Friday, November 24, 2006

Not Safe. Not Comfortable. But Right.

Sunday, November 19 ~ Albuquerque, New Mexico


My first stop, after I left Arizona two years ago, was California. My second was New Mexico. Ever since, I've felt pulled back and forth between the two states like the pendulum on some arrhythmical grandfather clock.

Live events aside, I've spent more time in California and New Mexico than anywhere else in the country.

It doesn't hurt that my daughter lives in Sedona, Arizona, midway between the two. But that's a convenience, not a reason.

Today, still haunted by yesterday's "safe and comfortable" revelation, I drive to one of the hiking trails in the Sandia Mountains that buttress Albuquerque's east side.

Through all my travels, the Sandias have always provided an anchor for me, a place to reground, realign and reset my compass. It's these mountains, more than Albuquerque, that keeps bringing me back.

"Okay," I ask the mountains, my spirit guides, God, the Universe and all other aspects of the oneness that, ultimately, are me, "what's going on for me with New Mexico and California?"

The answers stunned me, but shouldn't have, given, once again, what I wrote in The Wisdom-Keeper Training only days ago.

What I heard was, to quote The Beverly Hillbillies theme song: "Californy is the place you ought to be."

And, like for Jed and Granny Clampett back in the '60s, not just any place in Californy. Los Angeles.

"If you want to keep moving," I heard, "you need to be where the movers and shakers are. For you, that's L.A.. Safe and comfortable is for retirees."

Oh.

"Of all the gin joints in all the world" (to maintain my Hollywood metaphor -- the quote's from Casablanca), I never, ever would consciously choose L.A.

San Diego, maybe. But not L.A.

Yet when I recover enough from my feelings of intimidation and overwhelm to look deep inside, I have to admit that it feels right. Not safe. Not comfortable. But right.

That's why my takes on the concept of choice, free will and reality creation are different from those of many in spiritual/metaphysical circles.

Others insist that all we have to do is call in what we want.

I say that my heart's highest desire may well lie beyond the realm of my human ability to want, know and imagine.

The choice I make in every moment is to surrender to the highest imperative, highest will and highest potential I can allow into my life and energy field.

After all, in creating the biblical world in seven days, God didn't manufacture, s/he allowed.

"The earth was formless and empty..." Genesis reports, "and God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."

And so, without knowing what it means, how it comes together and what it looks like, I surrender in this moment to the City of Angels and call on those very same angels to ease the way.

In this moment, because I also know that guidance and direction aren't always what they seem. We humans easily and unconsciously extrapolate incorrect or incomplete meaning and outcome from the guideposts that line our path.

Does this mean I will live in L.A.? Perhaps.

Does this mean I will make significant and synchronistic contacts and connections in L.A.? Possibly.

Does this mean something else altogether? More than likely.

Does this mean I'm done with New Mexico? Probably not.

All I can do is surrender in the moment and follow the highest path wherever it takes me.

Friday, it takes me for a few days to Marina del Rey, in the L.A. area -- the result of an unanticipated synchronicity. From there...???

You'll know when I do.

Top photo by Mark David Gerson: Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque
Art image by Mark David Gerson: "Unlimited Expansion" (Sandia Mountains)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Mark David,
Your comments and the word "synchronicity" gave me chills as I read this. Recently I was near the L.A. area, my first time there in over 10 years. While there I felt and can still feel wheels of transition turning in my life. Though the event that drew me there was an unexpected ending and great loss, I can see all the possibilities of "beginnings" and "life anew" which stem from it. It is time to get out from under my rock and live again. I don't know where the path will lead but I do not need to know; I just need to surrender to what I am being shown. Though I am now back in the Midwest, I feel drawn to return to California, whether it be simply the feeling of renewal I found there, or a physical move via the connections I have made there, I do not know. Who knows, perhaps our paths shall cross again!

Anonymous said...

Dear Friend,

Thanks for sharing your California experiences. I respond tonight (Tuesday, 11/28) from Southern California, after having spent four days in the greater Los Angeles area.

Clearly, as do you, I can only speak for myself. But my time here has been a confirmation of my sensings around settling here.

All I can do is say yes, claim this as my home and wait for further instructions and openings. Which I will do.

It would be wonderful if our paths were to cross again here...but as you didn't sign your post, I won't know it's happening when they do!

Blessings,
Mark David

Anonymous said...

Hi, Mark David!

Sorry I did not leave my name. It's Karen. I met you three times in Michigan during the past 2 years (once at Joan's and twice at Bob and Diane's).
Just this evening I got the ball rolling by taking the examination to be considered for state job openings in that area. I'm not sure how the logistics would all work out, but I guess I need to let it go, and if it is meant to be, then the Universe will make it happen. Whenever I do ponder the possibility of relocating there, I feel more alive than I have in years! As always, the tales of your journey are inspiring, and remind me how logistics really do work themselves out (hence, let go of the fear!) It would be ironic, and wonderful, to cross paths again there -- Karen

Anonymous said...

Hey, Karen! Good to hear from you.

If you haven't seen it yet, I think you'll find that today's newsletter (11/30/06) speaks to some of the issues you raised.

And, yes, it would be ironic and wonderful to reconnect out here.

Blessings,
Mark David