Love Letter Thursday
5.22.13
Pittsburgh, PA
Sometimes it is best to let someone else do the talking. This week, I offer you these beautiful song lyrics:
PERHAPS LOVE (John Denver)
Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble when you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home
Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself and don’t know what to do
The memory of love will see you through
Love to some is like a cloud, to some as strong as steel
For some a way of living, for some a way to feel
And some say love is holding on and some say letting go
And some say love is everything, and some say they don’t know
Perhaps love is like the ocean, full of conflict, full of pain
Like a fire when it’s cold outside, thunder when it rains
If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you
Some say love is holding on and some say letting go
Some say love is everything and some say they don’t know
Perhaps love is like the mountains, full og conflict, full of change
Like a fire when it’s cold outside, thunder when it rains
If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you
Take Action
“Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more…”
I suggest that you sit quietly and read this poem to yourself. Afterwards, notice the quality of your breathing. Notice how you are holding your body. Be aware of very subtle shifts, thoughts, sensations that you may be experiencing in your body, mind and energy as you connect with the meaning behind the words of this poem through the action of reading. Then, read these instructions and take five minutes with your eyes closed to enjoy the visualization. Set a timer so you can really relax. Enjoy!
Visualization Instructions
After reading the poem and observing how you feel, very gently close your eyes. Imagine yourself in an open room. You feel safe and confident. Notice that there is an open window and walk to the window so you can get a better look outside. When you look outside, visualize the most beautiful natural scene imaginable. If you love the ocean, include the ocean in your scene. If you love mountains, put some mountains outside your window. Relax into this beautiful scene as you realize that the window is at the ground level and it is possible for you to simply hop through and physically explore your scene. Explore without the boundaries of human experience—see into the core of your mountain or feel each grain of sand of your desert or notice that you can see to the floor of the ocean. With each touch, smell, emotion, sight and texture you are able to dive deeper and deeper into your scene. When you are done, you find that you automatically know the way back to your open room. When your five minute timer has sounded, open your eyes and come back into your space knowing that this beautiful world is always in your heart ready to be explored. You are there right now. Be. Be Happy. Be.
I’d love to know about what you choose to see outside your window and how you experience this visualization. Or, perhaps this poem spoke to you in a special way that you’d like to share? Please share your experience in the comments section below.
Posted by Sharon Rudyk, a yoga instructor and doula based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Find out more about Sharon here.
