Flying lanterns...

I have long since believed that there is nothing that rewinds the clock, takes the mind to an altered state of childhood, to a place of pure joy and happiness than that of a Chinese flying lantern drifting lazily in the sky. It does not seem to matter if these lanterns were a part of your childhood but when you look at it in the sky you have this sense of awe and wonder - like a child seeing something for the very first time!

I have loved, adored and admired the sheer simplicity and brilliance of a Chinese flying lantern. Always wanted to be in a place where 1000's are sent up all at once. I have not yet had the chance... I will one day.

For me a lantern is more than just sending up a pretty something into the night sky and appreciating the beauty of it, no, it is far more than that to me. There is a ritual behind it for me, a wish sent up to the universe, a prayer sent up to God, a well wish on someone, a dedication to a person/s missed. A lantern has so much more meaning than it being a simple decoration that floats.

I have sent up a lantern for a loved on missed, a message to a family member that has passed from this world, a general shout out to anyone who sees it and a message of love, devotion and thanks to God. I start my little ritual by writing a message to the intended recipient, allowing the pen to carry all the emotion that I feel for that person to flow from the tip. I light the wick and wait patiently for the lantern to fill with air, waiting for it to start pulling upwards. Once I am satisfied that the pull is strong enough to keep the lantern afloat - I read the message out loud to the world. Out loud to the person who I intend to read it. Feeling the goose flesh cover my body as I do so - ensuring in my mind that the message will be delivered.

I let the lantern go - watch it float from my hands and watch as my icon, my symbol, my message of love and devotion reach towards the air and get tugged and pulled by the air currents. I get a warm feeling of sheer happiness in my heart, watching in awe as this simple little device floats higher and higher, becoming smaller and smaller, until it is like the stars in the sky. Just a pin-prick on the darkness of the night sky.

Just like that a star is born, a message is delivered and a wish fulfilled.

I have long since believed that there is nothing that rewinds the clock, takes the mind to an altered state of childhood, to a place of pure joy and happiness than that of a Chinese flying lantern drifting lazily in the sky.

Wouldn't you agree?

Keep it sunny-side up readers!
Ry

Things & stuff

I have long since been a collector of sorts, a hoarder, an appreciator of things and stuff that have personal value to me - items that have a sentimental value and have somehow played on my heartstrings. That is all good and well, however when those things become a burden, a reminder of a painful time is it time to let go? Do you have to let it go and let it be? Give up on the stuff?

Let me explain what I hoard: The things & stuff that I hold on to the strongest are memories, or items that invoke a memory that I never intended to forget. I write down important dates in my diary. I collect seashells so that I do not forget what the ocean looks like. I hold on to trinkets that were given to me by the man I love, to remind me of the love we have. Some stuff I hold on to even if they remind me of a painful time, as a constant reminder of growth and getting over the pain. I have so many things & stuff that remind me of the past - both good and bad.

Here is the problem with this nagging little flaw of mine: The more I hold on to my things & stuff, my memories so carefully collected, the more I distract myself from living in the present. When times are difficult I look at a thing to cheer me up and take me back to a happier time instead of dealing with the difficult time. When I am happy and in a good place, I run the risk of looking at a thing that will remind me of the pain I have suffered, completely bringing on a downer. These things & stuff have so much power over my life - it is actually concerning!

One evening when times were tough, I surrounded myself with all my things & stuff. All the happy times and bad times alike. A complete abundance of memories to keep me company when I feel alone. Suddenly I realised what I had managed to do with my life - I have built a cage of memories. A prison of reminders. Why would I do this to myself. Why would I allow these objects and things to have such power in my life, such a large degree of control and influence? Most of the trinkets have no real financial value, so I cannot even use that as an excuse - it was pure memory.

There I sat with tears flowing down my face as I started to destroy and remove each one of my trinkets. One by one I remembered its relevance and moved on - disposing of the thing when I was done. I was letting go. I had to let go for my own peace of mind, for my future. If my head is too full of the past how can I have room for the future? How can I grow when I have held on to old pain?

The result of my cleansing evening was a feeling of freedom. A feeling of being able to have a better and brighter future. I have more control now. I have taken back my power. My diary shall be the only evidence of my past. Will be the only trace of events past. Not in a bad way, not in a way to hold on, but purely as a reference for me should I feel the need to call on it.

It is amazing what joy or pain that can be given by a simple note that says: I love you
An ocean of happiness or a sea of pain can ensue and consume you for those moments. How much power is given to things & stuff.

To all those who have given some of their power away - may 2013 be the year of change for you. May it be a year where you get your power back - as you deserve.

Yours
Ry