“Our True Self knows that there is no place to go or to get to. We are already at home – free and filled. Richard Rohr, in Immortal Diamond
My Pensacola apartment is cluttered this morning as I deconstruct in preparation for my move on July 1. I sit reflecting on the pleasures, connections and lessons of my seven month stay.
feeling at home
It has been a joy to have my own space after three years on the road. At the end of November, before I even arrived, my daughters moved in furniture from their own homes. I bought dishes and dishtowels, added plants and shopped for thrift store accessories in my favorite colors. The apartment is located in the historic area of Pensacola known as East Hill. The neighborhood park with old live oaks and a convenient bench has provided opportunities to walk, meditate, and meet neighbors. There is a little lending library nearby. Everyone is very friendly. My landlord, who lives next door, has often knocked on my door with camelias or roses to share. Having his dachshunds, Pippin and Molly, next door has been a real treat.
fun with Family
I had many opportunities to see my daughters and their families – including my three grandchildren. We celebrated Christmas, Mardi Gras and Easter together. Many Friday nights found us enjoying great restaurants, both in historic downtown and at the beach. We had visits from my sister from Alabama and my childhood friend from Virginia. I was able to tag along on spontaneous outings and activities. Great fun! My Mother’s Day gift was a fabulous sunset cruise on the bay.
a sense of community
I found inspiration, healing and deep friendships at Unity of Pensacola. I participated in two local Grandmother Circle’s and attended the Gulf Coast Grandmother’s Retreat at Camp Beckwith near Fairhope, Alabama. The last night we had to dress as something that we love. I wore my California map dressed up with journey photographs and images from my children’s book.
“The Gulf Coast Grandmothers is a collective of women of all ages, faiths and spiritual practices who embrace the archetype of the wise Grandmother. We gather yearly to reflect, rejoice and renew our spirit together, embodying unconditional acceptance, and exploring and fulfilling the ancient prophecy: “When the Grandmothers speak, the earth will heal.”
At the retreat and monthly grandmother’s circles members listen deeply as others share related to specific questions for the day. The questions in one circle related to mother-daughter relationships. At another we contemplated the meaning of “home” in our lives. Deep connections develop quickly when we are able to share in such a safe space. I look forward to reconnecting with these forever sister-friends when I come south next winter. The next retreat is March 22-25, 2018 near Fairhope, Alabama. Y’all come!
making a contribution
My time here has provided the support and space to put the finishing touches on Corey’s Peaceful Heart, my picture book that teaches the children’s version of HeartMath’s Quick Coherence Technique®. HeartMath describes the process:
Using the power of your heart to balance thoughts and emotions, you can achieve energy, mental clarity and feel better fast anywhere. Use Quick Coherence especially when you begin feeling a draining emotion such as frustration, irritation, anxiety or anger. Find a feeling of ease and inner harmony that’s reflected in more balanced heart rhythms, facilitating brain function and more access to higher intelligence.
Now that the book is finished and I feel like I understand a bit of the self-publishing process, I find myself launched into the unfamiliar worlds of book marketing and managing a business. I find myself continually letting go of thinking that I am responsible for making this happen. I keep breathing and saying, “I’m not in charge.” I can’t worry about how many books will sell or how fast I will recover my investment. I just intend to be an ambasador for Corey, letting him lead where he will, enjoying the ride knowing there is a plan that will support at every turn.
I’ve said all along that the angels are the marketers. I’m finding now that lots of human angels are appearing. Opportunities I couldn’t have imagined are opening for me to share Corey. Mary Enfinger, Licensed Unity Teacher and former pre-school teacher, invited me to read the story using a PowerPoint of the illustrations as the spiritual reading for her message on compassion. My new friends have been so supportive. They believe the Corey message will go out to make a difference in the world. On my seventeen day trip to Charlottesville, Virginia. In Richlands, Virginia, where my sister and niece live, I’ll be reading at the Richlands Public Library on July 6 – my 74th birthday. That’s a mighty nice birthday present! And, on July 16th, I’ll be sharing Corey and giving the message at Unity of the Seven Hills in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Corey is avialable for pre-order on Amazon on July 1 and will be officially released on August 8. Pre-orders contribute to ratings on in children’s books addressing emotions and feelings in the social issues catagory.
Thank you for your gift of following along on my journey for the last three years. I’m not yet sure how often in the future, I will be posting on this blog. You are welcome to learn more about Corey and sign up for the e-mail list on the Corey website (www.coreyspeacefulheart.com) or to follow the adventure by liking and sharing the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/coreyspeacefulheart).
As I head north to Virginia and beyond as a traveling author for the next 4-5 months I’m moving into a deeper level of letting go – a deeper level of trust. My own grateful, peaceful heart knows it is home wherever I am.
Here’s to your beautiful peaceful heart.
Judy
www.facebook.com/coreyspeacefulheart
Hi, I'm Judy Henry. What if we left the past behind? Home? Years of accumulated treasurers? Friends and family?
What would Spirit teach us if we stepped into the unknown and just trusted – one day at a time?
I’m on that kind of journey. I invite you to come along with me as we explore new ways of trusting, new ways of connecting, new ways of being – as we let go of accumulated problems, beliefs, and limitations to reveal our true selves and to discover why we are here.
You have an open invitation to come along. Check in when you have the time. Sign up to receive posts by e-mail, if you like. (I'll never share your e-mail.) Perhaps we may even meet in person somewhere along the way.