by June | Sep 22, 2017 | Blogposts
Have you ever met or been confronted by Self-Doubt Mountain? Have you ever thought there was something … a particular situation … a new technique or learning … a certain time in your life you couldn’t “get-through”?
A few hours before my husband Hans died last summer, he said “Don’t ever forget – you are stronger and more resilient than you think you are.” His words held me up during this past year, reminding me that I have faced Self-Doubt Mountain in the past and survived; teaching me that I will face Self-Doubt Mountain in the future and will survive.
Hans was a wonderful artist and was looking forward to working in acrylic
but he died before he could begin. So in his memory, I decided to see what I could do with the acrylic paints. But Self-Doubt Mountain was in front of me. Again.
I was going to donate Hans’ acrylic paints, but when I remembered Hans’ words, possibilities emerged. I googled ‘acrylic painting’ and before I knew it, I was in the Studio playing with acrylics and having fun!
When I challenged myself a bit further, I entered my first acrylic painting in our local exhibition and was gobsmacked when I learned I had won first prize in the acrylic division. When Self-Doubt Mountain surfaces
… and it will … this experience will also come to my mind and when it does
may Self-Doubt Mountain lose. Again.
© June Maffin
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by June | Sep 20, 2017 | Blogposts
“How has your day been?” he asked. A simple question (not the typical “How are you” that usually elicits an inauthentic response). She answered – honestly. “It’s been a really shitty and sad day. My friend died today and I’m really sad.” Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks.
He was quiet while checking items through the till, then told her he was sorry for her loss and said “I lost my mom last month.” They shared “one-of-those-moments” together and spoke of the importance of “enjoying every moment with those we love and making the most of this thing called life.”
Picking up the bag of groceries she noticed a bouquet of flowers tucked inside. “Oh, these aren’t mine.” “Yes. They are for YOU.” “WHAT?” “They’re for you. I’m sorry about your friend. The flowers are for you.” The woman in line behind her began to quietly cry. A tear rolled down his face. Tears rolled down her face.
At the human-level, they were strangers. At the soul-level, they were friends. As she walked through tree-lined neighbourhoods tears gently flowing down her cheeks, she was mindful of an encounter with the Holy Presence of a fellow sojourner on Planet Earth. His name was Joe.
When she got home and unwrapped the flowers, she realized they were orange Gerbera daisies … her favourite flower and colour. Joe may not have known the difference he made that day, but my friend did. Joe made a difference in her life and brought healing and hope.
When we listen to another … truly listen with our ears, our eyes, our minds, our heart, we *can* make a difference in the life of another. The Joe’s of this world exist. They give us hope that people can be kind. They remind us that we all share a common humanity. They teach us that everyone has the power-within, to be someone’s “Joe.”
Photos and Text © June Maffin
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by June | Sep 15, 2017 | Blogposts
Stories. We all have them On a drive one afternoon in rural Ontario, the no-longer-existing fence with its tall weeds and grass wildly growing all around caught my eye and led my attention to the farmhouse waaaaaay off in the distance. I wondered what stories the building could tell. Stories of a time when it stood tall and erect, provided shelter, watched children romp and laugh and grow, watched adults become elders and move on
That was long ago. Now the farmhouse is beginning to tilt to one side and before long it will be a relic. One day, we too will be like the old farmhous. Let us not wait to remember and share our stories. Stories of long ago. Stories we are experiencing now. Stories to learn from. Stories to laugh about. Stories to cry over. Stories to celebrate. Stories we would like to forget. Stories of our childhood and youth. Stories of our travels. Stories of spiritual awareness. Stories of our mistakes. Stories of our successes. Stories of our loves. Stories of our sad times. Stories of our difficult times. Stories of our survival. Stories of personal growth. Stories of when we thrived. Stories of self-care or lack thereof.
We all have stories, but when we die they die with us, unless we share our stories. Now is the time to journal, blog, speak our stories into a tape recorder so those who follow can one day remember and say … “oh the stories!”
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by June | Sep 10, 2017 | Blogposts
As I stepped out of the car to take this photo, the bird appeared on the beach, the sun began to set, and a transcendent peace seemed to enfold me. It was a quiet moment, a gentle experience of Love, and I wondered “what will Tomorrow bring?” Not just tomorrow or the next day, but the Tomorrow of when we die.
Many who have died and been brought back to life, speak of feelings of peace, gentleness, a Love that transcended any love they’d ever experienced before. My mother was such a person. Fearful of death before her experience with death-before-Death, such an experience changed her forever and then she lived her remaining years, unafraid, and in anticipation of the peace, gentleness and Love she believed awaited her when her sun set for the final time.
When tragedy happens and people perish, when accidents happen and people die, when illness happens and people succumb, my mother’s experience comforts me.
What will Tomorrow bring for me? for you? for all who have gone: those known to us – those unknown to us. May they – may we rest in a peace that passes understanding … rest in a gentleness beyond comprehension … rest in a Love that is inexplicable. May peace, gentleness, Love be what Tomorrow will bring.
Photo and Text © June Maffin
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by June | Sep 6, 2017 | Blogposts
“J’ai peur.”
“I’m scared.”
As hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, fires make their way islands, homes, businesses, animals, people, “J’ai peur … I’m scared” are words that are heard.
As politicians make unwise decisions which could lead to civil unrest and perhaps war, “J’ai peur … I’m scared” are words that are spoken.
What to do in the midst of experiencing fear that “gut-wrenching, can’t explain, keep-me-awake” type of fear?
I wish I had the definitive answer.
Sometimes admitting our fear to ourself/another is helpful. Sometimes it helps to focus on slowly breathing “in” saying/thinking/whispering/praying the word ‘peace’ as we inhale and saying/thinking/whispering/praying the word ‘fear’ as we exhale can help. Sometimes it helps to “create” something – in the kitchen, garden, shop, studio, on the computer, in our Journal … can help. Sometimes repeating Dame Julian of Norwich’s words: “All shall be well. All shall be well. And all manner of thing shall be well” can help (and using our breath to say them … inhale and say “all shall be well”; exhale “all shall be well”; inhale “and all manner of thing”; exhale “shall be well.”
And sometimes … nothing we do seems to help.
The feelings of helplessness, abandonment, lack of control overwhelm us.
Our breathing becomes shallow.
Our heart races.
Our mind won’t stop thinking.
At such times I take comfort in the reality that somewhere in the world, someone is experiencing a spiritual oasis bymeditating; inviting peace for others; sitting cross-legged and chanting; saying the Rosary; receiving Communion; reciting the Shema; praying the Daily Office; thinking / sending / praying / whispering good thoughts; holding those experiencing fear in their heart, mind and spirit
… and I am comforted.
Because of our common humanity, regardless of our religious or spiritual belief, I know that am not alone.
To all in the path of fury of Mother Nature, or in the path of the pandemic or that path of politicians out of control, may you be comforted.
You are not alone.
It may feel like you are
but you are not.
In some way, at some level, we are connected.
To all in the path of fury of human nature, may you be comforted.
You are not alone.
I may fell like you are
but you are not.
We are connected.
In some way, at some level, we are connected
… connected by the intangible essence of compassion, empathy, prayer, love.
Our humanity.
It’s okay to admit our fear in spoken and written word.
Admitting our fear helps move it out of the darkness
and the power fear wields over us is no longer as strong as it was
even a moment ago when fear was boxed-up inside us.
It’s okay to admit “I’m afraid. J’ai peur.”
I
Photo and Text © June Maffin
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by June | Aug 29, 2017 | Blogposts
It’s easy to point fingers and blame. It’s easy to mock and ridicule someone who is different. It’s easy to harass and bully those unable to defend themselves. It’s easy to pick up a gun to settle an argument. These may be ‘easy’ – but they are not only ‘not right’, they lead to more finger-pointing, blame, mocking, ridiculing, harassment, bullying and even murder.
In Texas and Louisiana … something is happened. The rain continued and waters rose. People were trapped in their homes. Will they get rescued? And, by whom? People *were* being rescued … by professionals and ordinary citizens alike. Rescuers didn’t ask “Are you an American?” “Do you believe what I believe when it comes to politics?” “Are you a Christian?”
They’re helping. They’re reaching-out. They’re expressing love … by their selfless actions … by their compassion … by their concern … by their prayers and kind thoughts. People are recognizing the true essence of what it means to be human.
© June Maffin (photo & text)
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Photos and Text © June Maffin
