Take It Or Leave It...

  Even if you do not believe that signs can be sent as a personal message, you have to admit that there are some pretty incredible sightings.  Orbs in photographs, a white feather floating down from the sky when no bird is in sight and cardinals visiting on the windowsill are all explained as "signs" from beyond.  If you do not believe..fine..go on about your business and brush these things off as nothing.  To my way of thinking, if it brings comfort, then by all means...believe!  Why not?  Life can be pretty crazy and, occasionally, we all need to have something that tells us we are not alone. 

  A few days back, my brain was cluttered with a thousand things.  The mind was troubled with events surrounding the Bayou.  The turmoil would go into a slight lull only to return with a vengeance.  It is not like me to lie awake at night pondering what might be as I have always had full trust that my life was being handled by a stronger power than I possess.  Granddaddy had once told me that each day of my life had already been planned and I should simply strive to do the best with what was given.  It had always worked like a charm.  That said, I sure have been having a lot of sleepless night lately as my brain just cannot seem to let go of the anxiety.  (A few weeks ago, a conversation with a snake helped tremendously but was not lasting!  Yes, I talk to the critters of the Bayou.)  

  After one such sleepless night, I headed to my peaceful place.  The waters of the Bayou and Bay always seem to have a positive effect on my troubled mind.  To the east, heavy clouds hung close to the horizon promising a stormy day ahead.  I was all for that as a good storm clears the mind.  After twenty minutes or so of meditation (good for the mind) and stretches (good for the body), I turned to head back up the hillside.  It was then that I saw a reassuring sign that all was going to work out for the best.  The thick clouds had lurched up as if two hands were forming a heart.  A clearing in the middle held the only bit of brightness in the entire sky.  A sign?

  I have always been told that the heart is the center of physical and spiritual being.  It is where compassion and understanding begin and where true wisdom originates.  (Not to be confused with knowledge, here.)  Anyone can be fed information and retain it but true wisdom is knowing how to apply that information in the everyday life.  In short, you can be smart but not wise.  My spiritual wisdom seemed to be shaken to its core and, to retain my peace, I have to restore it.  Spiritual wisdom is not something that can be taken for granted.  It has to be maintained.  I am fully coming to believe this is all true more than I ever expected.    

  Whether the heart-shaped cloud could be considered a sign or not remains to be seen.  Since that morning, the nights have been more restful, however.  Peace...it is good for the body, mind and spirit.