Trusting in the Cycles of Life

Sitting Quiet

During my twenties while living in a high mountain cabin in Northern New Mexico, I would sit and watch the March snowstorms move across the valley, hear the echo of distant wanderers, and revel in the solitude of the high desert. A response to the beauty and peace began to stir deep within, wanting expression.

When the burst of Spring filled in the mountainsides and mesas with fragrant vibrancy and the colors of new life, these inner promptings took form. I began doing something that I later found was called “toning”. I would sit and make a “joyful noise” into the hills and feel quite wonderful for having done it—free and clear! There was no one around to critique. No audience, except for the surrounding trees. Just me and the Universe, “sitting pretty”, making music!

In those years I continued to let my voice carry me, even on a few rare occasions joining mine with others in stunningly beautiful, AND unrehearsed, harmonies that seemed to “come out of nowhere”.

At some point, life got busy with child rearing, “keeping a roof overhead”, city living with its inherent “not wanting to disturb the neighbors” (God forbid!).   Slowly, the busy-ness of life “crept up behind and overtook me”–I was no longer taking the time to do this thing I loved.

The Business of Life

Oh, there were the occasional long drives where as my son nodded off, I would gently rock him to sleep with sound. And of course, there was always a moment or two in the shower…Just nothing to even hint at the wonder I had experienced in those earlier years.

I would attempt to “give it a go” on occasion; sometimes I just didn’t have the energy or focus. Creativity does take time set aside for “letting it unfold”. I mourned the loss while taking care of what needed taking care of. Sometimes I was harsh on myself for not “fitting it all in”! That is SO easy to do.

It is clear to me now that Life is full of cycles; what we love stays with us, returns, never leaves…for us it is to learn Trust in the ebbs and flows and Faith that we are being carried, guided every step of the way.

Joyful Noise!

Recently, quite “out of the blue” I started toning again. As I, with cup of tea in hand, would watch the rising sun, I began to make a joyful noise.  The funny thing is, it came quite “naturally” to me. There was no struggle to “fit it in”! Suddenly, I was just doing it!! Who would have believed!!! It is as if no time had passed; it is just part of my life, again. Now, too, there is an even richer appreciation of it.

And THAT, is what I mean by Trusting in the Cycles of Life.  If you are living in a whirlwind of caring for young children, working full time, and you wonder, “Will I ever…again?” Yes, you will!



(c)2010 Emily A. Easton