I’m on turtle time. This is my powerful reframe for some past negative beliefs and thoughts I’ve had about myself. I’m a late bloomer, and there was a time when some others, and I, believed that I was “slow”. I slept a lot when very young, was painfully shy, didn’t start talking quite on time, and I struggled all the way through school. I just wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer–at least that’s what I came to believe–and I lived up to the expectation for a long time.
I haven’t done much with my life according to the standards of western culture; I haven’t achieved much. I don’t have a husband, children, property, money, or advancing career. I haven’t kept up with the Joneses. And yet, I have found a richness in life that many don’t find in a lifetime, and an openness, too. Perhaps I’ve found this richness because I have moved through life slowly, taking all the time I need to come to terms with Life. In approaching life in turtle time, I see so much more than I would if I were racing through it like the hare.
Turtle is strong, committed, and grounded. Turtle is determined and has great courage. Turtle finishes the race. Turtle has taught me about presence and meditation, enabling me to see opportunity and possibility. Turtle is a worthy and welcome ally.
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Wonderful post — great personal assesment — and you print really perfect pictures with your posts. I enjoy them very much.
Thank you, June! And I enjoy your beautiful February Journal Quilt. It is lovely. And your theme of trees and birds is one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing.
I can really relate to this post of “going slowly”. My body has had Rheumatoid Arthritis since i was 36 years old – I am now 67, and it has forced me to go slowly. I used to rail against it, only creating more suffering, until i realized it was my gift. It took some time to get out of the “shoulds” and into the I’m OK going slow, but it has been a journey well worth taking.
Thank you for posting this lovely reminder!
Loved the interview you did with Marian Van Eyk McCain in ElderWoman Newsletter so I decided to stop in and take a look! Wonderful blog and pictures are so so awesome. With Deep Gratitude for ALL you do – christine
Carla, I just read about you on Marion’s site.
So much you share is me!! I have had different lifestyles but have returned to my roots – The Woods. Almost 2 years ago I decided to take up photography and document much for my grandchildren. The journey has been good for me.
Your images are beautiful, the turtle could be me, your writing touches my heart.
I will be checking in. Blessings to you from this One Woman on her journey through her 70′s.
i, too,found you via marion, and feel like i have made a new friend. in a lovely bit of serendipity, i am reading Barbara Brown Taylor’s beautiful Altar in the World, and your focus on being open and present to the ordinary beauties of our days echos her philosophy, and is obviously something i needed to bring into my life. thank you for sharing your fierce-but-gentle view of the world —– i will be returning often for more!
Lovely website! I will be back often!
Thanks for this one, Carla. I recently received guidance in my dreamtime that I create like a hare but transform like a turtle and until I take my time to transform, slowly and steadily, my creations will never be what I truly desire. Made perfect sense to me and here you give me a beautiful picture and a sense of this slow and committed medicine!
I love these “observations” and feelings you are sharing. Truly service to all who come here.
We is Us ~ Turtle Woman Rising, sistar, u in good company! http://earlyexpeditions.com/drum/drumming.html
Kendal, that looks awesome! I am honored to be in such good company! Wow!
Thank you, Patricia for sharing about your dreamtime!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing Sarah, Mauria, Ernestine, and Taru. I hope to see you again!
Love & Light