Episode 142

Roadblock

Art by Patty Piotrowski

Hello Singer of Wellness!

All italicized French words from "Roadblock" by Debbie Nargi-Brown.

This is a roadblock, not the end of the road.

When I get knocked down, I get back up again.

Patty Piotrowski, who creates all the extraordinary watercolors for A Breath of Song, says:

...this image came after a bike ride 

in the northeast Kingdom in 

October

We were on our way home and 

needed to cross this one lane 

bridge and there in front of us were 

a mother and baby moose

And we were clearly not going to 

go that way

It was a gift to stop and watch...

Have you been surprised by a roadblock that turned out to be a gift? And have you dragged yourself back to standing after being knocked down -- in the arena, working things out? Or have you taken an unexpected turn to adjust to a life change?

Life is not... what it seems.

My family in Burlington, Vermont, walked to a local park to see the total eclipse Monday -- an incredible reminder of how unusual life can be. It darkened the Northeast Kingdom... I wonder what those moose thought?! The happy noise of the 150-200 people gathered where we watched was a reminder of how friendly humans can build each other's joy up and up. 

To be honest, sometimes I'm a little intimidated by all of you friendly humans! This morning, I have 602 names to read into my living room, and that seems like a lot of real people listening to these podcasts, reading this letter! You are amazing folk -- each glimpse into a subscriber's life that I catch through a comment, email, or conversation, I am astonished, touched, delighted by the power of caring, the willingness to be vulnerable that you share with me.

When I get overwhelmed, dare I say roadblocked, by how many we are, I imagine us as a scatter of stars in a spiral galaxy; we make a pattern moving on our paths that I can't see from inside, and I am one of our many points of light.... I feel deeply glad to be among you.

"This whole registration process is VERY interesting. I really wasn't sure if or why I was coming to the retreat. Now, I'm really looking forward to the adventure (as well as the food and beauty of the place)."

We have our founding fifteen people gathered, and Rowe has opened this event up to their mailing list, too. There are six remaining spaces currently open.

I would be deeply excited and honored to host you at this four-day A Breath of Song retreat at the Rowe Center in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts from May 30th-June 2nd, 2024.

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Because reciprocity counts.
A gratitude jar allows us to receive from you--

and so you give to us who give A Breath of Song to you,
in a beautiful cycle of mutual tending.

Contribute on a one-time or recurring basis:
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Share, review, comment.
A world jam-packed with people
tuning in to themselves and each other would be
the best reciprocity imaginable.

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