A Most Serendipitous Moment

The Raven

Today I had what I call a serendipitous moment. What I mean is a moment where time seems to slow down and you encounter something out of the ordinary, which inspires you. Some may call it a message for your life, others may call it a sign. It has been a very busy time in my life and I have not had the time for just being, a time I spend with myself to feel and experience each moment in gratitude and peace. Work stresses, obligations, family commitments and the pressure I put on myself for wanting to achieve and do.

Cosmic explosion

Well today I had just finished my guitar lesson and was on my way home, my first stop The Italian Center shop to pick up some groceries for our pizza night. Next stop home to relax a bit and have some much needed rest. I was listening to the radio and turned up the volume as I really liked the song, I could not remember the band or the song name. I just rolled down the window feeling the breeze run through the truck and feeling the rhythms of this song. Stopping for a red light and thinking as I usually do when I hear a good song how much passion I have for music and instruments and a dream I have had all my life to organize a concert that would encompass all cultures and traditions featuring bands from all over the world and finally  a song put together with all the artists. This always brings so much emotion to my heart and soul. My day dream was broken by the sound of a man's voice.

Awakening the tiger

Like being pulled out of a dream a bit confused and slow going I hear "Hey, is that song playing on the radio?". I look over and see a native man and he is asking me this, most would just ignore it but this man had something about him, an aura, a feeling and I responded telling him it was the radio. He asked if the band was Blue Rodeo a Canadian band who have made some hits in North America. I told him I didn't think it was blue rodeo but could not remember the band or singer name. He next asked me if I made the leather braided bracelets I was wearing. I told him no but had gotten this particular one in Mykonos, Greece, a trip my wife and I took for our Italian honeymoon. He commented on how the indigenous people of Greece were very talented at the leather crafting trade. I proceeded to tell him of some native friends who also made me necklaces and bracelets, he responded by telling me that I had inspired him, gave him some kind of creative idea. I told him that's what I think life is about: inspiring one another and not hurting each other.

This man began to tell me that he had been reading Wayne Dyer and that he was really enjoying his concepts, I also have read a few of his books and agreed that they were truly inspirational, thinking to myself Wayne Dyer talks about these chance meetings and here we were me and this fellow at a stop light carrying on a conversation of souls, everything around seemed to stand still and time on our sides. We said our goodbyes and off we went on our own ways.

I thought Wow, that was the longest red light I have ever experienced.

I was left with a feeling of purpose and hope and gratitude. It seems when we let go of the reins of our life and let our soul govern the way, we get these morsels of goodness and inspiration.

Maybe I am to go back and read Wayne Dyer, or maybe I need to follow my soul and do the things I dream about doing, setting fear and doubt aside. There is a poem by Marianne Williamson "Our Deepest Fear". I came upon this poem at a class I was taking. It was a voice lesson class called Express Yourself here in Edmonton, Alberta, headed by a wonderful voice teacher, song writer and spiritual inspirational teacher Anna Beaumont. She had made a song out of this poem that is absolutely wonderful. I always find myself singing this song at time to myself. The poem goes something like this:

Our Deepest Fear
By Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically iberates others.

Susan Seddon Boulet "Shaman"

So there is my serendipitous moment, one I will remember, also thank you to you the native man in the blue van for this experience and your friendliness and courage to talk to a stranger at a red light.

A little about the art. The first two paintings I did when I was 15 and a time in my life where I began to find parts of myself. The next one I did when I was in my early 30's and went through a huge period of discovery. The last painting is from one of my favorite artists Susan Seddon Boulet who merges human with animal spirit in such a way that leaves you breathless and mystified.

Thanks to all for the abundant inspiration and kindness!

Happy journey!

Loreto

Loreto

When I am not cooking, I enjoy playing musical instruments, singing, writing. I have learned over the years to live in gratitude and enjoy the moment.