Welcoming July With Presence
Welcoming July With Presence
Longer Days. Lush Fruit. Open hearts
Hello Friend!
Happy 7th day of the month of July. What does this month evoke for you? I love the longer days of July…the varieties of fresh, local tomatoes and blueberries…watching fireflies at night.
Even as an adult with work and family and caretaking responsibilities, July takes me to a magical place of freedom from school. Time to nurture my imagination.
Even as we carry our personal challenges and also feel the weight of pain and conflict in the world, we can take pleasure and delight in this season. In this month, in this day, in this moment.
I’ve picked the theme of Presence for July so we can explore this idea through our creative prompts. We’ll start by writing our blessing or intention for the month and then look at presence through signs and symbols, poetry and meditation.
We can be present for all of the things, all of of the feelings, all of the struggles, all of the beauty.
We are here. In this moment. Alive.
Quick detour on the presence theme before we write:
Birds.
Last week, I was in a marshy part of Delaware where all kinds of different birds live: herons, egrets, swans, owls, hawks (to name a few). A friend of mine told me about the Merlin app—it’s a free app that identifies the birds that you see and hear.
The range of birds by the marsh was astonishing but back in my little town, just outside of Philadelphia, I open Merlin while I walk and discover more birds than I realized live here. On an average walk, I’ll hear ten or fifteen different birds.
I’ve started to identify their calls: the house sparrow, the northern cardinal, the goldfinch.
It’s another way I can practice being present. I step away from my busy thoughts. I listen for the birds. I pay attention to who I’m sharing this landscape with.
I’d love to hear about the practices you engage in to be present. Let’s share and grow our ideas.
Writing a blessing for July
If you have a friend who might like to join us for the month of Presence, invite them to play!
Writing Practice: Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday.
Prompt: For your blessing for the month of July, make a list of all of the things that give you simple pleasure, that nurture your spirit, that help you to connect to the moment.
Write your blessing for the month of July by offering gratitude for the pleasures that this month brings. Ask for help with your challenges. Write out any hopes or intentions for the month ahead.
Some phrases to get you started writing:
This July, I’m thankful for…
I love that July brings…
I feel present when I…
This month, I hope to…
My prayer for myself/my loved ones/the world is…
Place your July prayer/intentions somewhere that you’ll see it as you start your day.
I’d love to read your July expressions! Leave a comment here or try the messaging app.
Deepening Practice: If you typed your monthly intentions, try writing them out again by hand. Take markers, pens, watercolors or pastels and add some color to them. Highlight words that feel most important to you. Collage images around them. Place your July intentions somewhere you’ll see them regularly. Add to them through the month.
Summer Creativity Recharge begins Thursday. Join the fun!
For you. A coupon code for $7 off the circle: EFYY8GNA
Wishing you a week of presence, pleasure and possibility! Love, Gabrielle Ariella