I have read some of the responses from earlier writers today and I found myself laughing, sighing and even had a tear filled eye at one point.

The gift of touch has somehow become fraught with "stuff" - I remember when this was so for me and in some ways, it is still so for me depending upon the genre of touch. Example - I do not appreciate being tickled at all. Don't even come near me with the intent to tickle or you will see my (rarely used) powerful wrath in all its exuberant wonder.

Soulful touch is a means for connection wordlessly, silently, in a sacred sense. When words and language can't say what needs to be said, touch can do our communicating.

I am also a hugger. My hugs are actually well known among my friends because they are not standard issue, half-there hugs, they are deeply breathed, heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul hugs.

Ahhhh. I think I will seek one of those today!

I want to make a film about soulness - sharing it, growing it, igniting it, being deep within it.

I had this idea ohhhh... a bit over a year ago, just haven't brought it to fruition yet.

exactly the person I am.

Consistently learning, growing, living in the pulse of the moment.

A friend gave me the gift of a question.

We would spend time together, incredible time. Joyful time. Possibility filled time.

Then I would go home, alone, and reflect.

"If this is all there is, is it enough?" I would ask myself.

It became the rudder with which I steered my ship - the ship of that relationship and the ship of my life, because it fits for everything.

If it isn't enough - and the answer is no, I am guided to tweak, retreat or restore.

If the answer is "Yes", then I can keep walking forward in that direction.

It is so simple, because "enough" means "just right" to me. It fits, like a great pair of soft-slightly-but-not-too-faded jeans. Enough feels like Baby Bears porridge on my tongue when I take it into my mouth. Not too hot, not too cold.

Enough is the gentle cool breeze against my skin on a Spring morning, divinely delivered so that I can write, freely and joyfully at my porch desk.

Enough is music that accompanies me as I create - and then voices speaking French and German - so I don't understand the words.... yet I can feel the energy, the passion, the curve of each syllable. It is enough, I don't need to know "what" they are saying beyond that curve, it is enough.

I try to make trying new things a way of life.

The most recent specific thing happened on Saturday evening. It was joyful on many levels and tasted delicious... cheesecake, mindfully shared with a friend.

To dwell in the pulse of the moment - to be present to each nudging, each calling, each invitation. This week I have been praying the same prayer, every day, from Carolyn Myss' book, "Entering the Castle."

I have prayed to be open, to open myself to Divinity, to Surrender, to be a channel for grace.... and it has been.... soul opening.

Yesterday I had an a-ha about my process as a human being. Sometimes I get frustrated... and focus on product, product, product (which tends to veer off, if I am not conscious, into future orientation) rather than process, process, process.

As so often, I had this burst of light and awareness that my process IS my product.

Here, as I type, is a distinct example of this phenomenon.

I realize, too, that being a channel for grace is something I do quite naturally in just being who I am. People truly enjoy just hanging out with me, being me.

Yesterday I managed to get a pair of loaner glasses for Emma, since hers broke - she was looking at waiting for a week for a replacement.... I just sat there, talking about Emma in all her Emma-ness and the technician said, "Hey, would you like a loaner pair?"

No charge, nothing.

I had gotten new contact lenses but life intervened and I couldn't make it to my check-in appointment. I sorta arrived with my tail between my legs as I was getting Emma's glasses replaced and purchasing refill contacts for Katherine.

They were cool with my lack-of-show and gave me an extra contact lense for myself (gratis) and scheduled a check in next Friday, which will be about the time I pick up Emma's glasses.

Before I went into the eye doc I gave myself a little warm-up speech about attitude. That I could be all ornery and cranky about the money I was spending, I could make excuses about not showing up for my check-in appointment, or I could just be me, a channel of grace.

I was startled at how beautifully things turned out, how helpful everyone was and how much laughter was shared in a place where I am usually not-so-pleased by the time I leave. (Eye wear can get expensive!)

So - my highest calling today and every day is to stay conscious and present and whole.

To be that channel for grace, for divinity, for all that I know is right and good and pure.

Yes. That says it just right.

I hold up my soul's mirror and reflect the truth I see reflected from their soul, back to me.

I honor their uniqueness, without judgment.

I smile at them, nod towards them, hearing the words they speak, noticing the actions and inactions they take. I let them know I am with them.

I speak of what I see.

I compliment what I experience.

I encourage towards an increase.

I give myself.

I become vulnerable.

I expect only the greatest good.

I surrender, I celebrate, I converse, I rejoice.

Greatness - then - increases and increases and increases.

I show someone I love them by becoming the person I am meant to be and reflecting back to them the wonder of who they are exactly in this moment while, at the same time, standing for their hopes, dreams, desires as a human being.

I show someone I love them by letting go of them every moment in every day while staying fully present as well.

I show someone I love them by accepting their gifts, their talents, their strengths with the same energy with which I accept their weaknesses, their different abilities, their "failings" -

I show someone I love them by listening to their heart, soul, and spirit and compassionately walking with them as they find their way.

I am sure there is much, much more... but I didn't want to leave the question unanswered.

I thought this morning about my favorite spots in nature and realized I don't have to go ANYWHERE to enjoy nature. My favorite spot in nature is actually right in my yard. My lavendar delights me, so that's where I spent some time early this morning, not even noticing at first the calvalcade of roses behind me, nor did I remember to bow in wonder over the enormous pine tree in my neighbor's yard, you can see it there, behind my other neighbor's house.

One of the best ways I can love my planet is to love my yard, to grow life there, to enjoy it, to relish in it, to celebrate it.

I feel myself chewing on this one.

My relationship with conflict is improving - in that I am more comfortable with it. I don't run when I see it coming, I don't leap in the air in delight from it, either... though when it is present, I don't immediately fall out of presence, either.

I think I will take this one to my notebook.....