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At the request of a few “fans,” I expanded my guitar riff a bit. It’s still a pretty short tune, but it feels complete. Hope you enjoy!

My sister, Jeanne, and I are doing weekly creative projects to challenge ourselves, and this week’s project was to create something musical. Of course, composition is my “go to,” but the way I made this a unique project for me was to use the “guitar” feature on my electric piano. I really love this little tune and plan to expand upon it.

Guitar Riff

Attached is my latest piano piece. It feels appropriate for the season.

Loss of Hope
How can we bear it
Feel the pain of hearts breaking
One moment longer

Surprise Blessing
The money ran out
A job found its way to me
Miracles are real

Rituals (Meditation)
Breathe in slow, slower
Focus on relaxation
Let everything go

Signs
“Look down,” said a Voice
Eyes spy a four-leaf clover
Peeking through the grass

Blossoming
Where do they come from
These beautiful melodies
Playing my fingers

Beauty of Children:

Pure, open wonder
A child sees love in all things
I wish I could, too

Beauty of Earth: [Ireland]

Ancient stones speak truth
The secrets of our forebears
Revealed in bedrock

Beauty of Light: [Diamonds]

Facets sparkle bright
Radiant colors of light
Penetrate us all

Beauty of Bliss: [Creative work]

I move, You respond
Together we make something
Never made before

Beauty of Birds: [Eagles]

High above the fray
Freedom flies over the clouds
Perfect vision reigns

[In search of peace]

His tread raced my blood
Rage and fright imprisoned me
How can I escape?

[Forgiveness]

Finger trap clutches
Wolf severs paw to get free
Why is that a crime?

[Grace in nature]

Breeze caresses me
Whispers gently in my ear
You are always loved

[Acceptance of loss]

Mementos of love
All forgotten memories
Return to soothe me

[Physical comfort/peace]

Smelling salts revive
Rhythmic waves swallow me whole
Imbibing my tears

Each was a response to a writing prompt.

Feeling Threatened
Safe within her shell
Force is not the code to crack
Freedom is the key

Pursuit of a Dream
Her brined locks fly free
Gulls soar on wings of delight
They dance with the sea

Childhood Joy
Piano arrives
Heart and soul embrace in love
Best birthday ever

Courage
Unshielded putty
Might shatter into pieces
Do it anyway

Fear
What will happen if
Someone sticks a pin in it
And my bubble bursts?

I am taking a Carl Jung course that is exploring the Unconscious through writing, image-making, myths, dreams, storytelling, and the natural world. One of the exercises for this week’s class was to write a fairytale, using symbols and archetypes, to describe a feeling of “being stuck.” This free-write today was a fun ride that unfolded with ease. For me, there is nothing better than playing with imagination! To my surprise, this story was reassuring and helps me accept the inevitable discomfort of being stuck at times in life with no clue how to proceed. Something or someone always comes to the rescue:

A Walk in the Wood

Once upon a time there was a young maiden walking alone in a dark wood. The sun had set long ago. The only illumination was a starlit sky. She was grateful for the glittering constellations. They offered a sense of safety in this unfamiliar place.

But the maiden struggled to see. The path beneath her feet was untrodden, uncharted. Rocks, roots, and other obstacles were detected only when stumbled upon. She was cautious to place one bare foot on the rutted earth to find stability, before carefully stepping the other foot. In this manner, she trekked for some time. Darkness remained, but the maiden’s walking became less tentative. She discovered it was possible, after all, to walk without light.

Still, she yearned to see where she was going.

After a while, the maiden succumbed to fatigue and sat down, resting her back against an ancient tree, whose gnarled roots offered a natural seat and footrest. Dozing, in a reverie of sorts, a flash of light snapped her into full alertness. A brilliant ball had descended from the night sky.

As the maiden gaped in wonderment, the star sparkled and said: Hello. I am here to help you the rest of the way. Your journey has been a long one. You have been valiant in your going. I will guide you now. Do not fear. My name is Lulabel, and I come from another galaxy solely to assist you. Come, let us go. You have had your rest.

As promised, Lulabel brightened the forest floor. No match for the sun’s radiance, but the maiden could see with ease where to place her feet. Time passed swiftly, and before long a clearing appeared. Through an opening in the trees, a glowing sunrise emerged, the dawning of a new day. The maiden’s eyes blinked wider, as they caught the flash of Lulabel disappearing, returning to her constellation in the heavens.

Knowing our maiden had arrived at her destination, Lulabel’s work was done. She smiled and whispered softly to the cosmos: All is well now. All is well.

Today’s lesson focused on aspects of self-compassion:

IMPERFECTION:
Oblivion now!
Shutter the glaring spotlight
Leave me in the dark.

COMFORT:
Rest comes at nighttime
The day no longer matters
Sweet dreams lie ahead

SLEEP:
Sandpaper chafes eyes
Unrelenting thoughts harass
Fairy dust, I beg!

ADAPTING:
Blown about by winds
Someone else’s storm thrashes
Grasping for a cloud

A difficult situation:
     The curtain rises
     Melody enthralls my soul
     A song no one hears

A frustrating challenge:
     You cannot be you
     Dagger splits the heart in two
     Tail between my legs

Limiting belief:
     Why can't this be mine?
     Stay buried in the dung heap
     Silence is golden

A mystery:
     Omnipresent Sun
     Surely penetrates my heart
     Burns away the dross

Something ineffable:
     The bucket plunges
     Dark, cool water caresses
     Filling me with Grace