Michele Lee Sefton's Blog, page 27

Petals of Protection

A night of preparation

falls
             a way

for the space

needed

to dress myself

            in the

petals of protection

Routine choreographed, steps practiced, now I ready my mind for the “one” woman who needs me. I don’t know who she is. Maybe I’ve met her. Maybe I’ve yet to. I know she’s out there, battling something she buries away from the eyes of the world. It might be body shame that others thrust upon her, or self-doubt that consumes her, or unwelcomed hands forced upon her. I am no savior, but may I be her sister, a giver, offering her a soft petal to stitch gently into her daily armor.

A few weeks before flying to Europe I accepted an invitation to speak and dance, for a second time, at a dance studio that challenges me weekly. A unique studio, that focuses on encouragement, empowerment, and dance acrobatics, stretching dancers beyond self-perceived limitations, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Beyond stronger muscles and an amazement at what I’ve been able to achieve, the greatest gift received has been the beauty found in slowing it down.

Thank you for reading and respecting my intentions. Warm regards. Michele

my flower photo, Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Strolling through Heidelberg

“[Walking] is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside.”
~Elizabeth von Arnim, The Adventures of Elizabeth in Rügen

my photos, Heidelberg, Germany

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Help yourself

Did you say you were looking for the Help Desk?

……………….

I am not sure how you found a direct line to my desk,
but I regret to inform you, you’ve been misdirected and misinformed.

……………….

I do thank you for the chuckle,
laughing so hard I need to loosen my buckle.

……………….

Let me see if I can find another human who might be so inclined,
in the meantime, enjoy the song selection and please hold the line.

Click here for Dream On by Aerosmith if music video does not load.

Life continues to change, but the helping nature of genuine laughter and great music, remains. Cute heels never hurt, either. Thank you for stopping by. Michele

featured photo by Stokkete

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

A field in Frankfurt

Turbulence
is just the wind
rocking my hammock

calm strength
is the best flotation device
deployed during uncertainty

Acceptance and Patience
are my steadfast
traveling companions

It was a treasure to visit the homeland of my paternal great grandmother, Meta Marie Klinkkammer (11/24/1878 – 5/11/1965), who emigrated from Hannover, Germany to America at some point before 1903. Isn’t it interesting to consider the choices made by our ancestors and how some of their decisions ultimately led to our creation. Germany is a gorgeous country that I hope to return to someday.

A few fun facts I learned about Germany:

There are more than 20,000 castles in Germany. Most are at least 100 years old.Berlin has the largest train station in Europe (Berlin Hauptbahnhof).There are more than 1,000 kinds of sausages in Germany.

Thank you for stopping by. Safe travels! Kind regards. Michele

my photos, Frankfurt, Germany

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Precious Paintings, Living

The works of Rembrandt and van Gogh
gather crowds pushing against velvet ropes
that’s to be expected
true art enthusiasts or tourists blindly clicking
to say they’ve been
there’s no way to know

away from the crowds
precious moments, fleeting
paintings of people, living
were found

Thanks for visiting and Happy Mother’s Day to all the precious mommas (and pappas) who give unconditionally and live as a model of love and strength. Michele

my photos, Bruges, Belgium and Trier, Germany (little cutie walking, pausing periodically to take pictures with her hands)

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

To be continued

From all the books I’ve read and taught, my favorite is becoming my passport. The quickest read from cover to cover, yet it has offered the richest lessons and the grandest discoveries. With endless chapters, surprising twists and turns, interesting characters, and no cliff notes, it will remain at the top of my reading list.

my photo, Ernster Bookshop in Luxembourg

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Tumbling through Europe

“My dream is to walk around the world. A smallish backpack, all essentials neatly in place. A camera. A notebook. A traveling paint set. A hat. Good shoes. A nice pleated (green?) skirt for the occasional seaside hotel afternoon dance.”
~ Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

A lifetime of dreaming is becoming a life of doing. Many things I once considered improbable or impossible (for me) are becoming my truths. I replaced, I don’t know how to do that with, I will figure it out. Over the last few years, I have been learning how to pursue dreams, quiet doubt, and conquer fear. One step at a time, I am figuring it out.

Thank you for stopping by my scheduled share. Comments are off so that I can focus on my surroundings and fully immerse myself in the experience of new countries, cultures, sights, and languages. It will be my pleasure to catch up with fellow bloggers as soon as I can give my full attention. Warm regards and best wishes. Michele

art by Amna Artist / my photo by Larissa

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Tumbling tumbleweed

Tumbleweed Lee is tumbling away for a few weeks. I will be embarking on a bucket list experience and taking a blog break – my first break, beyond a day, since beginning my blog in August of 2019. My break will begin after I publish this note and respond to any current comments. Breaks are healthy for the mind and body, regardless of the activity; however, I will most definitely miss the engagement and the sharing within our wonderful creative community. Take care beautiful people. Catch up with you all May 11th. Happy creating!

Now feels like the perfect time to extend a grand thank you to Barb, an incredibly talented artist, who created an image based on my Paper Airplane Pilot poem, highlighted in her post, “The Winds of Imagination.” Please give her site, A Curious Visit, a visit. I enjoy her rich artistic nature shares very much and was surprised and elated to discover her incorporation of my poem in one of her creative works. Thank you for visiting! Kind regards. Michele

featured photo by naturepicture_rika / my photo (my wall word art)

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Pink Moon

Standing on earth
            dense


weightless
                        she became


excess thoughts
mixing
with oxygen

offered to the heavens

feet bare
absorbing nutrients
tickled by earthworms

giving, taking
breathing, releasing
screams collapsing
            into silence
black holes swallowing
the evidence

solid she stood
longer after
the candles flickered
their final flames

73 million tons
            floating
soft pink lace
falling
from a moon
gently covering

Click here for Pink Moon by Tash Sultana.

Thank you for visiting. Warm wishes from the Sonoran Desert. [image error] Michele

featured photo by Sasin Paraksa / my full moon photo

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Moody Tree

From my office window
I observe a tree
growing
changing
glowing
swaying
bursting
shedding
providing
offering
Reminding
to live, feel, breathe
upon nature
we are reliant
we are more
than machines

Written for Fake Flamenco’s Earth Day Poetry Challenge.

Thank you, Rebecca for supporting and highlighting nature in the many ways that you do!

my “Moody Tree” photo

© 2024 MyInspiredLife