The Lotus Flower
It's stayed with me, ever since I heard, or overheard, the story of the lotus flower while eavesdropping. (Hey- it pays to eavesdrop sometimes, right?) Kim was zooming a yoga class in the other room, and I overheard her instructor say something about "the story of the lotus flower" and how it grows out of muddy, murky water to emerge through the water's surface into a beautiful blossom.
I was intrigued. Now, a few weeks after the fortuitous eavesdrop, I've learned about and taken to the metaphor of the lotus flower; the mud symbolizing life's struggles, challenges, and hardships, and the journey of the blossom symbolizing growth and wisdom and triumph of the human spirit. Its seeds, containing perfect and unique leaves, represent the potential of the human spirit, and its stem is flexible and will bend, but refuses to be broken. The lotus flower breaking the water's surface symbolizes never giving up-- never quitting when things are difficult, and always pushing through the darkness to find the sunlight. The blossom will appear, and will be enlightened, aware, and brilliant!
A cousin of kintsugi, the story of the lotus flower inspires me; I hope it will do the same for you.
In many cultures, the lotus represents a sacred state of purity, rebirth, and strength. Because lotuses rise from the mud without stains, they are often viewed as a symbol of purity.
Cuttyhunk
I had reluctantly resigned myself to thinking that I should not go to Cuttyhunk this year due to Covid-19 and my associated risk profile (PLS, cardiovascular, age).
But as I drove away from the M/V Cuttyhunk (ferry) after Kara and Luke had boarded and were on their way to that magical place, I noticed something. The parking lot for ferry passengers' cars was very empty. And I had overheard the Captain, who is also the ticket-taker, say that passenger traffic has been extremely light and that there are few people on the island. I began to think about possibilities...could Kim and I get over there for a few days?
The cousins who had decided to go press with this annual pseudo-family reunion had already issued strict Social Distance Guidelines, including mask-up requirements, pod-restrictions, outdoor-only interactions, virtual hugs.
Three days later, Kim and I were on the 9:00 a.m. ferry to that magical place. We decided to surprise everyone. And yes, we had three full days of Cutty magic, full of love, laughter, ocean air, and freedom. I spent hours running and exercising in the water, and swimming, floating-- stripped of PLS that imprisons me when I am out of the water.
Here's to life's possibilities...
B L A C K L I V E S M A T T E R
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