Adventures with Mom

Mom came into town and in order to spend some time with her I kidnapped her from the grand kids. We ran off to Cedar City for the Shakespearean Festival- a highlight of the summer. Macbeth, Kolob canyon, morning poolside at the hotel, and a lot of carbs is the cliff notes version of the great 27 hour escape. There is nothing like art to capture and teach great principles. What I love about Shakespeare tragedies are the lessons about dangerous vices that ultimately lead to pain and suffering. Pride, vanity, greed, anger, jealously, lust... The lesson is so clearly painted in such painful detail that it can at times be difficult to watch. But that is the power of the lesson- we see clearly the distinction between the road chosen and the "if only" road. So hopefully if ever in a similar situation when the road isn't so clear to us we can remember the "if only" and be better able to chose wisely.

In Kolob my mom made the comment that "this" is better than Disneyland. As much as I have a special place in my heart for Disneyland- she is right. The real wonders and magic of the earth are much better.

I LOVE climbing trees...

The stage- an outdoor theater- marvelous. And I didn't even get cold- although I had a blanket with me just in case.

Hanging out with Bill

FLOWER POWER

A few hikes this year have been plentiful in the wildflowers. Here are a few of my pictures.

JOY JOY JOY

With a title like that it seems like this should be a Christmas post. Well, I guess I feel like it's Christmas- actually I find Christmas a difficult holiday these last few years- so it is better than Christmas. What is making me so happy you ask... I am dancing! This week, 6 hours a day Mon-Fri with only a 15min break in the middle. Yikes! I auditioned for a concert on Sat and was given the gift and honor of being choosen for a piece that will be in a concert- next week. If you don't know the behind the scenes of putting a quality performance together- let me tell you- 1 week is insanity. But I find myself clinging to the edge of sanity frequently so I guess this is right up my alley. Hence the 6 hour grueling schedule. I am bruised, sore but very happy. I feel like a dancer again and that is my favorite way to feel. I may even have my picture in the Salt Lake Tribune on Sunday, there was a photo shoot today. I have been waiting for a chance to dance for a long time and I finally have one! So if you are so inclined you can come see me- Aug 26-28 at the Rose Wagner "Momentum". You can buy the tickets online at ArtTix.
Wish me luck!

thoughts from today's yoga instructor

Taking time to nurture yourself is a form of risk taking. It requires vulnerability. It is the counterpose to all the external activities and typical risks we take. Nurturing self is necessary for finding balance in life.

A Gift

I have come to terms with the fact that I do not have a great memory. Too many times in my life I've thought- I'll for sure remember/ never forget this... only to find by sad experience I end up wondering just what all those "I'll never forget" experiences were. Hence is why we are encouraged to keep a written record, especially of those things that are the most important. I wonder why it is our first instinct to groan at the idea of journal"ing" like it is some great burden or agenda being pushed upon us. The miracle of the gospel is... as I ponder the principles and even suggestions that are taught I have yet to discover any that ultimately isn't for my increased joy, satisfaction and peace in life. Why I find myself continually pushing against it at times really is baffling .

This week I have encountered a person, thoughts, and ideas that I do not want to lose into the abyss. The woman's name is Leah Cox. She is a member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. She came as a guest teacher for the RW summer workshop. I was able to take 3 mornings of dance classes from her this week off. At the end of the last dance class this morning all I could say to thank her and express my thoughts was "You are a Gift". Because that is truly what she is. She is a beautiful soul, dancer, and human. Her intellect is sharp, absorbing, clear and expressive. Some how I was left realizing dance is all at once more and less. What she asked/hoped we would take home is increased questioning. Questions I remember are- what is the source of the initiation of our movement- how can we explore/change it? muscles, bones, joints, distal, proximal, energetic, tangible, sequential, simultaneous, action based, contact, floor at mid plane... Understanding what all that means and how it applies to dance isn't what I am here to talk about. I just want those words for my own memory- because it means something to me. A big take home piece was putting the weight more in the middle of the foot and translating that to walking, leaping, jumping etc. Amazing to me that even after all these years I still trend to a "falling backwards" position-as is generally inherit to many people. But what I loved the most was the thoughts she shared in the open panel discussion after the free showing of the piece she set on the company. Rather than create a logical flow of thoughts I just want to lay down the snippets I wrote on the program for the concert that inspired me. Like snapshots or flashes of light.

Dance is simply the craft of the movement of bones and muscles.

Any good work of art must reflect US. (quote from Bill T. Jones)

I wish we would let go art being "good" or "bad" and just feel free to create for the joy of making something.

Art can bring tension- but are we able to rather than run from the tension -sit in it and learn about ourselves from the tension we are experiencing. Often the point of "the work" is to excite and therefore insight you.

Art can be difficult to receive when we enter with an expectation of what we want to experience.

Art exercises a portion of the spirit that makes us better. It expands us. As the creator or the receiver.
There is a power to creating art. We do not know what a simple idea can become. Often a great far reaching piece of art started with a small and simple idea.

It is a courageous person who dares to create and is willing to make the first strokes.

Why do we separate ourselves between "artists" and "others". Why can't my art inspire you to create your own- whether it is "good" or "bad".

Art is a force that brings people together and exposes you- new thoughts, understandings, insights.

Creation is an inherit human joy and right.

MY FAVORITE

The original definition of aesthetic from Greek is some thing that enlivens us. Anaesthetic is the opposite, something that deadens us. So why do we put so much attachments and qualifications to what is or is not aesthetic. It is simply something that enlivens us- that is going to be different for each person but not right or wrong, good or bad.

Thank you Leah for the joy of connecting and learning from a truly giving and open soul. It was inspiring not just because of the greatness of your words but because of the greatness of the sould behind the words. It was a gift to be expanded by your presence. Each life that touches our for good...

For Pete's Sake

I choose to believe that everyone has ghosts that they face. Their own personalized monsters in the closet- just like "Monsters Inc". I wonder if some learn to face their demons as children- getting so fed up being scared and bullied into the corner of their bed that they finally got up, opened the closet, turned on the light to find the light scared the shadows away and in truth there was nothing worth fearing to begin with. Having faced their fears and braved what was on the other side they found freedom from their ghosts and the key to face new ghosts that may come their way. But what about those that never found the strength to walk right up to their demons? And as a result, their closet begins to burst at the seams as life's process gathers new demons and fears because they never learned to open the door and shine the light on what was inside.
I believe-everyone has ghosts in the closet, no matter how good someone gets at facing their fears. Life constantly brings them- it is just a matter of whether you stay on top of your ghost problem or if you let them overpopulate by failure to deal with the problem. This I have decided. It must be, because, I cannot be the only one with ghosts. A "ghost" can take many forms- constant to metamorphosing, real tangible, to illusionary magician. Personally my ghosts are illusionists taking the form most commonly as thoughts. Constant stream of thoughts and stories about self. I find it frustrating that I have yet to shine sufficient light upon these monsters in the closet to find them no more in my life. I want to know- When do I grow up enough to not be afraid of the dark-whether or not there are demons, ghosts, monsters, or goblins in the closet?
But I suppose that is all in the process of life and in the process of learning to let go of trying to control life. The true "cure" is putting trust in higher powers. This -Faith-I believe is the key to "growing up"/ "losing the fear of the dark". And I believe that although there is much to conquer in life, if I learn how to shine "this" light in the closet I will finally see that there is and never was anything to truly fear.

Almost Caught Up

I'm not sure if anyone has noticed but this is my something like my 5th post for the day. I am desperately trying to get caught up. It has been an enjoyable morning of seeing the wonderful things I have done in the last couple of months. This post is simply an eclectic mix of the odds and ends that are left. Then in an hour or so I'm off to create new memories. Yellowstone with Emily! As much as I may belly ache about being single still.... There are a few perks-

First Hike of the Year

Awesome co-workers
Heather Hinz, Melissa Wilson (AKA miracle worker), and Me

Lake Blanche- yes there was plenty of snow to traverse to get there.

Over flowing spring run off

I can run but I can't hide

Why not have dinner in Wyoming?

Fun with chickens- and yes we hypnotized it.

The girls get together to celebrate Andrea's B-day.

I am so lucky to be such good friends with my sister-in-laws

UMMM... I love that girl

My movie date with Jacob!

And I really enjoyed "How to Train Your Dragon"