Those were the words recently spoken to me during a luscious on-line breath session.  
 
Soulmate. It’s often referring to that one-and-only true romantic match. Sometimes it’s used for a deep, inexplicable connection with another.  But when I heard that word this time, it hit me in an unusual and grand way.
 

 
I was surprised at who rushed in—a woman I had only talked to once, my grandmother, friends who are close to me, and ones I’ve lost contact with years ago.

There were also long-time beloveds, including my husband and sisters, and a couple newly birthed babies who I have not held, yet are already imbedded in my heart.

During that experience I felt the richness of life and love enfold me.  It was astonishing. It was beautiful. Everyone I’ve known became my soulmate.
 
So, my dear soulmate —

Who are the soulmates in your life?

And what makes them a soulmate, anyway?
 
And, get this, there are soulmates you haven’t even met yet!  What happens if you send those yet-to-meets a smile that reaches across time and space.
 
What could the world be like if we lived as if we were soulmates with everyone?
 
And how can I live that way today?
Now that would be something! 

With love to you,
Sharon 

Last week two friends from Colorado were here visiting Kenneth and me. I’ve known Sarah for over 30 years and our days together were wonderful, filled with so much yum—walks on postcard worthy beaches, refreshing ocean swims, rich conversations, heartfelt stories, special moments connecting with the land where I live, and lots of refreshing laughter. Their visit was good nourishment for my heart and soul.

 
Yesterday, when another friend asked how the visit went, I shared the joy and delight of it, and I also mentioned how I was ready to “get back into the flow of my days”.  
 
Pause here with me. What do you imagine when you read the word “flow”?  
 
Although you have a sense of my meaning from the context of my statement, can you truly know exactly what my flow is like? 
 
Naturally, “flow” has a unique meaning for each of us, and our personal meaning can morph and shift at any time. Metaphors are alive in us.  When we change, our metaphors change. And when our metaphors change, we change. 
 
Sometimes my flow is like a steady current that carries me along with little thought on my part. Other times it might be a meandering stream that invites me to stop and reflect or rest along the way. I’m often surprised at the varied ways flow shows up, in myself and also with clients.

Flow has been—

a beautiful scarf and floaty skirt
a gentle creek
a light breeze
a wild canyon river
a water faucet in a garden
a stream of sweet honey

Flow has even made her appearance as Flo, a waitress on stand-by with a coffee pot, offering a fill-up!

Beloved,

It always comes back around to remembering this—you are already an exquisite masterpiece.
 
I know, it’s easy to forget.  I also know it’s easy to remember.
 
I took that rainbow photo a few days ago.  It was the most extraordinary rainbow—so low, I could actually see where it’s light was landing on the water, a shimmering as it moved across the sea. It was the light that followed a dark morning rain.
 
Seeing that rainbow made me feel happy. Not ordinary happy, but a happy that was filled with awe and inspiration. That rainbow helped me remember. Masterpiece.
 
Like that rainbow, you are an utterly unique expression of light, too. Remember this.
 
And when you find yourself forgetting, simply notice the unique beauty that is close by. Just take a look in the mirror. Your light is right there waiting for you. Masterpiece.

With love, heartbreak and pleasure,
Sharon

Cultivating the Pleasure 
Through Your Hands

                
This practice is a gentle allowing for relaxed pleasure to arrive through your awareness of sensation.

You are taking action toward your own pleasure; waking up brain cells that will expand your ability to receive pleasure in all parts of your body. It develops the ability to consciously choose where you bring your attention.

This practice is not about an outcome or making something happen. There is no goal to reach. Practice for the experience itself, with curiosity and openness.

When we engage with this type of attention triggers and emotions may come up. Welcome whatever comes, gently meeting the edges of your discomfort where you can still soften into relaxation, not forcing or pushing through anything.
 
~*~*~*~* 
Here we go-

~Sit leaning back with your back supported and straight.

~ Put pillow on your lap so your hand is supported.

~ Take any household object and slowly explore it with the palm of one of your hands. Notice every detail the of the object. A variation of this is to use one hand to hold and move the object on the palm of the other hand. Explore both.

~ Your attention should be on the sensations in your hand and away from the story/description about the object.

~  Watching your hand can be helpful.

~ Move very slowly. When you think you are going slow see if you can move ½ that speed. At times come into stillness.

~ When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to the sensations in your hand.

~ Begin to notice pleasant sensations. Keep your attention on that area and see if you can feel the pleasure a little deeper. Notice if the pleasure begins to expand beyond the skin you are touching.

~ Welcome the sensations of pleasure. How much pleasure are you willing to feel in your hand?

~ Continue this touch until you feel your body shift into relaxation. Your breath will slow, and your muscles will soften.
 

Spend 5 – 10 minutes a day with this practice and notice the consequences. 

Explore the video resources on Betty’s website. Not only does she offer instruction for this practice; but also, the science behind it.   While you’re there check out her other free offerings. You’ll find a lot of great stuff.

I’m sitting on my terrace. There’s a gentle rain shower happening.  The sound of the rain is cozy and turns me inward. The perfect Solstice afternoon. I’m reminded there is no place to go.

A while ago, I came across this quote somewhere on social media:

There’s a stranger out there who still thinks of you because you were kind to them when they really needed it —
Never stop being that person.

Those words touched me with a sweetness as I remembered strangers whose momentary acts of kindness are permanently tucked into my heart —

A hug in the middle of a TSA line as I navigated the unexpected death of my brother. She said, “If a hug from a stranger would help, I’d like to give you one.”  I didn’t realize how much I needed that hug.

When it was clear I would not have a place on the night’s last flight from Phoenix to Durango, he said, “Take my seat on this flight.  I have a place where I can stay tonight.”  Relief and gratitude.

There were no words from the homeless fellow who’s smiling blue eyes had a glimmer that woke me up. I will never forget how his gaze spoke to my heart. Humble astonishment.

And oh, so many others.

But I had never stopped to ponder how, unbeknownst to me, I have a similar place in some stranger’s memory.  We don’t know when an unplanned moment meant the world to someone else.  We cannot manufacture those moments or those connections.  We can’t plan for them. But we can make room for them by being a kind presence in this wacky, unpredictable world. 

It’s not always easy, but I never want to stop being that person.

Remember, dear one, there’s a stranger who still thinks of you because you were kind to them when they needed it.

YOU are that person.

May you see the miracles that are right there, waiting for you.

With love,
Sharon