Creating Space | Celebrating life through personal ceremony

Dark of Solstice

By Jovanna | Published: December 16, 2016

Candle

Here is a poem to usher you through this powerful time of the Winter Solstice.

Blessing for the Longest Night
All throughout these months
as the shadows
have lengthened,
this blessing has been
gathering itself,
making ready,
preparing for
this night.

It has practiced
walking in the dark,
traveling with
its eyes closed,
feeling its way
by memory
by touch
by the pull of the moon
even as it wanes.

So believe me
when I tell you
this blessing will
reach you
even if you
have not light enough
to read it;
it will find you
even though you cannot
see it coming.

You will know
the moment of its
arriving
by your release
of the breath
you have held
so long;
a loosening
of the clenching
in your hands,
of the clutch
around your heart;
a thinning
of the darkness
that had drawn itself
around you.

This blessing
does not mean
to take the night away
but it knows
its hidden roads,
knows the resting spots
along the path,
knows what it means
to travel
in the company
of a friend.

So when
this blessing comes,
take its hand.
Get up.
Set out on the road
you cannot see.

This is the night
when you can trust
that any direction
you go,
you will be walking
toward the dawn.
—Jan Richardson

Take some time one evening this week to sit in the darkness in quiet contemplation and then strike a match and light a candle to welcome the coming of the light.

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World a Glisten

By Jovanna | Published: December 9, 2016

Winter

Although I’m not a fan of the many months of cold weather, I willingly enter the season with a sense of awe.There is nothing quite as beautiful as watching the world outside begin to swirl white with snow for the first time each winter.

Last night the world was a glisten with this wonder of nature.

How about a celebration!

Let’s read Mary Oliver’s poem, “The First Snow”. Read it several times but don’t try to understand each and every word. Let the poem swirl around you. Take it in with a sense of wonder.

The First Snow

The snow
began here
this morning and all day
continued, its white
rhetoric everywhere
calling us back to why, how,
whence such beauty and what
the meaning; such
an oracular fever! flowing
past windows, an energy it seemed
would never ebb, never settle
less than lovely! and only now,
deep into night,
it has finally ended.
The silence
is immense,
and the heavens still hold
a million candles, nowhere
the familiar things:
stars, the moon,
the darkness we expect
and nightly turn from. Trees
glitter like castles
of ribbons, the broad fields
smolder with light, a passing
creek bed lies
heaped with shining hills;
and though the questions
that have assailed us all day
remain — not a single
answer has been found –
walking out now
into the silence and the light
under the trees,
and through the fields,
feels like one.
~Mary Oliver~

Sometimes the answers come from unexpected places.

Take the time to notice when the world is all a glisten.

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Shower Love

By Jovanna | Published: December 2, 2016

To You!

Anticipating the birth of a baby is a perfect time to bring family and friends together in a meaningful celebration. When going through one of life’s big changes, people long for connection where important words are spoken and love is shared.

When I was planning a baby shower with a new “mom to be” she said, “I’m looking forward to spending time with all the women of my family in an intimate gathering. I would be happy to just have their company, blessings and advice!”

We kept it simple. Everyone brought something delectable to contribute to our sit down lunch. The table was adorned with a single bouquet of roses. Our lunch was paired with lively conversation about parties, new loves and plans for the upcoming holidays.

We bonded by sharing a meal and conversation.

After lunch we cleared the dishes and one by one as seasoned mothers and “aunties”, we offered sage advice (we chose one of us as scribe). Some of the tidbits were, “learn to receive help, now is not the time to do it all by yourself”, “find ways that you can rely on to keep your spirits bright, you will be tested to the limit”, “don’t expect your husband to anticipate your needs, he is not wearing your shoes, be direct about what you need”, “learn a lullaby that you can sing by heart, one that soothes the baby and you at the same time”.

The new “mom to be” took our words to heart and then asked our opinion about various things she had been pondering.

We connected by offering our wisdom.

Next, rather than give her individual gifts, we pooled our money (each of us chose how much to give) and presented it to her as a creatively wrapped gift with a card from all of us suggesting she purchase just what she wanted after all the hand me downs and registry gifts were received.

A practical gift given in a heartfelt way was just perfect.

Finally, I led a ritual I call “Circle of Love” where we formed a circle around the “mom to be” and one by one as the spirit moved us, we whispered words of love like, “joy”, “care”, “contentment”, “tranquility” and “compassion”.

We created a warm memory for her to carry into the dark nights ahead when she’ll be awake with her new baby.

Shower your life with love. Take the time to create moments of connection that nurture and sustain.

Posted in new beginnings, transitions | Comments closed

No Regrets

By Jovanna | Published: November 25, 2016

Flower

There are so many times in our daily lives when it feels as though we’ve said or done something we shouldn’t have or we’ve failed to do or say something that we should have. When we reflect on our past there are times when we are not proud of the person we have been.

Knowing that we cannot turn back time to make amends can lead to the feeling of regret.

I want to tell you about a simple practice that has amazing benefit. It is drawn from the ancient ritual of Ho’oponopono. (Pronounce it by brushing over the first few syllables and lingering on the pono pono, “ho-o-pono-pono”.) It means “to make things right.”

Originally it included an entire family’s participation in a process that was used to explore and resolve problems and reach reconciliation. Isn’t that beautiful?

The more I read about it, the more fascinated I become by the richness of this ancient tradition, in particular it’s teaching about our deep connection to one another. It teaches that what we see (and often don’t like) in others is actually a mirrored version of ourselves. And that our responsibility rather than trying to change another is to heal the worlds wounds by healing what looks like their wounds but is actually our own wounds (and theirs too because we’re all connected).

It’s actually more mind bending than I am able to put into words right now but suffice it to say that what you see is not always “out there”. And the way to change what seems to be “out there” can only happen by changing yourself. How exciting!

This simplified version of the Ho ‘oponopono practice is easy to access by those who have not been initiated into the ancient teachings.

In the moment when you feel regret, disappointment, or any other challenging emotion beginning to move in, say these words out loud to yourself…

“I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.”

Such simple words when spoken with the intention of compassion are a healing balm.

By saying the words in a time of personal need you clear hurt with love, forgiveness and gratitude, and you increase your capacity to be present in the world. The words break up old patterns and help you find a place of freedom a place where you can see and act more clearly.

See for yourself. Try it right now. Say, “I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.”

Let these simple words bring you to a place that is free.

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Candles at Dusk

By Jovanna | Published: November 18, 2016

kinder-morgan-vigil

Having lived on the Puget Sound for 10 years, I’m deeply connected to the west coast. I’ve felt the nourishment of walking along the sandy rock lined shore and paddled through the glistening kelp beds.

Because of this, it was easy for me to say “Yes!” last week when I was invited to create a community ceremony for a vigil in Peterborough to bear witness to a crucial decision that Prime Minister Trudeau is about to make. A decision whether or not to stop construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline project in British Colombia, with oil that would be shipped across those waters.

When our small group got together to plan we were all in agreement that this was not going to be an “us against them” experience. We wanted a meaningful gathering of connection with a focus on supporting our leader to take higher ground.

When I plan a ceremony it usually “comes to me” in slices as I’m falling asleep at night or first awakening in the morning, when I’m outside walking or pausing to drink a cup of tea or during a conversation. Inspirations always come when I go to the land where the ceremony will be held.

Last night, at dusk, I went to the park where the vigil will be held. I imagined where we will stand, the candles that we’ll place around a fountain, the gestures that will connect us in community.

With the cool weather and wind that is forecast to accompany us on Monday, it is sure to be a meaningful shared experience. You are welcome to come in body or in spirit!

Candlelight Vigil

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Lions and Tigers and Bears

By Jovanna | Published: November 11, 2016

Wizard of Oz
My life this week has been filled with contrasts.

On the one hand, I’ve been immersed in fun as I accompany my dog to play practice. Yes, I said my dog! Daisy is playing “Toto” in a community production of “The Wizard of Oz”.

We have delighted in her ability to bond with the cast members, young and old and to be comfortable in all the commotion. And there is certainly a lot…”lions and tigers and bears, oh no”!

I encourage everyone in Peterborough to go and enjoy the “joie de vivre” (carefree enjoyment of living) by taking in the costumes, music and dancing and of course how expertly Daisy is in playing Toto. It is guaranteed to delight!

On the other hand, I have been deeply disturbed by the divisiveness evidenced during the elections in country of my birth. I have been stunned and have looked to other’s words of wisdom to move through this time.

Thank you Erin for offering the steadying words of Francis Weller.., “The task of a mature human being is to hold grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and allow oneself to be stretched large by them.” Such richness…

And thank you Shirley for offering a healing balm in Wendell Berry’s wise words.

Moss

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life
and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water,
and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives
with forethought of grief.
I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light.
For a time I rest in the grace of the world,
and am free.

Wendell Berry

My wish for you this week is an awareness of your heart stretched wide as you experience the contrasts of life on this beautiful planet.

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Beautiful Moments…

By Jovanna | Published: November 4, 2016

sunset

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the number of moments that take our breath away.”

Let these words by our wise friend Anonymous serve as a guidepost as you move through your life this week.

I encourage you to ask yourself this question, “What am I doing to create space in my life and within myself to experience moments that take my breath away”?

Let your breath be your guide.

Next time you notice something beautiful or something that feels good, take one conscious breath.

Thoroughly take in the delight and linger in the deliciousness of the moment.

Creating space for a beautiful life is that easy.

I encourage you to try a few of these simple practices.

Listen to the rain falling or the creek flowing.
Feel the sun on your face.
Focus on the beauty of a flower.
Close your eyes and recall the details of a special memory.
Watch your child play or sleep.
Stand in front of the mirror and look into your eyes with love and compassion.
Read a poem out loud. Then read it again.
Bow down and touch the earth.
Gaze at the moon.

My wish for you is a week infused with the spaciousness of beautiful moments.

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A Blaze of Colour

By Jovanna | Published: October 28, 2016

Leaf

The trees have been showing me just how beautiful letting go can be.
Look at them. They are leaving the sweetness of summer and entering a time of dormancy, how do they express that…in a blaze of colour!

Leaves

What is it that you need to let go of? Look to the trees for inspiration.

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This is the best!

By Jovanna | Published: October 21, 2016

Tree

Yesterday morning I walked past a tree that was so beautiful in the early morning light that it took my breath away. The sun kissed orange leaves glowed and made the sky look bluer than blue.

In that moment all my cares fell away and I was whole.

Here’s a poem that says it all.

Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn
A cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.
If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,
This is the best season of your life.
Wu-men

Enjoy the moments!

Posted in nature, Uncategorized | Comments closed

When life gets intense…

By Jovanna | Published: October 14, 2016

Mom
I spent last week visiting my mom in Iowa as she celebrated her 93rd birthday. Although she is (finally) beginning to slow down, her mind is crystal clear and my siblings and I felt fortunate to have some time together with her.

My brother flew in from the east coast, my sister flew in from the west coast and I flew in from Ontario. We usually see each other only once a year and it was intense at times staying in small quarters for the week.

Thankfully when I was in need, ever present nature nourished me with inspiration and the support of steady ground.

On the way to Iowa, I looked out the plane window and wondered what jewels I would encounter during my family visit.

Airplane

When my sister and I went outside the airport to find some grass to lie down on while we awaited our brother’s arrival, we looked up to see a monarch flitting and fluttering reminding us of life’s magic.

Monarch