Wander Four: Dancing Partner

Hello Fellow Wanderers,

It has been deliciously wet, and perhaps a little dreary here this past week. I have been mourning the sudden mowing of my sit spot with the dandelions and clovers—it is quite sad to visit your friends with all of their heads and arms chopped off. And I have been celebrating planting a wee vegetable garden next to my mother’s arbor at her invitation. Andy and I have also surrendered to doing some sleep coaching to get Robin—and us—sleeping better. This has allowed a space to open up (sometimes) in the early morning for me to step outside with a warm cup and plant my bare feet on the earth—to greet the garden properly, with water if she needs it, and to rattle my weary bones awake at the beckoning of the leafy treetops. The sleep coaching also has me reflecting on the body’s movements, as I watch Robin learn to put himself to sleep—rolling his body in all sorts of ways across the landscape of his crib. Each part of his body seems to get grounded in this way, as he coos and cries and raspberries the experiences of the last few hours out, so that he might sleep freer. I find my dreams and my body are encouraging me to move differently too.

My invitation this week is to wander in search of a dancing partner(s)—or teacher—among the plants, insects, animals, and fungi. Who is alive out there who is asking you to raise your arms out of that malaise, or move your hips in a new way, or walk with a deep bend in your knee for a few movements, or roll on a warm rock? Maybe it is a grand gesture of a dance, perhaps it is barely perceptible. Let yourself be led. Dance with this non-human being—mirroring each other, inspiring each other. 

A note on feeling conspicuous—I find that the universe gives me protection from other human eyes—if I need it. But then, think of the last time you smiled when you saw another person dancing freely for no apparent reason. It is the new moon—enjoy the cover of darkness.

Then, remember the dance—so that the dance might wander its way into your life and have us all moving in new ways together.

Our Zoom group will be this Thursday May 28th at 3pm Eastern Time. Please email me to receive the link.