As a child I used to play with the wind with kites or even trying to fly with the help of a sheet. I still enjoy the wind as I watch pinwheels and kinetic art twirl. I enjoy watching the branches of trees sway and the sound of the leaves. Yet usually I enjoy wind through the window. I don't like the cool air across my neck or gusts in my ear and my hair gets swept up making it hard to see.
I continued to ponder my question all day and through the evening. How do I friend the wind? What is its message? I imagined standing face in the wind and just letting it blow over me until I felt a kinship and yet the wind was not available when I had the time.
Last night as I lay in bed feeling the lack of movement even as the fan blew, I wondered what I could do. I had a series of dreams last night that I can hardly recall yet mostly about people of my past, childhood, and death. I woke early and lay in the darkness. After a moment I realized I was holding my breath.
I took a long slow inhale in and all the sudden I could feel the cool breeze from the fan. I took another breath and the room that had seemed too hot suddenly felt comfortable as the air moved around me. It was not a friendship that needed forced after all. It was a friendship that needed allowed. By allowing myself to claim my space, my air, and just breathe in the moment, kinship was formed.
When I walked outside this morning to let the dogs out, there was still a part of me that felt the need to hunker down against the wind outside that may be cold. Instead I took a deep breath and walked out the door. My reward was a cool but not cold breeze and a whole flock of birds dancing on the wind! Gorgeous!
I'm grateful for this kinship. I'm grateful for the reminder to breathe. I'm grateful for the reminder that when I take care of myself, friendships can blossom. I'm grateful for the cool breeze and the warm weather. I'm grateful to know I am supported. And I'm grateful to see the beauty of nature all around me!
What elements are your favorite and which do you find more struggle? What are the elements telling you? What friendships can be formed today?
May today remind us the importance of breath. May we allow ourselves the inhale we deserve and may we exhale out anything no longer serving us. Have a beautiful day!