit and a bag of fabric pieces for her birthday. Designed by Viv, hand sewn by Jamma and Viv. 4 fittings and 5 hours later she had a new dress for her party. My own creative spirit was singing. #sewing #granddaughter #creativity #nopattern #solucky
The red maple is doing her thing. What a glorious The red maple is doing her thing.  What a glorious day out with ma. #redmaple #spring #deepbreath
Omg. Can’t move now! I told the installer my D Omg.  Can’t move now!  I told the installer my Dad would approve of his workmanship. Thank you @doors_galore_bc .  Don’t try to do this yourself people. And Galway through my elderly neighbour stopped as one of her tires was low.  He filled and balanced them all with a smile on his face and went back to work #newdoors #doorsgalore .  Now to sell.
Parting is such sweet sorrow, but Brodie went to a Parting is such sweet sorrow, but Brodie went to a lovely family in Richmond. Over all, parting with stuff for the move is much easier than I thought it would be. #makespace #declutter #passalong . My future will be much clearer.

ps Great townhouse for sale here!
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