Morning Magic

It’s the sheen of the mirror-flat silver water flecked with soft pinks from the rising sun. In the calm water the dolphins’ daily march is recorded easily as they break the smooth expanse with their sensuous movement. They circle through the crescent bay each morning in search of breakfast.

It’s the glowing orange orb that crests the mountains across the water and colors the clouds vibrant breathtaking hues of orange, coral and pink. And the pelicans that glide effortlessly through the still air proving to be the true Masters of Flight.

It’s the 2000 terns that gather each summer to camp on the beach, their calls more incessant than any rooster, yet less shrill and somehow calming. It becomes a constant background noise the entire length of their month long stay.

It’s how when they are disturbed they rise as one through the air filling the sky so densely with small white bodies that the horizon monetarily disappears. Watching them there comes a moment that they synchronize in flight, moving and becoming as one. A change of direction, signaled only God knows how, and the mass of white becomes one of dark gray, only to reverse to white once again with yet another turn. How do they do that?!

It’s the calm of the morning air, filled with promise for a new day, bright and fresh. Looking down at the extreme low tide, the water’s edge filled with fisher-persons and a fisher-dog, who eagerly patrols the tide pools and often as not catches baby halibut or crabs himself.

It’s knowing that I have another day to celebrate Life, to share it with my beloved partner and our friends. And I thank the Earth and Sky, the Universe and all the Beings therein for all that has been and all the will be, but mostly – all that Is.

My gratitude is beyond measure~

Patterns

Patterns, repeated lines and shapes that create graceful harmony, large and small. The lines of sand sculpted by the wind. Waves gliding across the surface of the bay making their way to shore, graceful curving arcs, culminating in froth of a white water, over and over again. The lines of birds in flight, the radiating petals of a flower, the way whiskers sprout from the mussel of a pet. All patterns. We’re used to the ones that are obvious, stripes, paisley, polka dots, but what about the ones that appear subtly, quietly, lusciously? We live in a universe of patterns as a way to remind ourselves of numerous different things. Music has patterns: verse, stanza, verse, etc. It’s comfortable and makes it easy to participate should we so choose. (Ever notice how uncomfortable you might feel hearing music of a genre that does not follow recognizable patterns, like progressive jazz or traditional Asian?) Literature follows patterns; I am sure cinema does too. We like patterns because in repetition there is a known and there is a potential beauty in their respective forms. We learn by patterns, repetition, over and over. A baby learns to speak by hearing the sounds again and again, to walk, to love or to hate. That which we perpetuate becomes a pattern, and we become comfortable with it because we know it. The Universe allows us to choose what we want to create. There is no right or wrong in the eyes of the Infinite, just choices. That’s why if you want to create pain and suffering, it is allowed. But maybe your choice is different. Maybe that isn’t what you really want. Then take a moment to stop and look at what patterns are being reflected in your life. Are they telling you something different than what you say you want? The beauty of this place is that because I am more isolated if you will, more connected to the earth, I find I am delving deeper into me, seeing patterns of behavior that I have picked up throughout my life that do not serve me and certainly do not express Jill at all! Yet somewhere along the line I have accepted these behaviors as mine and have lived by these choices as if that was all I had. As I look, barriers and brick walls come tumbling down and I find all emotions come to the surface to be seen and felt. And in the end, it is all my choice. It’s up to me what I choose to proliferate, how to live and how to love. I choose unconditional love, unconditional expression, unconditional life. Shocking? At first it sure feels so. At times I feel myself going into ‘confusion’ to distract myself from whatever layer is being called to the surface to be seen. I feel the discomfort that arises with each new realization thereof, but I do not choose distractions, so I keep going in. I choose clarity, vibrancy, expression and love, pure love. I dive I into truth telling, not for the first time and it certainly won’t be the last, but to me patterns, however they show up, offer the incredible beauty of opening further! I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to appreciate each one and to release it, becoming better for the experience of having remembered Who I Am. Wind patterns, the layers of the cliff bluffs, water as it recedes from the beach causing the sand to gather in lines of grey from soft dove to charcoal. Morning cloud formations. The veining on the wings of the dragonflies that are in such abundance here. All so very precious, so close to my heart and soul. Expressions of what lies Within.     all photographs taken and copyrighted by author, Jill Mollenhauer 2007

Baja

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Baja

She is a woman, strong, silent, mysterious and filled with beauty. Her facets are many, like a diamond whose breathtaking brilliance has been forged deep within the bowls of the earth through tremendous force. If one were not willing to dig a little bit to search for her splendor, it could be overlooked.

She is not like the tropics, adorned with flowers, green and inviting. Her treasures are of a different nature. The woman who walks into a party dressed and made up is not her, for she would be the one simply clothed and scented by nature. Yet should you take her home, when she undresses and bares her true naked self she becomes a tigress. She wields passion like a sword, vocal and raw. If you dare to dance with her be prepared to be mesmerized by her depths, her movements and her song.

Her body is long and sinuous; her spine straight and strong. It harbors many secret spaces of devotion and magic and is ancient beyond measure. Her interior appears barren and without life, yet flora and fauna survive there that are found no where else on earth. Her lovers must be matched in their determination and devotion to discover her deeper layers.

She is surrounded on all sides save one by water- Earth’s most precious gift, and it teams with life. Her shores run the gamut from rocky inaccessible cliffs to inviting sandy beaches with everything in between. She celebrates life and throws death in your face at every turn lest you forget that death is a part of life, not it’s opposite.

I have accepted her invitation. I come to strip myself naked, to step forward and allow myself to radiate in my natural beauty and wealth. She and all her in habitants touch me deeply. Each time I leave her, the memory remains embedded in my soul and each time I return she welcomes me with open arms and challenges me to disrobe yet again.

She is a woman, proud, independent and beautiful. She is Baja.