My new home is continuing to come along. Progress is being made quickly, and I continue to marvel at how the process of building this new house parallels the process of building my life. I have been building myself anew in many areas, and it is simultaneously exhilarating & terrifying, and there are so many lessons along the way. With both my home building and my life building, I am striving to always build on the foundation of love.
I got an idea from my friend Kelly from Chicago. She had told me about how her church had been installing new hardwood floors, and before the flooring was put down, members of the congregation were invited to come and write on the floorboards. They could write a prayer, a quote, their name…
Last weekend, I invited some family members and friends to put their touch on my new home. As I asked people to share messages on my floor, I thought about how I was really making this house my home. The power of these words will always be there with me. On any day years from now, when I am feeling defeated or afraid or confused, I can place my hands on the floor and be uplifted by the amazing messages that were offered to me. It means so much to me that people from all different chapters of my life came together to grace my home and grace my life with incredible heartfelt words. Prayers, song lyrics, pictures, personal messages, Bible verses, quotes, and some fun and light-hearted reminders will be my inspiration and guidance in every room of the house. One of my creative friends Stan Stewart wrote an improvised poem on the occasion of my new home. You can read his poem “Every Time” here: http://muz4now.com/2015/every-time-an-improv-poem/
I believe that our lives are shaped by every person whom we meet. Each interaction that we have changes us in some way. I believe that we carry with us in our bodies, our voices, and our unconscious stirrings…a piece of each person whose path has crossed ours. For that reason, I find it fitting that so many people who mean so much to me have made their mark on my home. As I walk on the floors of my new home, I remember that I am not alone in the world; there are so many others traveling on the journey, and my life has been blessed by coming to meet and know them.
There were also several words and phrases and pictures that I added to the floor, as I recognize that I have a personal responsibility for erecting a strong and love-based foundation. I can’t only lean on others to fill me up and support me. Another special touch to the floors was a special signed letter and message that builder Curtis Bailey and his wife Dorothy placed under the floor in my meditation room. Just like an artist signs the piece of artwork he or she has created, I feel that it is appropriate that Curt signs his name to this awesome construction that has been a product of his ideas, skills, and care. I am honored to have blessings from Curt and his wife be forever a part of my future home.
I am humbled, blessed, amazed, uplifted, and even floored by the incredible foundation of love that has been co-created in the process of building my new home. My heart is full of gratitude as I reflect on how my life has been touched and moved and graced by so many, and I am inspired to continue to build my life with such care.
