Desert Rain

I woke up this morning to rain that lasted for hoursIn the middle of summer. In the desert.I think life is inviting me to set asideWhat I think I knowTo simply beAnd to witness its unfoldingAs my ownNot based on my thoughts, or even my experienceBut rooted in openness - receiving and relatingWith ample space for surpriseDid you know trees have pulses?We didn’t know it for the longest timeBecause our human heartbeats are fast: 70-90 beats per minuteBut the capillary action that pumps water from the roots to the crown of a treeAnd pulls down the carbon for sequestrationTakes many hours for a single ‘beat’But by no means does that reduce the value of its actionIndeed, it makes it more preciseResponding to how much water is in the soilThe temperature and requirements of the dayIf I can slow myself down into ‘tree time’How much more perceptive can I be?How much more would I be willing to see?When you’re operating so deliberatelyIs there room for expectation?When we’re busy letting our hearts blend heaven and earthAs we’re all naturally created to doI want to sit in the possibilityThat my inherent design is enoughI don’t need to plan my improvementI think goal setting is a lot like candyIt’s designed to be colorful and tastyA bit addictive, a whole lot of tummy achesFor me, at least at this moment, of dubious nutritional valueThere’s real freedom in slowing down, acceptingAn expansiveness that isn’t compelled to predict what’s nextA receptivity to the full host of possibilitiesThat’s where my juice isI moved here thinking one thingAnd life is already showing me otherwiseI’m especially lucky because I’m fresh out of ideas of what should beSo can be especially receptive to what comes as it comesBecause I’m really not interested in writing my own storyI’m interested in our story, life’s story, and the power of this moment, as it isI want to be slow like the treeSo I can fully feel the relief And take in the refreshmentOf the unexpected desert rainArriving right on (its own) time This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fallingtenderly.substack.com