it is about the willingness to touch.  it is about “i see you” and “i’m here.” it is about creating new language that can translate our offerings. and it is about infinite love.

it is about throwing it all off, becoming naked and new. it is about clean and solid and green.

it is about kneeling, adorning, and devotion. it is about timelessness, breath, and the beyond.

it is about light, freedom, and, of course, joy. it is about space, finding, and listening.

in the summer of 2009, i wrote this. i glued it in a book and took it with me to india. at the time, i felt an insatiable hunger for it to become true. i knew it to be real and possible, but had no idea how it would take form. this past week in big sur, i was able to see, clearly, that it has become so.

beauty is our birthright. our longings lead us to love.

and we are meant to gather.

with all my love for you, and yours.

The real story comes from a love-source that cannot be understood with intellect, but known only as a person is known. ~Coleman Barks

images taken at the esalen institute, during the maiden voyage of matrilumina. sincere thanks to my friends pixie, maya, and christine for creating, holding, and being.

On December 2nd, I participated in the first annual evening of “The Enlightened Heart: A Tribal Trust Artisan Collective.” This was an event organized among several artists to both have an opportunity to support the incredible efforts of the Tribal Trust Foundation and to share our creative endeavors. The Tribal Trust Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the living arts and culture of indigenous people around the world. I have had the pleasure of cultivating a friendship with Tribal Trust founder Barbara Savage over the past year and am so grateful and inspired by her presence in my life and on this earth. She has traveled extensively throughout Africa and Asia, and other parts of the world, following her own personal and spiritual calling to connect with and help indigenous people. She is a shining example of the force for good that happens when we follow the voices and messages deep within us.

The Enlightened Heart event was a lovely evening and I was honored to share in it. For my offering, I set up a mini-studio and invited people to hold, or wear, different tribal artifacts that Barbara has been gifted on her journeys. I believe that sacred items contain the energy of the hands that created them, and my intention was to create a representation of our connection to all people and traditions. I chose to process and crop them in the style of old world tribal portraits. Some are cheeky, some serious. I love them all! I also created greeting cards from nostalgia inspired iPhone images, that are now on sale in my temporarily re-opened Etsy store. The very talented John Balkwill at Lumino Press did the layout.  Check them out. I think you will find them quite beautiful.

It felt so wonderful to create again, after such an introspective period in my life. Thank you to the beautiful people who allowed me to photograph them! Enjoy the sampling below.

Barbara Savage and her husband, Bob Ornstein.

at times, i think i might die of poignancy. the bird that flew into my home the other day, looked me in the eye, and left peacefully. the layers of soundtracks and verses. the “chance” meetings that continue to happen, unsettling and exquisite all at once. the brush of wind on my inner arm. the visitors in my dreams. the hunger and madness i see everywhere.

i crave eye contact and whispers. new memories. light.

i want to laugh and to stop trying to be good.

i wonder how i am perceived. my expressionless face presumed stern, hard-lined, tough.

when really i am all water and warm soil. a lot of moon. a little mercury and spit. blood orange, pepper, and sweet rasmalai.

my body feels more lean. sensual. soft. tired.

travel. anywhere. leaving yesterday. what i wouldn’t give to be above the clouds heading somewhere where the narrator isn’t.

the battle is waning, if from nothing more than wearing out the rations. my heart is tucked in tenderly, after narrowly escaping the knife’s tip. massive blood loss. the chest wound is now sutured loosely with golden thread. at least that’s what it feels like.

i should probably eat breakfast.

i can’t forget to bring my daughter lunch today. and make her doctor’s appointment.

tomorrow is International Women’s Day. i’ll be on a small bridge in good company. you should, too.

Speaking of good company, I’m looking forward to Liesel’s free call tomorrow night. (sign-up. NOW.)

it is a choice. always. to feel joy. to be free.

this one really got me:

Sober up,
Steady your aim,
Reach in,
Turn the Universe and
The Beautiful Rascal,
Inside out.
~ Hafiz

today, i actually like the wind.

and i don’t care that my favorite cashmere sweater has holes under the arms.

at the end of it all, a good shake-down always holds the potential for perspective. and awakening.

for that, i am honestly, unshakably, grateful.

Taking a quick break from my quiet to share beauty and promote my talented friend and client. And be sure to read through to the end for a very special holiday offer!

I love beautiful adornment. But the pieces I wear must tell a story.  I love for a piece to carry the intention and inspiration of the artist who made it as well as the collective infusion of history in the metals, stones, and beads used to create it. Designs by Adesso do just that.

Adesso translated means “now” or “in the moment” in Italian. World traveler, artist, and Adesso creator Samantha Goldstone, has found that her local and far-away journeys influence her inspiration, materials, and design. Samantha finds treasures on each trip that are incorportated into her jewelry, making every collection uniqe with its own story. Every Adesso piece is an eclectic mix of vintage, modern, local and international style.

Adesso jewelry is created with a distinct combination of vintage and ethnic beads, semi-precious and precious stones and various metals, including sterling silver, gold, bronze and pewter. Samantha is particularly drawn to vintage glass, vintage African trade beads, antique silver and unusual semi-precious stones and charms.

As the photographer for the Adesso collection, and as a grateful friend, I feel lucky that Samantha is part of my tribe. We intend to continue our collaboration of talents into 2011 with plans to travel to far away places in search of beauty, connection, and opportunities to open doors. (hint: we are currently dreaming of a return to India!)

Perhaps most inspiring to me is that Samantha, a young adult cancer survivor, designs for several non-profits and donates a percentage of Adesso’s profits and time to important causes. Among those that Adesso supports are the Dream Foundation and the Tribal Trust Foundation.

AND…As a very special gift to Doorways Traveler readers, Adesso is offering a generous 40% discount on all currently listed collections (except for sale items) through December 31, 2010. Just visit the Adesso shop and enter the coupon code ADESSODOORWAYS when placing your order. Go ahead, gift yourself, or someone on your list, with beautiful adornment.

note: portions of Samantha’s bio information were borrowed from the Adesso site.