Touchstones of Transcendental Love
I wrote a piece on “Moments” as a blog – please review it here. I decided to do a new piece, and I am calling it – “Touchstones” – with looking at the following definition:
A touchstone can be any object that represents a special person or significant memory to us.
As a metaphor, a touchstone is any physical or intellectual measure by which the validity or merit of a concept can be tested.
The term ‘touchstone’ is used for any past knowledge or experience that has a strong influence on a person.
Touchstone memories. These are past examples of our resilience during an unexpected event. We can look back on them as evidence of our capability to face new challenges and move through them.
Taking those definitions – I am looking at Touchstones as:
Nature walks – where I have experienced a sense of completeness, motivation, and determination to move on.
Every day now in the mountains I am in nature and seasons. I realize cold seasons are not for everyone, but winter requires my reflection and resilience. I have been in magnificent settings throughout my life, from oceans, to deserts, to tropical and mountain tops.
They all have soul messages if we tap in to listen. Walks by the sea, going out at midnight in the desert and gently hugging sahuaros, hearing the sea within them. Sahuaros store water for the hot desert summers. Breathtaking sunrises upon the beaches and mountain sunrises and sunsets. 360 degrees view on mountain tops, and hugging mountain trees – feeling their endurance and strength. Touchstones.
Events
My ordination, and my first Big Sky Retreat 1976 in the Grand Tetons. A sacred soul moment by a waterfall on an island on Jackson Lake with my HIV Group – Together to Grow – that made it to the then Grand Teton Retreat and a journey through Yellowstone together. My Doctorate Ceremony and my 80th birthday receiving notes of how I had touched people’s lives through my time with the Big Sky Retreat. The last Big Sky Retreat – 2024, overwhelming sadness in letting go and profound JOY in 48 years of service and LOVE.
Places that signify my soul’s journey.
Mountains, oceans, deserts and where I will have my ashes scattered – at Ousel Falls around Big Sky, MT – treasured memories of magnificent friends and peers shared there. Touchstones
Family, peers, friends, and pets that left indelible heart-prints of LOVE.
Precious moments in helping to raise my four nieces with my mom and sister in my 20’s and their families throughout my life. My work with HIV/AIDS in the 80’s and 90’s transformed how I saw myself and life. Having a precious dog – Gus – that I have joint custody of , a horse, Winnie, I help take care of and realizing how all my pets were messengers of unconditional love and forgiveness.
Honoring my life and that through all the Touchstones reflected above, I have risen to be the soul I am in this hour. I value those memories and that I have deeper forgiveness for myself for the judgments I have made against myself and greater love for all in my life – without exception!
Take time to consider your “Touchstones.”
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