By Lisa Steele-Maley,
Last night, as I stood under the stars, the waxing crescent moon caught my eye. Over the next ten days, its light will steadily grow until it is high in the sky, illuminating the midnight field as if it were twilight. I imagine the snow and ice will continue their slow and steady melt during that same time.
The signs of spring are clear. The eaves of the roof are dripping steadily. In the morning, the smell of the skunk who passed by in the night lingers and the early birds persistently declare their presence. The critters are stirring. It is no wonder that I am stirring too.
I am a lover of light. My body is fully aware that we are nearing the spring equinox. The current cycle of the moon amplifies that recognition. Longer, brighter, warmer days infuse my body with energy, my mind with creativity, and my heart with gratitude. Bright moonlit nights encourage me to linger on my evening walk.
While the light is growing, the darkness is receding. There is a gentle gestation that can only happen under the shroud of darkness and the deep, contemplative hibernation of winter. It is hard to simply let go of the safety and comfort of the dark cave that has held and nurtured me through the previous long months. But when I honor it and give thanks for it, I can hold both the shrinking, dark coolness and the expanding, bright warmth with equal appreciation.
I am reminded to remain present. There is abundant beauty, love, and learning in each moment. I feel them deeply when I attend to the reality that each moment contains the delicate balance between light and dark, expansion and contraction. The present moment is the only time and place to experience the fullness of life’s offering.
An excerpt from Arriving Here: Reflections from the Hearth and Trail, now available at your local bookstore or online. Learn more, read reviews, and order. Register for the book launch March 10, 17, 24.
In her actions and her words, Lisa Steele-Maley weaves together her roles as mother, daughter, wife, writer, and educator. Ordained by the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine (ChIME) in 2019, Lisa nurtures the fierce and tender connections between self, spirit, land, and community. Her writing reflects a strong connection to the affirming rhythms of the natural world and keen attention to the details of daily living and relationships.
Lisa lives in an aging farmhouse on the coast of Maine with her husband, two teenage sons, and a handful of animals. Her newest book, Arriving Here: Reflections from the Heart and Trail, was published in December 2020. Learn more at lisa.steelemaley.io.
Arriving Here cover photograph by Lisa Steele-Maley, book cover design by Lindy Gifford.
