THE LITTLE SOUL AND THE SUN

I just had to share this video from Erica Herbert.  A must see.  Please watch.  It has opened my heart sooooo much, and I think it will for anyone who watches it.  A gift from an angel.

PEACE AND LOVE,

Laura of The Bohemian Collective

SOUL STIRRING // JONI MITCHELL

Almost every year around this time, I find myself putting Joni Mitchell's Blue album on without even thinking about it.  Something about the air turning colder, the hustle in the world about the holidays coming and the end of another season, brings me a feeling of longing, missing my mother and needing some calm space in my soul.  This album does just that for me.  It always brings me right back to my mom, the bittersweet longing I have in my heart to see her face to face again, but also the comfort she made me feel.  I love that music can have this human connection for our hearts, long after someone is gone.  

Joni was someone my mom loved to share with me.  She told me stories of how she sang 'River' to me when I was a baby, and it ironically became one of my favorite songs as I grew older and began to choose what I loved on my own.  Something about that song has always struck such a deep chord within me, as I know it did my mom too.  Which I why I have the lyrics, 'I wish I had a river I could skate away on' tattooed on my arm, wrapping around other imagery that reminds me of my mother's spirit.  The beautiful thing is I doubt any musician ever knows how deeply a song may touch someone's life, even so many years later.  It is a transcending art form that can evoke so many deep emotions that we sometimes don't even realize we have until the music brings it out in us.  That is art.

When my mother was dying of cancer, there came a time when she could no longer speak to us, or even focus her eyes to see us anymore.  It was such a hard time to physically watch her slip away from us like that.  There was a moment I was alone with her, and my words were not coming.  I wanted to talk to her, to let her know I was there, but I had no idea if she heard me or not.  I didn't know what to do, so I got the cd player and put on Joni's blue album.  When the song River came on, I sang it to her, just like she sang it to me when I was a baby, with tears streaming down my face.  Then, the next song on the album is 'A Case of You', another one of our mutual favorites that we would sing together all the time while we were working.  She opened her eyes and sang every single word with me, and then as soon as the song was over, she went back into her otherwordly state.  It was the most bittersweet moment I have ever experienced in my entire life, and most likely ever will.  A moment in time that this beautiful musician above, captivated one last bonding moment for me and my mother.  I will never forget it, and will always be grateful for the thread that music can weave between two souls, keeping us together long after we are made to part physically.  This is also true for people who are still alive, but can no longer be a part of your life.  There will always be songs, that the moment you hear them, you immediately feel a closeness or longing for that person.  It is magic, I truly believe.

   PEACE AND LOVE, Laura of The Bohemian Collective

WOMEN WHO RUN WITH THE WOLVES

Today Im here with a personal soul story.  Yesterday was like a spirit fate filled day for me.  It began a few weeks back when I first heard my friend Rain talk about the book Women Who Run With The Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.  I was intrigued with the words she shared from the excerpts.  Then throughout the weeks, I kept hearing little snippets of this book pop up in other ways.  It became apparent, I was suppose to behold this book in my life.  It was an instinctual feeling I had.  So I ordered it, and have been patiently (okay, not so patiently) awaiting its arrival.  Each day, making my way to the post office and leaving with a tinge of disappointment that it had not yet come.  Until yesterday.

Yesterday I awoke with the urge to drop all responsibilities and just dance on the earth.  That is what I felt inside my body.  But... I have a business to run, and I had already missed the day before because of my moontime... so that was a no.  I felt this longing in my bones all day though.  When it was time to run to the post office, I had already set myself up for knowing the book wouldnt arrive... but to my surprise, there it was, waiting for me, along with these beautiful handcrocheted dancing footies by Run With The Tribe.  A little treat I decided to splurge on just for myself, just with the intention to enjoy these last days of summer with bare, yet adorned feet, to dance and to hoop with.  

When I got home, I slipped them on my feet, and instantly felt like home.  Yes, little adornments really can do that for me.  And it just so happens that yesterday was the day my hubby was going to go to town to spend the evening with his best friend.  So... I knew I was going to have my sacred space all to myself for one evening.  Not that I wasnt going to miss my hubs, but I was inwardly excited to spend this time with no other than, myself.  Some really good one on one girl time.  

Once the aloneness set in, I excitedly grabbed my book and headed to my back porch, with a big ol' glass of water, and cozied up in the cushioned chair that over looks the trees.  There was a beautiful calm in the air, the birds weren't even around.  Just stillness.  When I am alone, I like to read outloud.  So, I began.  I didnt even flip through the book to see how long each section one, or read the titles of chapters... I just began, on page one.  I had no idea what would happen next.

With just the first few words, I found myself smiling and completely immersed.  And each page I turned, it grew deeper and more tangled, and I found myself screaming inside, YES, YES!  I could feel my heart beat with the words, I could feel my blood pumping, I could feel an ancient calling in the gentle wind, I could feel myself begin to peel a few layers of my soul back without even realizing it.  And at one point, I could feel myself welping up with tears inside, tears of utter thankfulness.  All I could think about was thanking my friend for showing me the way to this book.  I have never felt this way about a book before.  Never.  I love reading, and sometimes really really enjoy what I am reading, and feel at home in many pages of many books, but not like this.  This was different.

So, after reading the long, but encapturing intro, I came back inside to eat some dinner... Then I went out and hooped and danced in the moonlight for a bit... Then I found myself stirring for some more.  I drew myself a bath, lit some candles, poured in some of my favorite bath salts, and began again.  This time, I was in my most favorite element of all.  The candle light flickered against the window, pouring shadows across the walls that were dancing, just as I was breathing.  As I read, I watched the candle wax drop, and eventually pour into my bathwater.  And I read the first chapter, the first story, La Loba.  Again, I read outloud, and let the words engulf the room.  I felt as if I was reading to my children.  It was a strange but comforting feeling.  I cannot wait to pour myself into everypage that is left, and then most likely, read it all again.

The amazing thing is that as I started mentioning this book, after hearing about it from Rain, I was amazed at how many other women had been hearing about it recently as well, and how many women that I connect with, have already read it.  The book is 20 years old now, and its amazing to see something like this resurface itself in what feels like a little frenzy, among all the women I connect with online.  So much that one girl thought of starting an online group for it.  Wow.  I recommend, if you have not already read it, to go buy it.  I found mine on amazon for about $7.  Its one of those books that is so good, that I want to just keep it all for myself... but as it was given to me, I want to give to you.  This is one I should not feel selfish with, for everyone women in the world might find a piece of herself lying within these pages.  If you have read it, leave me a comment here telling me how you felt about it... What did it evoke in you?  What time in your life did you read it?  If it was long ago, do you want to re-read it?  

I am off to go gather bones...

PEACE AND LOVE,

Laura of The Bohemian Collective