"Sometimes silence is not an absence of sound but rather a presence of understanding."

- Richard Wagamese

Peaceful, Centered + Connected

I listened to the eclipse as closely as I watched it.

I made good on a promise to my daughter that April 8th would be our eclipse party day. She stayed home from school and was in charge of snacks. The spread included dragonfruit and pomegranate because both seem mysterious and require scientific research to slice and enjoy adequately. Her slender fingers tapped the screen of her phone.

How do you cut a pomegranate?

Why does the moon eclipse the sun?

I created a playlist. First Moondance, then You Are the Sunshine of my life. Next, Moonshadow and Here Comes the Sun. The cycle between Luna and Sol weaved through the list and to our ears.

We were better prepared for this eclipse than the previous. No makeshift viewers were needed. We had been gifted eclipse shades.

Clouds loomed. Would our party be a bust?

A prayer from the heart of this mother to Mother Nature. "My baby is home from school today. We have snacks and music. It's a party and she keeps asking if we'll be able to see with all these clouds. Please let us see through these clouds."

I stepped outside, estimated where the sun was, put my solar shades in place, and saw...nothing. With my neck craned toward the sky I waited. Clouds thinned and shifted and there they were - moon and sun. I gasped at the beauty. More clouds. I was transported back to the darkness behind my lenses. If the clouds moved once, they'd move again. I went inside to share the good news. Our guests of honor would be making an appearance.

Rolled-up beach towels served as our neck support and the driveway became our space lounge. Glasses in place, we waited in darkness. I listened, clouds shifted and sounds of pure joy and amazement came from my daughter. She was in awe. I smiled and whispered, "Thank you Mama Nature. Thank you." The world was quieting. I listened as the moon was making its move.

A rooster crowed. Birds chirped and got quieter as totality drew near until they fell completely silent.

Everything fell silent. Then something I did not expect.

The moon covered the sun and croaks replaced chirps. Somewhere in the silence the songs of the birds were substituted by the calls of the frogs.

Ahh, to be that connected.

The moon carried on its way—more silence. The frogs passed the opera back to the birds. It wasn't a competition it was a chorus.

Maybe everything sings when it's that connected?

Perhaps some snacks, some tunes, a prayer for a way to see and a small window of silence is a path to hear and honor all sounds.

Maybe everything sings.

Maybe everthing is that connected.

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​​A New Way to See the Good News

A new way to see the Good News is a short passage that may offer a fresh perspective or insight into the ancient collection of poems, letters, and stories known as the Bible.

And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

- Genesis 1:5

Throughout the creation story, the days are marked by a rhythm of evening and then morning. In the West we tend to mark the start of a day in the reverse order- morning then evening. What we can begin to understand in returning Christianity to its roots in the Mediterranean is that the values for darkness and night are the place of re-creation. The cycle of feasts and celebrations was very much more about the moon than the sun.

There was evening and then there was morning. Creation begins in the dark. ​​​​​​

Until next time.

Grace + Ease,

Tia

Ways to Connect One-on-One

I have created an additional option for visiting one-on-one in April.

The Offering from the Heart option exists for those who desire to visit one-on-one outside of the investment structure I currently offer connected to spiritual guidance, companionship, and coaching.

It is an offer rooted in trust, transparency, and mutual respect.

Learn more below and explore the option that best aligns with you.

$75.00 Single Session With Tia Single Session: You're searching for guidance from an experienced individual who can provide spiritual insight and... Read more Schedule your session

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$0.00 Offering from the Heart Single Session With Tia This option exists for those who desire to visit one-on-one outside of the $75 investment structure I currently offer... Read more Schedule Your Session

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At-Your-Pace Centering Prayer Course Coming Soon

Thank you to those that have joined the live course on Growing Closer to God Through Centering Prayer and those that sent messages my way sharing that you'd like to take the course but have schedule conflicts. The live course runs for two more weekends and I'll share some options on how you'll be able to learn in a schedule friendly way soon.