40daysbefore40 day 17: there's no place like mexico ;-) xx

this evening, post satisfying day of contrasts which befits my thursday routine...teaching an ultra orthodox jewish student, a woman who shines, and gifts me each week with such a depth of knowledge of the spirit of a tradition i turned away from many moons ago....and than straight to a private men's prison to offer a class to those who wish to practice a practice of ultimate freedom...this might be my favourite class all week...why?..because i am always struck by how deep and attentive their focus is, by the asking and craving for more, by the silence as they watch their breath, by the respect offered to myself, to yoga, to each other, and to the space we all create together each week

thursdays are magic for me and i return home thrilled and filled with love

a contrast day...of feminine softness n ancient wisdom spirit, and of masculine strength and structured form and honour

so i came home and made these shoes :-) 

 

 how?

step 1: take one pair of seemingly innocous red boots

 hello boots

step 2: raid ones supply of beaded finery and winged glitter bound supplies and gather together in an impromptu meeting of material minds

 ooh it must be playtime (rubbing hands together in glee optional!)

step 3: have a taffeta and sequin moment

  

step 4: hearts hearts where are those blessed hearts??!! ah! they be on a kinda native indian headdress inspired tete a tete with the feathers

darrhhling!! ;-) 

 

 

step 5: its most unlikely that there wouldnt be a hint of skeleton in this soul wear creation! mmmmm i love my skeleton folk..actually any kinda boned object will bring joy to my heart...here i have made a his n hers couple...a lil yin n yang energy, a shiva shakti pair on my pair of wizard of oz footwear!

step 6: never forget heaps of glitter folks..as much as one can get away with ;-)

and voila!

my 'take me to mexico pronto!!' manifestation, click ma heels 3 times, ruby red slippered boots

now..wheres the nearest ball?? 

wildness

(click on the title 'wildness' to hear the beautiful mexican artist lila downs sing 'burn it blue')

the invitation
oriah mountain dreamer

''it doesnt interest me what you do for a living.
i want to know what you ache for,
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

it doesnt interest me how old you are.
i want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

it doesnt interest me what planets are squaring your moon.
i want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow,
if you have been opened by life's betrayals or
have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.

i want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own,
without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

i want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own,
if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be
careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human.

it doesnt interest me if the story you're telling me is true.
i want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself;
if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.

i want to know if you can be faithless
and therefore be trustworthy.

i want to know if you can see beauty
even when its not pretty, every day,
and if you can source your own life from its presence.

i want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine,
and still stand on the edge of a lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon, ''yes''!

it doesnt interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
i want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and
despair, weary and bruised to the bone,
and do what needs to be done for the children.

it doesnt interest me who you are, how you came to be here.
i want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.

it doesnt interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
i want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

i want to know if you can be alone with yourself,
and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.''