Realizing contentment

I've discovered
that no matter where in the world you go
a favorite cup of tea
a comfortable place to sit
a moment to yourself
are all that you need
for ongoing
contentment and peace

Not sure!

This blog in particular is a small bucket of musings, some pieces of vulnerability I've been compelled to post at times, and other miscellaneous items.  Deciding on the direction.

There is poetry in the heart

And now for tomorrow.

A homework assignment, proven valuable.
Here goes:

Jessica Maynard
Bio and Acu explanatory
Business Management I
Summer 2010

Jessica grew up in the beautiful city of Madison, WI, home of three natural lakes, amazing bike routes, and one of the most fabulous farmers markets in the country. There, she became intimately familiar with the beauty of the changing seasons and learned to endure long, harsh winters. After moving with her family to Bloomington, IN, where she attended Indiana University, graduating with a history and Spanish degree in 1999, she found her way out to the magnificent pine tree, ocean, and cascadia-bound city of Portland, OR in 2001. In Portland she has enjoyed a cyclic route to the path of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. She has waitressed, carpentered, taught gymnastics, and provided interpreting services for latino patients in western medical settings. Finding her way through college courses in chemistry and biochemistry at Portland State University, she found her feet landing on a path to the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, from which she graduated in 2011, a decade after landing in PDX. Her excitement for this medicine is bountiful. Her commitment to your health and wellbeing is unlimited. She is excited to meet you and discuss your health concerns and goals for healing in this city, and in this world. Welcome!

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a complex and beautiful way of tapping into a person’s healing network. Referred to as the meridian,or channel, system in Chinese medicine, a type of energy called Qi flows freely and harmoniously when a person is in a condition of optimal health. Blockages in the flow can cause mild to severe health issues. By encouraging these channels to reorder and reset through applying very fine needles(the main tool of the acupuncturist)to specific points on the body, healing occurs and the patient is able to achieve the health we all are capable of experiencing. Other methods of therapy in Chinese medicine include moxibustion, cupping, and gua sha, medicinal herbs, and herbal formulas.

Finding Resonance

I began a journal entry and it turned into this poem last night, and I felt it deeply. I wonder if others can see its message and would feel it too.

My wish/desire,

simultaneous diametric opposition:

I wish to be better.

And I wish to be less hard on myself.

My embarrassments run aplenty,

harsh criticism of my own actions run deep.

My light shines.

I am raven.

How perfect is my imperfection.

Accepting once and ever again until no more~

delight shadows a bright encounter.

Where does the curtain close, yet open?

How do I continue

in trenches

and in trepidation?

The warrior simply does not listen. (for that is how he/she conquers fear)

The warrior is still.

My warrior fights on.

Kicking, stepping, defeating.

Tripping.

Falling

Alight, on toes and

dancing.

The fire in my core taps into sunlight,

today not clouds.

Still, where does one find that bootstrap,

the face to fight again

(the reset button)

the noteworthy to no one but yourself--

that I have made it this far.

And on I go. And I will do it all.

Again

and again.

A Release....

Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Almost There. Where?

I have to admit to frustration.

I am here on the eve of an ensuing week of finals. In fact, It's Saturday night. I'll be studying with a friend tonight. (With beer in hand, mind you!)
I have worked so hard this fall. I don't think I knew before that I was capable of this, of what I have accomplished, all at once, within the past few months. I didn't know.
Ok, ok. I am proud of myself. I remained calm and collected, not too stressed but in moments. There were times when I would have liked to keep up on things more precisely, would have liked to feel 'on top' of things, but you know, just to get a little...well...that's not what life is about. Life is not about being/feeling 'on top' of things. It's about being with them.
Does that make sense?
It's not about being in control. It's about dancing. Catch and release. Allowing intention to mix with randomness and to feel blanketed by the good in it all.

But why am I frustrated? with such wisdom a-bounty why would one be so shortsighted?

You know what, it's that I haven't cooked a really good, healthy meal in ages. I'm not kidding. I eat, don't get me wrong. I find fast and easy frozen things or things in boxes...see? I don't even call it food. I eat things. AAAARrrh.

This is why I spent my twenties (ok. part of the reason why--we can talk philosophy and the phenomenon of the late bloomer some other day, hopefully in person) floating in quasi-unemployment, poor as all get out, part-time whatever whatever (I can't count the jobs I've held in Portland on both hands), part time enraptured in, in love with.....time!!! I used to cook so much, I used to bake all day, I would share all the lovely food with my roommates at the time and with people we would have over for dinner. I loved the food I ate. It nourished me.

And tonight I made some TJ's rice and threw in some corn, and both were out of a plastic bag that I pulled out of my freezer. And I sat here and ate it while I began to type this post and it was fine. I've got things to do.

I want to cook a sustainable, local, nourishing, delicious meal. Not only because the food is good for you, but because so is the cooking.

That's why I am frustrated. I have not the time at the moment. But soon. Almost.....there.