WUNJO - The Rune of Joy
Years ago I bought The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum. It's a handbook for the Spiritual Warrior and the rune stones are an oracle providing a mirror and a little magic for knowing yourself deeply. I've consulted these runes many times over the years and value the way they consistently bring my focus directly to the heart of the matter. Wunjo (joy) is a rune that repeatedly appears for me - an inner urge to follow my joy always. It's a good way for me.
Writing is something that brings me peace, joy and exhilaration to share my inner world. Writing helps me make sense of myself and my world. I started writing for myself in high school. Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way introduced me to Morning pages and they have been my friend for years.
Dad
I’m incredibly blessed to have a dad whose life path has taught me many valuable lessons in following my heart instead of following trends, money, job titles, or status. He’s led a simple, mostly drama free life (impressive considering a wife, 3 sisters, 2 daughters and, of course, the cats…) doing what he loves, being…
Grandpa
My grandpa, Hugo V. Kojola, aka Joe. To me, he was a funny, jolly man with a huge white bread, so naturally I thought he was Santa Claus for several years as a kid. He was a inventor, tinkerer and maker of many things in his basement workshop. He taught me to play a banjo,…
Diving
My dad took this photo of me diving when I was maybe 11 or 12. My young face looks so determined and also afraid. It’s been years since I’ve been on a diving board, but what I remember most about it, all those years and all those dives, is the vulnerability and the fear. There…
Bernie
I’m exploring what it’s like to be for my own beliefs and not against anyone else’s. It’s challenging not to be against someone that I whole heartedly disagree with, but I don’t need to understand to accept all shades of humanity. I believe that we need to quickly move forward with major course corrections to…
Happy
There’s a stuckness I’m grappling with and it’s all on me. There are no real barriers to my happiness other than my own willingness to be happy. I’m completely willing to be happy with my friends, with strangers, in public places. I love being kind, open, loving, and supportive with people in my life. It’s…
Alchemy
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist I love The Alchemist and have read it so many times. This is one of my favorite lines. I feel like the only explanation for my life is the universe conspiring to help me. Today…
Blossoms
This is one of my favorite stories: Subhuti was Buddha’s disciples. He was able to understand the potency of emptiness, the viewpoint that nothing exists except in its relationship of subjectivity and objectivity. One day Subhuti, in a mood of sublime emptiness, was sitting under a tree. Flowers began to fall all around him. “We…
Ocean
The ocean is part of my heart, my healing, my being, always. I walked towards the ocean today. The closer I got the bigger my feelings came rushing through me, out my eyes, down my face. I filled my lungs with misty air and kept going. I saw an old friend and she offered to…
Chairs
Many months ago someone put some Adirondack chairs at the edge of the bay along Pt San Pedro Rd. I’ve seen them there so many times and thought what a lovely idea it was; an invitation to sit & enjoy a beautiful view. Today I was on a walk, and I finally decided to sit…
Preacher
I’ve been a Minister with the Universal Life Church since August 2000, when my dear friend, mentor and Goddess Mother, Evelyn Hall, gave me a blessing and invitation to perform my own ceremonies after completing a 3 day Vision Quest ceremony with her, as well as several years of guided inquiry into my relationship with my…
Uluru
At Ayers Rock (Uluru) – August 2000 Big, red belly protruding from the Earth Native wisdom echoes from the Dreamtime Your famous pigment radiating fully In glorious moments of rising sunlight Dawn follows dusk over the arc of time Illuminating the secret caves and sensuous curves Of the Rainbow Serpent’s home Sun scorched and wind…
Stars
I’ve always loved stars. I love how we call them ’the stars.’ I like most the feeling I get when I am outside at night and I look up and remember that they are there. For me, the stars are proof of something, but I can’t say what. It’s beyond the periphery of my awareness,…