Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_9398Calm and Quiet

First she comes
tentative
and wild
one quiet step
and then another.
Shhh… stay still
and watch
they say,
and next
comes the surprise.

Twins with wobbly legs and curiously twitching noses follow their mother out of the trees and into the open. They stay close, but still they come.  Their mother is skittish, but she brings them forward to show them off in a gift built through years of cultivating trust.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_8470Motivation

Half a moment
just a thought
flitting through
a butterfly
flying by
and yet
it becomes
creative spark
alight
burning
turning
spinning
twirling
I must
bring it to life

I have an idea. Yes… yes.  It’s going to be a for sale idea.  But still… I have an idea. And for the first time in a long time? I feel that inner spark of interest and excitement and exuberance that comes with the spark of creativity coming to life.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_5105Rightness

Sitting
with you
helping you
to understand
the symbols
and symbolism
of my path
brings me great joy.
Thank you
for being so open
and so eager
to learn.

Yesterday, when you came to me with the symbol on one of your oracle cards and asked what it meant, it felt so good to help you see the meaning in that small thing.

Like sitting on a bench looking out at the water with my head on your shoulder… Like a small kiss on my temple in like at the grocery store.   It was a joy and a pleasure and just a small… perfect moment.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_5230Together

When we are
twined
together as one
sweat drying
breaths panting
and the world
glazed in pleasure,
I feel shiny and new,
renewed
and recreated.
A diamond
once dirty and dull
now clean,
I shimmer.

In those moments tangled in your arms, my guard down completely and my soul bared to you, it feels as if you see a piece of me no one else can see.  You love a piece of me no one else can touch.   In these moments, I am not myself.  Instead I am the young fawn that has not yet having learned to flinch for the world.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_4588Chaos

Yesterday
so resolute
and then
the morning comes
second guesses
warring thoughts
a cacophony
within the mind
as guilt
and obligation
and responsibility
try to beat me
into submission.
And yet,
I persist.

I made the decision yesterday to take a week off from the business and  give myself some breathing room.  This isn’t a full vacation, of course, as I’ll still be working at the farm and the salon, but yet… it is a huge thing all the same. I’ve never taken time off voluntarily just for myself before.  Not ever.

So it’s not surprising that guilt and doubts would play havoc with my insides today concerning the decision.  Thing is though?  I need it.  I need some time.  I’m not letting the guilt and doubts turn me away from this.  I need the time… and I’m taking it.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_6433Empowerment

It takes
bravery
to try new things,
to open up
and spread your wings.
If it looks easy
don’t be fooled
I struggle
just as much
as him
or you.

I was told this morning that I make things look easy.  I was talking with my boss, leaning against the fence taking a break after teaching his son how to do a carburetor adjustment on the tractor, and he came out with it as we were talking.  “You make things look so easy, and I know they aren’t.  But watching you, it seems like you could do anything.”   Those were his words to me.

I was surprised, and deeply complimented as well… but definitely surprised.  I have a lot of skills, but I worked hard to learn and hone those skills.  They weren’t just magically bestowed upon me, but were developed through hard work and, at times, a lot of struggle. I’m not sure why the fact all that struggle and work not being obvious feels like a compliment… but it does.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography