Michele Lee Sefton's Blog, page 13

Sunday Float

“Learning to let go should be learned before learning to get. Life should be touched, not strangled. You’ve got to relax, let it happen at times, and at others move forward with it.”
― Ray Bradbury

Click here for “Self-Love” by Zen (acoustic) ~ A slow Sunday vibe with an uplifting message. (lyrics below for the hearing impaired) Thank you for stopping by and thanks for all the kind care shown to me, on my most recent post and generally speaking, as the years roll along in this space. In gratitude. Michele P.S. I am feeling better than last week, resting and restoring.

I hope you're taking care of yourself today
I hope that you are loving yourself today
You deserve the love you so give away
I hope you know that you're beautiful today

I am sending love to you from my heart
I hope you know that you are a work of art
When it feels like your world is falling apart
Please remember that you are never alone
Never alone

So if you feel like giving up today
Just know that

Tomorrow will be a brand new beautiful day
The sun will rise and the old things will fade away
You don't ever need to change a thing honey
You are perfect as you are, you are beautiful
Yes, you are
Beautiful

I am here for you whenever you need
Don't you listen to negative self belief
Everything will be okay soon, you'll see
You are strong, wonderful, worthy
Worthy

So if you feel like giving up today
Just know that

Tomorrow will be a brand new beautiful day
The sun will rise and the old things will fade away
You don't ever need to change a thing honey
You are perfect as you are, you are beautiful
Tomorrow will be a brand new beautiful day
The sun will rise and the old things will fade away
You don't ever need to change a thing honey
You are perfect as you are, you are beautiful
Yes, you are
Beautiful

I hope you're taking care of yourself today
I hope that you are loving yourself today
Written by: Anke Harrington

my photos taken in Newport, Oregon

2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Behind the curtain

I am a suck-it-up and soldier on kind of person and I’ve been told countless times that I have the patience of Job. I am not striving for sainthood in this life; it’s just how I am wired further strengthened by life circumstances, though the older I get… fifty-six in a few months, I realize that all systems have their limits, including my internal guiding system, which is sometimes more of a default than a sure guide.

I spun myself out a few weeks ago – emotional overload that unraveled me to my core. Many months of emotional stressors that reached a tipping point and out I poured. Open and vulnerable, in rushed an opportunistic virus (not Covid) that took control. Years of eating my veggies proved a limited defense. Although it’s been a long time since I’ve had a stubborn sickness (last year’s travel bug was fast and furious), I did all I knew to do to take care of myself, including plenty of rest. At first, extra hours in bed, left me depressed then I began listening to healing meditations and decided to reframe my thinking – leaning into rest instead of resisting, taking the time for book reading, movie watching, and extended meditating. Over the last two weeks, I’ve managed all the “have-tos” with a few “I can do this” moments. I’ve also had to let several things go, at least temporarily, which makes me feel anxious and guilty, but in those feelings, I find great lessons and a reminder of our precious human existence.

With a two month wait to get into my primary doctor, I saw my naturopath yesterday, who drew blood work and wrote me a prescription for antibiotics. Although I would have preferred to move through this funk naturally, my head was only getting more congested and a fever lingered. I prefer the holistic approach that naturopaths offer though medical insurance limits coverage to these practitioners, so visits feel a luxury (sure hope that changes someday). I am grateful for the visit and for the relief that medicine is bringing.

Of course, extra rest can be an opportunity to reflect and reset. I am embracing that truth as winter’s end draws near. I am also counting my many blessings as spring approaches, which includes the cherished connections I have in this space. Thank you for your time and kind cheer. Michele

featured photo by LZF / my nature shots (this morning’s golden sunrise and a hummingbird in flight)

2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Leaving Puerto Peñasco (video)

Birds soar over the blue death of men
and a living sky swallows the happiness of all touching their feet
and a living sky is water from everywhere
excerpt from “Beaches” ~ poem by Xel-Ha López Méndez

Thank you for visiting and watching! I have more photos to share from Puerto Peñasco, but I wanted to wrap up my video shares from my cousin trip. A couple of video notes: the clips are presented in chronological order (traveling through the Sonoran Desert just after crossing the border) however the included photos are random shots taken during our weekend. Video highlights include a field of cotton (one of Arizona’s 5 Cs – cotton, cattle, copper, climate, & citrus). Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday and rest of the week. Warm regards. Michele

If you’re interested in reading more than just an excerpt from Guadalajaran born poet, Xel-Ha López Méndez, please visit: latribu.info

media note: photos were taken with my Canon and the video clips with my cell phone

2019-2025 myinspiredlife

No cell service

Two weeks together, untethered from everything but each other.

Endless: the crystal blue horizon, the celestial bodies in the night sky, the revealing depths of soulful eyes, the smoothed granules under feet bare, and shivers shooting across quenched skin touched with care.

Weightless in the warm water, lightly flavored with the zest essential for life, made tangier with their penetrating passion, lifting the tide. Two bodies floating freely. The ocean floor pulsing gently. Layers of tension freed and swallowed by the sea.

Somewhere in the distance a cell phone, barless, dies.

Connection lost.

            less is needed

Connection found.

            to have more

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a wonderful day and week ahead. On a personal note, I’ve been dealing with a terrible cold for too many days, stealing my voice in several ways. Made leading a writing group this week a bit strained. I’ve tried to release it to the mat and dance it away, but it’s stubborn – extending its stay! Including rest, I’ve been drowning myself in ginger, lemon, and honey tea and dreaming of lightly salted warm seas… Kind regards. Michele

featured photo of man and woman floating in crystal blue water by fokke baarssen / my photos of Sea of Cortez and shells on the beach taken in Mexico

2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Within is where it all begins

Before there is dance, there is the stretch
Before there is the music, there is the quiet
Before there is growth, there is letting go
Before there is strength, there is a tearing down
Before there is rebuilding, there is rest

“A balanced inner calmness radiates from a peaceful center. It neither craves others’ approval nor rejects others’ presence. It neither pulls towards nor pushes away. It has a reverent attitude towards life and all its inhabitants.”
― Donna Goddard, The Love of Devotion

Thank you for stopping by. Whatever you choose to do, to release life’s stressors, I hope it restores, nourishes, and balances you. Yoga and dance do that for me, so to the mat I go… calming, stretching, and releasing with the goal of carrying the calmness within me. Warm regards. [image error] Michele

My “Eugene Yoga” window photo was taken in Eugene, Oregon and is submitted for “Monday Window.” Thank you to PR for the opportunity to join and share.

photo of woman doing the Camatkarasana pose by fizkes / pink lotus flowers and two orange koi fish by MarcGugDesigns

2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Rusty storytellers

[image error]Wonder when the last letter was sent
from this rusty relic
strangely left in an overgrown desert

cursive lines and stamps, licked
replaced by twisted vines and scurrying lizards

just a traveler, passing through
I see their faded imprints and hear…

footsteps rushing to collect the mail
beaming when receiving a lover’s note
or feet dragging to retrieve another bill

left empty with its flag closed
but oh, the stories this old container could tell

just a traveler, passing through
next to a crackling fire, ready to sit for a spell

Thanks for stopping by and wishing you a wonderful Wednesday! Warm regards. Michele

my photos: abandoned mailbox in the Sonoran Desert / mailboxes in Pacific Northwest / mailbox in the Netherlands

2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Shapeshifting Stitches

“You have a loose thread,” he said.
“Do I? That’s surprising. I take great care of this old garment, passed down through generations.”
“Well, let me help. A quick yank should do the trick.”
“Thank you,” was her reply as she felt the touch, no stronger than a child’s playful tug.

The loose thread did not give itself, but it gave everything else.
In an instant, years’ worth of mending and stitching unraveled around her –

            pad stitches loosened their grip
            slip stitches slipped
            straight stitches fell to the ground in squiggly lines
            running stitches paused to catch their breath
            edges no longer held together with tidy whipstitches

Caught without a needle and thread and more hands to gather and repair, she watched the well-worn fabric fall. Each patched piece barely touching the ground before spinning itself to life – breathing, pulsing, fluttering, and flying. A perfectly tailored fit – colorful and giving.

The Sonoran Desert doesn’t have an abundance of flowers to feature, but a pencil cactus plant felt fitting for the many wonderful writers and poets in this space. This plant adds beautiful color to the environment and if you look closely, you might find a funny face. Thank you for visiting and reading. Warm regards. Michele

featured photo of a peaceful meadow bathed in golden light by GFX HUB / my cactus plant photo

2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Saturday sillimess

Beyond life’s poo poo
there are gorgeous skies of blue
and breathtaking views

Pardon my silliness inspired by the birds’ unavoidable mess. Sometimes comic relief is best! Wishing you a pleasant weekend with just enough silly to remind you of your humanness. Warm regards from the warming Sonoran. Michele

my photos of morning moon shining through two birds pruning and preening on a lamppost covered in poo

2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Rain or tears, equally quench

Is one day enough
to quench the earth and wake seeds
from a long slumber

Buried potential-
will they still know how to bloom
or will they remain under

Rain or tears will do
stirring what was once hidden
springing forth, renewed
Falling raindrops
cannot suspend
their descent
toward a puddle
            murky and slick

tiny drops
not noticeable
until they make a

            s
            p
            l
            a
            s
            h

quickly consumed
by a puddle
            growing

It actually rained, recently. With so many months passing without rain in the Sonoran, it was both shocking and soothing and it looks like it could happen again this morning. A preferred poetry and/or reading scene for me, though all weather situations have their own form of creative inspiration.

Today will mark our third Creative Call, with room for a few more creatives! If you’re interested in joining, please email me through my contact page and I will send you the link (10 AM PST). Today’s call will focus on taking care of your creative brain. If you miss this one, you’ll be on the list for our March call. Thank you for visiting and best to you! [image error] Michele

featured photo of woman with a cup of tea and book, near rainy window by Tanya Dvoretskava / my photo of raindrops on leaves / creative collage drawing by Roman Samborskyi / my window selfie

2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Sunday morning

Rushing off, toward rows
filling with waking bodies, squeezing close
heads bow in prayer
bodies rise in unison
dutifully listening

A mind remembering
her frilly dress and little boots skipping fast
one small hand holding mine
the other grabbing a sticky donut
next to a cordial greeting line

Many Sundays have passed
the rushing toward a building, gone
here I stand, in a quiet park, alone
breathing in spring’s approaching scent
watching a human silhouette
sleeping on a park bench
eyes toward heaven
surrounded by bird songs
my spirit, unbound, is home

Keep Me in Your Heart by The Wailin’ Jennys

The sweet sounds (and memories) of a quiet Sunday Morning. Thank you for visiting. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. Michele

my Sunday sunrise photos

2019-2025 myinspiredlife