Something Like a Bird, Within Her Sang
We biked over to Fairfax a couple Saturdays ago. There was a festival going on so a lot of the good spots for locking the bikes were already full (we didn’t know they were offering a free bike valet at the festival – I love Marin!) Finally we chose a sign post at the edge of a small parking area and, while locking up, both noticed a cement plaque of sorts in the ground. Jeph called it a “hippie memorial” because there were some shiny beads and crystals around it. As we started to examine it, we noticed roses carved all around the edge and “Saying Thank You For A Real Good Time” inscribed in the center. I started to get “a feeling” and asked Jeph if maybe it was a Grateful Dead tribute. He confirmed that yes that phrase is from a Dead song. A couple stopped by and confirmed that it was a memorial to Jerry Garcia. I shared with all of them the coincidence of having Dead songs running through my head all week, choosing that spot to lock the bikes, then happening upon the memorial. They added to that coincidence the facts that his birth date was six days prior and the day he passed away was in two days. It started to feel like more than a coincidence.
Jeph and I were both both pretty serious Dead Heads, both went to quite a few shows (long before we knew each other), and still enjoy the music. Something about being in Marin has put that music in my head on a regular basis – Jerry used to walk these streets, Bob Weir still lives around here (maybe others…) As I’ve requested that Jeph play some of the songs I’ve been hearing, some I don’t even know the names of, and really listened to the lyrics (and/or looked them up), some of those words have been really moving.
One that’s in steady rotation in my mind is Bird Song. I had to hum it and sing the one line I knew then Jeph looked it up for me. It’s kind of interesting because apparently it was never part of a studio album they recorded, just played live. I wonder if I ever heard/saw it live?…The tune (by Jerry) and the lyrics (written by Robert Hunter) are just beautiful:
All I know is something like a bird
within her sang
All I know she sang a little while
and then flew on
Tell me all that you know
I’ll show you
Snow and rain
If you hear that same sweet song again
will you know why?
Anyone who sings a tune so sweet
is passing by:
Laugh in the sunshine
sing
cry in the dark
fly
through the night
Don’t cry now
Don’t you cry
Don’t you cry
anymore
lalalada
Sleep
in the stars
don’t you cry
dry your eyes
on the wind
lalalala
la……..
There’s so much guidance and inspiration I get from the simplicity of that song. Like a good poem or piece of visual art, much of the power and resonance comes from the spaces between the words/sounds/lines/colors.
What it means to me
- Birds – as a whole, they are definitely power animals for me. J and I have both always payed attention to them and, since making our “bird film” their power has become stronger in my life (and Jeph’s too). Their songs and calls symbolize the songs and stories we all have within us and the ability to express ourselves.
- Snow and Rain – I’ve been through it, baby and will always have a piece of New Hampshire winter in my heart/soul/body. They are both stark and dark, cleansing and renewing. They help us find those “spaces in between” – the stillness and emptiness that lets us expand and evolve. I’ve had my share of snow (and cold) and am happy to embrace the milder, yet still cleansing/renewing, rains of Marin.
- Sunshine – it does make me laugh, and smile, sing, and dance. It makes me healthy and happy. It is healing and energizing. Amen for its abundance here in Marin.
- Cry in the dark; Don’t cry now- It’s a good release. It’s the yin to the yang of laughing/smiling. Sometimes they flow through us at the same time. By Letting It Out (the sadness, sorrow, suffering, pain, and challenges of life), we make space (back to that theme – I guess we never left!) for the sunlight.
- Sleep in the stars; Dry your eyes on the wind – The beauty, majesty, and power of the dark sky and bright stars and planets above us. I am (we are) able to see them and really connect with them out here in the country, away from the big city lights. They do help me sleep; they’re like a cozy blanket that surrounds me in dream land. And the fresh country air, it helps me to really breathe – deeply and fully. It’s hard to get stuck in sadness/tears when you really breathe and recognize the gift of that air. It reminds you of the beauty and power of life, sadness and tears included.
If you’re not familiar with Bird Song, or haven’t heard it for awhile, I recommend giving a listen.
Related Posts
Falling Down, Waking Up
Yesterday I fell down, and it hurt. But it also woke me up a little bit, and that’s a good thing. J and I were on a Sunday bike ride, tooling through downtown and as we passed the First Presbyterian Church, we both remembered, at the same time apparently, that I wanted some photos of the church bells – because they’re cool looking and I want to paint them. So, J crossed 5th Ave to get some up-close shots and I pulled over to the other side, thinking we would get shots from there. Once I realized he was across the street, I put my foot out to balance on the edge of the sidewalk and wait for him. But, apparently I misjudged where the sidewalk ended, my foot missed it and kept going down (the road dipped down), I lost my balance, and went down with it, landing on my wrist, ankle, and hip. It was a split second of traveling down, reacting, landing, regaining focus, and realizing I was OK, just a little sore. I wiggled out from under my bike, checked out the damage – just a little scuff on my ankle and palm and a sore wrist and hip – paused for a moment to regain breath and balance, then pulled myself up, dusted myself off, and assured J (and the nice older couple passing by in a car who asked if I needed help) that I was fine.
I recognized it as a teachable moment – teaching myself: Pay Attention, Be Focused and Present. It immediately brought to mind one of my favorite pieces of life guidance, as taught by Baron Baptiste:
We are either Now Here or No Where
The choice, as always, is ours. We can either choose to be really, fully Now and Here, or, by not actively choosing, we are somewhere else and, therefor, missing out on the power of Now and Here.
I believe this is one of the most simple, yet profound, lessons of human existence. We are born fully present in the Now and Here and exist, naturally in the moment, as babies and young children. But, as we develop, gradually our attention is pulled away to the past (memories) and future (desires/anticipations/plans.) So, as with many of life’s greatest lessons, we can re-teach ourselves, through awareness, and practice.
The Universe is there to assist us in awakening (enlightening) and uses a variety of tools and methods. Sometimes a little tough love, like falling down onto the sidewalk (I liken it to a zen master whacking a disciple), is big help. Just prior to the fall, I was distracted by a cool looking building and, not being Aware of what was in front of/below me, ran over a pretty deep manhole which could have thrown me from the bike. I thank the Universe for choosing a gentler teaching moment and I commit to living in the Now and Here with Awareness.
Another element of this lesson is that it happened while looking at the church bells. I see the bells as a symbol of spirituality, faith, the path of connecting with our true self and the higher powers of the universe. And I see my falling down, while looking at them, as a lesson that in order to learn and grow spiritually, we need to slow down and focus. First Presbyterian follows a Christian path, and refers to that universal power as “God”, which is not my chosen path (much more on that later), but from the writings on their website, I like the open-mindededness and, open-heartededness of their approach and will close with a quote from their site. I really, really like this reminder that the direction/guidance/answers we seek can be found Within. That is one of the best reasons to be fully present in the Now and Here: this moment is where we can connect to that infinitely wise and abundant inner power – our true self.
The guidance one seeks in spiritual direction comes…from the wisdom inherent in the seeker. Most of us have not been taught that we have within ourselves an “inner compass” of wisdom which will leads us into a life that is harmonious with God’s desires; that leads to creativity, peace and communion with God, self and others. As we learn to trust the “true North” of that interior compass, a sense of being companioned from within by One who loves us unconditionally is gradually strengthened.
Related Posts
The Workspace I/We Have Been Wanting
Recently I wrote about the *free* desk that Jeph and I happened upon while out on a Sunday bike ride. I had been envisioning something very, very similar to what we found. It’s a perfect second desk/workspace and something we totally needed.
Now that is pretty cool. That is clearly Manifestation – The Law of Attraction – at work. I understand how that energy flow works, and have seen it born out in my life, usually subtly. And now I am learning (as is Jeph) that as our visions become more clear, our intention more focused, and our energy more open and strong, we attract and allow more of what we desire into our life.
I’m truly grateful for these gifts and feel strongly that they are meant to be worked with, to create and do good work, and to share with the world around me. This is not about Me or Us – it’s about learning and connecting. So, for example, we intend to do a lot of positive creating at this workspace.
The most interesting element of this whole experience is that when that particular bike route popped into my consciousness, I had a strange feeling. It’s kind of hard to describe but it was like a “flash”, or “twinkle”, or “wave” that made me think (I say “think” but it was midway between the conscious and sub-conscious) that maybe we would find something free on our ride. I believe that was a foreshadow of synchronicity and, having experienced it, I will be Awake and Aware for it’s positive potential in my life.
Here is an applicable quote from Abraham-Hicks, a daily source of Wisdom and Guidance for me:
Law of Attraction says, “That which is like unto itself is drawn.” Vibrations are always matched. So, as you experience the contrast which inspires the new desire, this new desire, whether it is a strong one or a soft one, is summoning unto itself proportionately. And as it summons, it is always answered. It is the basis of our Universe: When it is asked, it is always given. Humans think they are asking with their words, or even with their action, and sometimes you are, but the Universe is not responding to your words or your action. The Universe is responding to your vibrational calling.
— Abraham
I have a lot of other examples of synchronicity/manifestation/abundance to share and will keep them coming.
Related Posts
No related posts.
