©Danise Codekas, December 18, 2012,
“Just as a mirror, which reflects all things, is set in its own container, so too the rational soul is placed in the fragile container of the body. In this way, the body is governed in its earthly life by the soul, and the soul contemplates heavenly things through faith.”--HILDEGARD OF BINDEN, letter to the Monk Guibert, 1175
It is a long time between posts and a writer sometimes finds it necessary to cogitate on what is transpiring in her life.
As many of you know, 8 months ago I began a new journey which was set off by a series of dreams in the months preceding the adventures.
9000 miles of driving, in the United States, displays on my odometer since May. The car has never been completely unpacked, nor cleaned since departing the Pacific Northwest. I returned to the Northwest two times, and spent 5 days there first return, then two weeks there the second.
Sometimes returning from the departure point is necessary because there is unfinished relationships, a wide-angle view is needed to see the new location one is thinking about, or, because there is no sure direction, since limbo precedes direction and the next indicated path in one’s life.
I cannot explain the feelings, fears and revelations which accompanied me across mountains, plains and deserts. If you are on a journey such as mine, a pilgrimage of unknown distance and time, you will understand what I may not be able to explain in words.
Perhaps my dreams, preceding my travels, can be explained by this quote, below, by George Eliot. She explains my current pilgrimage best.
“A supreme love, a motive that gives a sublime rhythm to a woman's life, and exalts habit into partnership with the soul's highest needs, is not to be had where and how she wills: to know that high initiation, she must often tread where it is hard to tread, and feel the chill air, and watch through darkness. It is not true that love makes things easy: it makes us choose what is difficult.”--GEORGE ELIOT, Felix Holt
It is a profound time for me to look inward and outward. Thousands of photographs taken, many words fill pages of the travel journal, unique encounters with people who were kind to a stranger, canyons and hotels and homes that provided a roof, a warm place to rest and write.
Unique, extra-ordinary people met, physical challenges overcome, amazing vistas, foods and animals and sunrises followed by sunsets remembered and photographed.
I find myself, this Christmas Holiday time, like so many of you, on a cusp of change meandering across my path. I feel as if an amazing event is hurtling toward me. A home and hearth will draw me in and community and friends will surround this place on earth.
My wish before the year ends, for the kickoff of the next year of my life is a home, wonderful editing, writing and PR work contracts, and a driveway for my car to rest.
Passion fuels me along in my writing and PR and photojournalist opportunities are slowly arising to fuel my body, car and soul along the way for which I am eternally grateful.
Good health, more wisdom and more compassionate interactions with those I meet along the way, I hope, fills my ethereal Christmas stocking.
The changes we see around us, the ones we call into our lives, have to be understood, sometimes as lessons, and sometimes as simple joys sent across the cosmos. It is really only a matter of getting back to the perfection we all were, at one time, when we took our first breaths. Almost every step I take brings me closer to that state of Grace, I hope.
May this time of sharing and remembering be filled with joy, contemplation, love, renewal and completion for you. Let the past go.
Drive On in Faith.
“Love consists in this, that two solitudes protect and border and salute each other.”--RAINER MARIA RILKE, Letters to a Young Poet
