Leap of Faith

I was going through the saved photos on my camera and came across this lovely image. I can’t recall where or when I took the photo, but I think this might be a painting in the window of a store front. I vaguely recall something like that. Maybe.

The image alone is eye-catching to me. But I am also struck by the quote from Margaret Shepherd:  Sometimes your  only available transportation is a leap of faith.

Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.

The older I get the more I believe that faith is incredibly important. It is essential for the growth and development of the human soul to believe in something–to be able to believe and trust in something outside of ourselves–whatever you choose that to be. That belief, that faith, can act as an anchor.

I have faith in kindness and love. I have faith that there is good inside every single living thing, even if it’s really hard to see. I have faith that every experience we have can make us better, if we let it. I have faith in our ability to create meaningful, joyful lives. I have faith in the healing power of laughter and that a smile can work magic. I have faith that if we remain true to that which we believe in, miracles can happen.

Magical magic wands

My daughter and I each have magic wands. I bought them for us because these particular wands make a neat sound and have a flashing light on the tip when you push the little button. They’re so much fun to play with!

I thought it would be even more magical if we decorated our wands. Giddy with excitement,  Taryn and I pulled out all the colored Sharpies we could find and began prepping our creation station.  We drew drafts on paper first, then took pen to wand.

Taryn’s has vines and flowers and poka dots. Which is as playful and bold as she is.

My design is intended to remind me, with or without magic, that everything is possible.  Especially if I believe it is.

Building Sand Castles

Watching my children work together to build a sand castle this weekend filled me with such hope.  Focused on a joint vision, the dynamics between them reflected partnership and a near divine level of giving–both to each other and the project at hand.

Where often there is competition between them, magic bubbled up so iridescent and shiny I felt I could reach out and touch it.

If this wonderful mix of creation and love can be felt from two children working together to build a castle made of sand, imagine the mountains that can be moved when hundreds or thousands of passionate people join their hands, heads and hearts.  What a world we could build if we collectively focused on everything we want to create (healthy and educated people, clean water and air, nutritious food, abundance and joy) instead of all the things we want to avoid (crime, disease, pollution, lack, pain and suffering).

What a world, indeed.

So, what do you say?  Shall we get some brightly colored buckets and a few shovels and get to work?

I don’t know a single child that hasn’t heard of Green Eggs and Ham or sock-wearing foxes. Dr. Seuss, whose birthday was March 2nd, has touched the lives of hundreds of millions of children and adults alike.

As we gathered at Hough Elementary for Read Across America to celebrate what very well may be the best-read children’s author of all time, the joy of words (non-sensical or not) was evident. Families came together to create books and share time and space and laughter. Those of us with a leaning toward whimsy and magic could just almost swear that wildly imaginative spirit popped up here and there among paper and crayons.

Happy birthday, Theodor Seuss Geisel. We sure are glad you came.