I awoke this morning, on New Year’s Day, with a heart full of hope. Last year was brimming with new possibilities and the year ahead brings with it so many adventures and invitations to dance on the edges of things, I am absolutely dizzy with anticipation.
In a most ordinary moment, I was taking sweet Tune for her morning walk today, when as I returned a flock of pigeons took flight across the street. A fairly common occurrence in the heart of the city, and yet this morning I had this transcendent moment where I felt myself lifted with them, my breath stopped, heart taking flight, and I knew right then this was my symbol for the year ahead.
A moment later I turned toward the front door of my building and found a feather on my doorstep. A sacred gift from above, from beyond, from within. No matter its origin, its destination is my altar.
Seeing those wings swoop up and down, I joined them. I knew myself to be both of the earth and of the sky, felt it in my bones and across my skin.
So tell me dear readers:
What is the symbol that carries you forward into the year ahead?
(c) Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts