A few years back,

I spent 10 days by myself on the island.  My home base was this secluded villa at the furthest northern point of Patmos. Each day, I looked out at this view.  The only sound: water, wind.  My only requirement: breathe, release.

The poem below speaks to me about this idea of surrender— we all find it in our own ways.  For me, the grandeur of the spectacular vistas I find on Patmos help me to feel humble and hold on to nothing.  

 That surrender calls me to live with hands wide open; less clinging and more releasing.  

 Life is full of hard stuff and beautiful stuff— it comes at us —it sucks us in, it lifts us up, it disappoints, it takes our breath away.  Our reality gets rearranged without anyone consulting us or asking for our permission.  Every day it asks us what we are made of…and with our lives, we make our answers.  EL