Lucidesse - Inspiring Strokes of Genius

Hear me read the story which came to and thru me 4 years ago! I love this story. It's the path I've been asked to walk, breathe, live, die, renew... It's been tough. Both to write and to live. And perhaps, it's given me more changes to live than I realize.

This book has been brewing in me since 2020. Many people may call it a children's book because much of the story is told through the illustrations. I call it an eternal story. Life. Death. Regeneration - Renewal - Rebirth. In this episode, I give you the story behind the story, and in the next episode, I'll read it and share my very rough illustrations.

Every morning I spent time writing in the old-school style called Calligraphy. What came out of me was unexpected! And I found myself writing for longer and longer periods, just to see what I would write! Here's a bit of that wise, sometimes crazy, and always intriguing stuff. 

I didn't sign-up for ancestral healing, nor generational trauma, nor ancestral wisdom - instead, it came looking for me! Or maybe I should say, THEY came looking for me. (whatever THEY are!) This episode is me sharing a bit of my reluctant journey with the THEY who aren't what I thought, and never do what I want! :)

Here we have a silver needle, spools of colorful threads, and a sturdy thimble to guide them thru cloth. All of these are needed to create intricate designs. And I wonder, are they so different from Us?  Us: an eternal needle of awareness, spools of colorful thoughts, words, actions, and a thimble strong enough to guide them thru the intricate design of our lives. What can we learn from the ages-o...

This is my latest experience of a 10 day Vipassana meditation retreat - all done in silence. And although I've done many previous ones, this one taught me something very different...all of them do! That's why I continue :) ::: Music by: JuliusH from Pixabay

Why Lucidesse? Where did the word come from? What does it mean? And. Who is Lucidesse?! ::: Music by: JuliusH from Pixabay

This episode is me, telling of a dream I had,  a dream in which I awoke to the realization that I need to remain true to my True North, my inner compass, even as I'm pulled along by the Cosmic Winds. Which is a delicate balance of knowing and not knowing, and even unknowing. ::: Music by Onoychenkomusic on Pixabay.com "sense of time" Music by Kevin MacLeod

I am the new frontier of soul. I am steadfast in love. I am the creator of my life. I am living, breathing, dreaming love. I am a stroke by the hand of genius. I am whole, when alone or in company. I am the eternal witness. I am  content with the miracle of each day. I am more than I yet realize. I am blossoming into my dreams. I am the birthplace of joy. I am  beyond comparison. I am clarity and...

The horizons of my heart are infinite. I am woven by the threads of life, onto the loom of love. I shower others with love that I may know them, for who they are. Love never asks me to be less than I am. Love never asks me to be more than I am. Love requires two wings, one to give, and the other to receive. Love is free, so I let it go. Love is not synonymous with trust. Every story of love contai...

Sorrow is praise for what was, what is, and what will be. My sorrow is as great as my love. I appreciate all the ways I grieve. My pain is a signpost toward deeper truths. I do not rush the hurt and pain, I mature in my own time. I begin again, I begin again, I begin again. I parley with the sea of grief and return what is not mine. I heal myself, with the loving support of others. 

My partner and I are fun, playful and passionate. We activate the best in each other in order to live a meaningful life, Together. We love to share our inner worlds with each other, and in so doing, we cultivate the precious skill of ‘attunement through active listening’. We love intimacy in our communication and our love making. We are consistent with our kindness, in thoughts, words and deeds. W...

In making a big decision, I didn't see when and how Fear took control,,, until it was too late. I share what happened, and how I hope to reveal my hidden fears before they activate, and thereby control  my behaviors and decisions in ways I don't truly desire. ::: Music by: JuliusH from Pixabay

I Know My Essence. I know the truth of my essence, I know The depth and breadth of my essence. Even though my essence lies far beyond comprehension, I know. I know my essence. I know it is not my thoughts, not my speech, and certainly not my doings. My essence is far more simple than those. In fact, it is beyond any measurement which can be perceived. I am the being-ness of all that is. My essence...

Porcelain Lives is a memoir I began writing over 6 years ago. It was initially about caring for my father as he passed from Alzheimer's, learning to heal, forgive, love, and be loved, but it's grown into so much more. This is a chapter (not in order) from my unfinished book. ::: Music by: JuliusH from Pixabay

Porcelain Lives is the title of a memoir I began over 6 years ago. It was initially about caring for my father as he passed from Alzheimer's, learning to heal, forgive, love, and be loved, but it's grown into so much more. This is the first chapter of my unfinished book. ::: Music by: JuliusH from Pixabay

I DON'T KNOW. I never knew how powerful these words could be when used during times of change, to show me what I don't know, what I can't see, what I am unaware of. So, this episode is me practicing NOT KNOWING so that I can discover authentic roots to real life issues. ::: Music by: JuliusH from Pixabay

How do you care for the energetic egg you're hatching? Or tend to the energetic ember which will flame your dreams to life? I'm not sure...but I share what I've been doing in my life. Energetically. To hatch new eggs and light new flames! Happy Vernal Equinox, happy egg hatching and flame lighting! Ostara Goddess blessings to you! ::: Music by: JuliusH from Pixabay

Create expansion and beauty in all my relationships , that's what I want to do, BUT... What do I do when I realize I've been walking around with live wires of fear, pain and negativity??? I have no idea! I've begun to see (all too clearly!) how I have these live wires, and how they effect my relationships, with self, other, and Other. It is my hope that "speaking breaks the spe...

It's time for me to return to life. And love. And Joy. It's time for me to return to the fullness and wholeness of living. This book is helping me remember that every day is I get to practice life, practice the life I wish to live, and that even as I practice, it is full dress rehearsal, it is a performance, for there's no editing. Just gotta live. Practicing: A Musician's Retu...

I hope you believe. Believe you can do this, whatever THIS is for you. I hope you believe with all your heart that You can do this. I hope you hear. Hear the echo of your own footsteps as they follow your soul, as they lead you to become greater than you imagine, which is nothing less than all that you are. I hope you feel. Feel All the feels. The feels which Rumi calls visitors, visitors who come...

Soul Contracts. Soul Connections. Are they the same? Or do they each have/serve a separate purpose? This is what I muse and mumble about in this early morning podcast. It matters to me because I wish to focus on my Soul Contracts, while enjoying my Soul Connections. How do I balance the two with the finite time I have here as 'Shelly'? ::: Music by: JuliusH from Pixabay

When I set something down and take a break, walk away, learn other things, it's just like it was when I left it! Imagine you're knitting something and you set it down, well, it ain't gonna change! BUT...when I return, I HAVE CHANGED! And that, my dears, changes EVERYTHING. So, don't be disappointed when you do all the work and old things look the same... a little patience, fait...

I was given four things to create this story: a pocket watch, a toothpick, MMA fighting, and Onaga, Kansas.  What came out of this random is one of my FAVORITE stories ever. I hope you enjoy! ::: Music by: JuliusH from Pixabay