The Power Within Imagining
As I stand before the mirror today, I see an aging body. In the past I wished for curlier hair, smaller hips, and a prettier face. I longed for the freedom to play. I would wish myself to appear younger, firmer, “less traveled.” Today, I smile, feeling grateful for these hips, which have carried me these 60 years. My face which shows laugh lines reminds me of how humor is my friend. I gently caress the stomach which willingly housed my two grown daughters. Tracing the lines of once stretched skin I fondly recall the swollen belly of pre-birth.
Outdoors, I playfully dig into the rich earth. This familiar scent reminds me deep inside, that this is where I came from and where I will once return when this body has finished its journey of life. A sense of comfort envelopes me and I am moved to run and play in the yard. After a dancing spin or two I feel hunger and thirst. I pick fruit from the Mango tree and sit for a rest.
Breathing in Gaia’s rhythm with the trees and grass surrounding me, I feel the breeze as it blows across my skin. The sensation is arousing and brings memories of other caresses; this gives smile to my lips. I feel so blessed that this body can continue to bring me such joy in sensual appreciation for the here and now. It has taken me a long time to accept myself just as I am, supported by the circle of women in my life. How blessed I am to have a forum such as IAW to support and encourage me in this lifetime. Yesterday, I could only imagine myself as this woman.
Whenever I forget, I will return to the poem and Imagine again………….
Patricia O’Neill Gleason is the owner of Patricia’s Transitions, a wellness shoppe in Hilo, Hawaii, where she provides private consultations and educational workshops. Since 2003 she has studied Australian Bush, Hawaiian, and North American Essence properties and believes strongly in their healing gifts. Patricia shares Nature’s amazing wonders (the “power of flowers”) and many other Vibrational Therapy Tools for optimal Balance and Wellness with her clients and customers.
In Patricia’s practice, she also uses the skills acquired over the past 60 years as wife, mother, widow, and most recently single parent raising a 16 year old girl whose own Mother passed away from cancer. Patricia is a lover of the “Imagine a Woman” poem and is currently in IAW’s Certification Training Program. Visit her website at www.patriciastransitions.net.
Thank you, Patricia, for honoring 60 years worth of experience in your blog, and for sharing the ways you honor your body’s gifts and memories. I was reminded of the taste of this summer’s nectarines and the strength of my muscles from daily runs. In gratitude, Patricia
This life is delicious sin’t it? Patricia OG
What a beautiful sensual sharing! I too am in my 60s, loving and cherishing the person I am and the memories I have stored and the energy of the work I do with women and girls in this wisdom stage of my life. We are a power that could stoke the universe and I am so grateful for our presence on the planet right now. We are in the house and the yard and the corporation and the non-profit and the…..there is nowhere we are not. I’m bursting with the juice of life, like your mango and Patricia’s nectarines. Love and blessings, Therese
Thank you Therese for continuing to reach out and share your wisdom to women and girls. I tingle when I think of all of the beautiful women on this planet sharing and caring. Patricia OG
Thank you so much for this lovely, lovely writing.
Amy
Amy,
Thank you for taking the time to post…….a few moments that touch another.
Patricia OG
Thank you Patricia for the reminder that life truly is a wonderful journey and we as women share a bond that is mysterious and magnificent, every moment miraculous and marvelous.
Sandra,
Today I shall look upon every moment as mystery, miraculous and marvelous…..love those MMMMMM’s!
Mahalo,
Patricia OG
Sixty years!??? Sixty!??? Holy crap! Why are you counting? There is no time……only wisdom to be had in the knowledge we are put here to absorb. I’ve always, well, ok, almost always, been comfortable in my skinny bones, too-small-a-chin and my undereducated life. I am who I am. That ‘who’, got to know you, and your BEAUTIFUL face, (those hips aren’t too big, dearie!)and your warmest of smiles, and most loved; your humor! Humor is what makes all of this work, Patricia, dear.
We just cannot take ourselves too seriously. Life is toooo short to do that. But with a smile and a nod, we move through this life…learning, and laughing, and with the passing of those we find or hold dear and yet go beyond them…see that for our ‘extra’ days, it is but a moment longer afterall.
When I think of scents…..I think of lasagna, or of lamb, cooking over an open fire in a pit, with the sweet taste of tequila or of some fine wine……..but scents are what move us, and for me, I’d rather taste what comes before my nose….whether it is flowers, food, wine or flesh…..four footed, gilled or bi-peds.
I look back to your life and mine………laughing, reminiscing about the wild and crazy guys or the deep loves that we were convinced about, and I see the same two wild and crazy gals that we still maintain, with better hips, fuller lips, lips that now know HOW to kiss, how to respond,and fuller hearts, knowing how to nurture and know that we are so much richer now these years later… so much better, than where we were all those years ago.
You are still my friend, and for that I am indeed rich. It has been great to know you, even though we were lost for awhile…..look how this big, spinning globe has turned us around!
Now, go. Sniff! Eat! Drink!
As shall I!
An old bat that loves ya dearly
Oh My……those skinny bones hold one of the deepest laps I ever nested in for respite. Mahalo dear friend for all of the reminders.
Patricia OG
What a beautiful celebration of 60 years well-lived in a woman’s body!
Women truly are the salt of the earth….
Hurray to women and to our Mother Planet!
Viviane Lerner
And Hurray to you for your wisdom sharing and editing expertise, Madame.
I so love knowing you.
Patricia OG
Beautifully said Patricia… Thank you for the reminder to appreciate my body… it brings me joy, sensual appreciation for the here and now and I accept myself just as I am.
Nichol,
Mahalo Nui
Patricia OG
Very beautifully written, Patricia. A hug is in order, but alas, we are far apart. Love to you.
Thank you Carole for taking time to comment…….where ever you are, I always include you in my “Circle of Support”….
Much Love,
Patricia OG
Aloha Patricia,
This is beautiful,it is filled with truth, feelings, and spirit.
Patricia, I love your store, and the people of Hilo are blessed to have you in the community. You are very special, and have many gifts, wisdom and a big heart.
Mahalo
Love Hallie Larsson
Hallie,
What a pleasure it has been to add your gifts to the women of our community….and beyond! Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.
Patricia OG