Carelessly by PrisciPoletmusic

Carelessly is a beautiful melody composed by singer/songwriter Prisci Polet.  It's simply complex.  Lyrically,  she compliments sincere piano composition, played by Polet herself.   Passionate, honest, and the sense of eternal love explodes throughout the song. 

Deep Thought by Joe Welsh

This painting reminds me of those moments when we get lost in our own thoughts.  You know how we can think long deep thoughts that drift away into what I call "The Other World."  Everything around us seems so distant, sometimes we don't realize the beauty around us.  I love the colors chosen here as well.  Blue and Green are the basic colors of life.  Green... I think of earth and blue ... I think of water.  I like the fact that the wooden "processed" person doesn't have a definite gender, race, or agenda.  Our wooden friend is simply within itself and by itself... much like we all are when were in "Deep Thought."   Thank you Joe Welsh.

The Present Moment is the Present Gift

Whatever comes to mind are probably the thoughts that have perpetually ruined my free perspective.  The free perspective is when I have absolutely no thoughts about the possibilities of tomorrow and I don’t care about my mind’s interpretation of what has already occurred.  In this free perspective, I accept all things as they are, appreciating the moment’s uniqueness, and allowing myself to enjoy everything around me.

I’ve recently arrived to a place of sincere gratitude.  Life will never go as I think it will and it’s a shame that we, as in the human race, don’t spend more time teaching each other these things.  Well, in actuality, we are doing just that but I would like to become a part of a community of people that are intentionally discovering their free perspective.

I recently arrived back to Atlanta from my “wilderness” period.  I have to say that I absolutely love this place and the people in it. My love ones are here and I believe with all my heart that there’s a special group of talent that exist here.  What do I mean by talent?  There’s a growing community of free spirits here and I have accepted that in order for me to “make it” anywhere, I have to start where I am.  I believe that everything in this life starts in the moment, because how can we possibly get that special “moment” that we’ve always dreamed of unless we start with the moment of NOW.

Every new moment has become a new opportunity for me to push a little harder to become present.  For how can any “star” shine without presence?  I can see the simplicities of life as they are and I welcome everything within every new moment with love.  I let go of all judgments, expectations, fears, doubts, and opinions, then I am able to consciously breathe life.  This is the stage of awareness that my heart longs for because in this place there is a surpassing of peace.

My grandmother has  recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, a distant aunt on my father’s side just passed away yesterday,  and, quite frankly, I’m low on funds.  All the while, I honestly believe that all is well and is working out the way it's suppose to.  I'm in a good space, in fact a much better space facing in this direction.   There’s something about this free perspective that deletes all my "problems."

What is it about this way of NOT thinking?  It allows me to consciously choose to accept things as they are and to make the choice to seek peace with the facts of life as they show up.  Accepting that everything is on its own timing. There’s nothing that I can do about these things except accept them.  I must accept them.  

Life’s too short to sweat the things I have no control over.  The times of life are unfolding as is, whether I agree with  what happens or not.

Worrying, doubting, questioning, and judging life is only a means to develop an opinion that ultimately doesn't matter.  But, thanks to the creator… we all have the power to change ourselves, our perspectives, our thoughts, our beliefs, and therefore, our lives which will automatically change others. 

Like the One-Eyed Owl

Here in the “wilderness” I have been randomly selected to participate in Bird Training, which means that I have the opportunity to learn more about Ornithology and I get to do cool things like carry around raptures, like a Red Tailed Hawk and a few owls, feed them dead mice, and eventually I’ll have the skills to teach and present to children all this wealth of knowledge I gain. 

At 7:50 am, I pulled my Rock Port hiking shoe laces as tight as I could bare, grabbed my vegan snacks (yep, I’m vegan now) of fresh carrots and celery, and headed out the back door to our trail that leads to the Bird houses.  Excited and tempted to sing the Smurf song, I nearly skipped all the way to my new training grounds.

Ready to go, another colleague and I arrived almost simultaneously.   There was already a trained staff member cleaning the mews that house the birds.  When I walked into the lab room that temporarily cages birds during classes, there was a scent that I will never forget.  It didn’t quite repel me as much as the Turkey Vulture smells. Turkey vultures have a habit of vomiting on themselves and everything around them to cool down.  Thankfully we don’t house vultures of any kind, because I would have to turn down bird training because the smell will literally make me sick. 

Yuk.  Now I’m getting nauseas writing about it

Eager to train us,  we too were eager to learn and get started. I carefully watched and listen to every direction our trainer provided on how to properly tie and position the birds on our leather gloves, using jesses and a fake stuffed owl.  After spending about a half hour practicing the proper technique,  we dropped our stuffed friend on the table and headed to the mews.

Because it was my first day, we were told to handle the one of the little owls first.  The owl that destiny chose for me to meet is blinded in his right eye because he was hit by a truck on the highway.  Yeah, this owl is a survivor and that’s why I was so happy to have him with me during my first bird carrying experience. 

Slightly grumpy, he looked at me through his one eye and sized me up.

“Who are you,”  said his expression. 

I moved slowly and calmly and perched my figures up as the trainer instructed.

“Hello, I’m Prisci.”  I calmly introduced myself.  “Nice to meet you.”

Carefully, I locked him off in my glove and walked around our presentation space comfortably holding him on my pointer fingers.

He was definitely not comfortable.

“I don’t know you lady.  And besides, I’m grumpy. Why did you have to wake me up?!” I heard him say this as he tried his best to peck my fingers off through the thick leather clove.  It was actually kind of cute. Look at us, already having a love hate relationship…Ha.

Eventually, my little friend calmed down and he let me touch his feathers.  From what I’m told, birds don’t like to be touched… it messes up their feathers… but he let me.

I wouldn’t doubt if he could sense our connection.

Just like my little owl friend, I’ve been through a hell of a lot.  I grew up in a dramatic scenario with my parents’ separation, by middle school my family had to make a drastic decision to move overseas, leaving family and peers behind.  Let’s see I moved again … and again … And I was pretty much the new girl in school throughout middle and high school.  In my naïve days, I was kidnapped by someone who I later found out was a FELON,  I’ve been sexually offended , I’ve been abandoned by “love ones,”  I was tricked by people who preyed on my musical talents and dreams, lied to and stolen from by a mentor.

 Geese.. now that I think about it, I mind as well sum it all up and say that I was hit by a truck too because I was VERY suicidal. Thankfully, I survived it all and after I was centered and I was rescued by love, just like my little owl friend. We’ve both accepted our calling to use our bruises and scars to inspire and educate others. 

So that’s what I do. I mean, that’s what WE, survivors, do.

And all though my owl friend and I may have had a rough start, with each other and a rough start in life, our purposes in this world are quite similar.



My first time.. was the BEST TIME!

I've had the BEST weekend ever... Not only did I get a chance to chill with some cool people and go out of the wilderness for a bit... I was able to go on a boat trip and wakeboard... for my first time.

I honestly didn't think that I was going to be in the water that day.  I was dressed in my "chill out" clothes.  You know a long wrap dress and nice t-shirt... sandles.  I didn't have a bathing suit, I was planning to literally.. CHILL.

SO, here's how I was convienced to get into the water. After riding and watching everyone enjoy the Lake water, a collegue of mine gave me a challenge, and if you know anything about me.. the one thing you know is that I DO NOT turn down challenges too often.  It's a strength and weakness but this time I was so glad I decided to take on her bet.

"Prisci's not dressed to get in the water." as I layed back in the sun and enjoyed the ride.

"So, Prisci.. the only way I'm going to wakeboard is if you do," and there came the pressure.  Well, honestly it wasn't that much because I secretly wanted to feel the cold water, that occasionally splashed on my arm, to be all over my body.

After a few more probes, I finally got the nerve to just switch bottoms and tops with two of my co-workers... and I went for it. 

I strapped on a life vest.  Listened carefully to the instructions that Nate, the owner of the boat and the professional water wakeboarder, gave so profoundly. 

There were a few girls that went before this "challenge" came about.  Only one other girl managed to get above the water before me... but I observed their every move, even though, initially, I wasn't planning on getting in. 

I'm so thankful I did.  I had the time of my life.

My first time.. was literally the best time.. because on my FIRST TRY I was on top of the water. Holding on, in amazement at myself, my 60 second adventure ended as my excitement and unbelief got the best of me.  But, like the defiante leo that I am, I got up and did it all over again..

It feels so good to allow life to just happen these days.  I wasn't planning on going on a boat this weekend.. but it happen because my energy allowed it.. and that feels good to know that I'm responsible for ALLOWING such a beautiful experience with such beautiful people. 

Dancing in the Rain

There are a few things that everyone wants do in their life, at least once, before they die.  One of my “To Do’s” was accomplished yesterday, on a Tuesday night.  After a long day of walking trails, shadowing another colleague in an ornithology class, and spending time doing lab work in the administrative office, my colleagues and I randomly congregated at one of the cabins.  

Earlier during the day, I was coaching myself through a down moment again.  Monitoring my feelings, I needed to focus on creating positive thoughts and feelings about where I am.  After listening to one of my favorite motivational speakers, Abraham Hicks, I was set to look for the things in my life that easily reflect the abundance I desire.

“Notice the abundance of the trees, the amount of leaves that are on each of them.  Notice the abundance of grains of dirt that it takes to make the fields and trails that I walk on every day. Notice the abundance of clouds in the sky.”  These are the directions I gave to myself as I aimed to get back into a place where I could feel abundant about life again. Ahh.. It worked. 

The truth is guys, as much as I try to stay positive, I sometimes struggle with it.  The good thing is I’ve been able to get myself back on track a lot faster lately.  I’ve learned that it’s not about trying to STOP thinking negatively, but it’s about trying to think more positive more frequently.  It’s a process that will exist until my new habits take over and become a part of my character.  

So, as I made the decision to change my perspective, I got off work and low and behold a celebration awaited me.  I walked up to our cabins and the majority of my colleagues stood outside eating chili made by a very sweet girl who loves to be the group’s Betty Crocker.   We drank beer, put some dance party music on, and when the lighting and thunder interrupted our conversations, we celebrated shouting “Rain!! Rain!” as if we were Native Americans thanking the heavens for watering our crops.

I never thought I would ever find a group of people willing to just let the rain fall on them and DANCE IN IT!  Within the past few years, I’ve grown a true fondness for rain and it’s funny that I’ve also grown a true appreciation and understanding for the “rainy” days within my life.  So many times in the past I’ve dreaded the rain, I’ve dreaded the clouds, I’ve dreaded the thunder, and I’ve dreaded the cold wind that accompanies the cold feelings that used to overwhelm me.  In life, I am no longer afraid of the rain or thunder as I’ve learned to embrace and celebrate it all. 

So we dance and dance and dance.  The rain poured down, and we dance in it.

Recyled Thoughts Become Recycled Actions.

Entering into my fourth week here in my “wilderness” period and I feel more aligned than I can remember.   This weekend was amazing!  I was able to step outside of the forest and socialize for a change. Spontaneously, a few of my colleagues and I decided to visit Atlanta for the weekend.   Our first adventure included going to a Braves game.  Baseball isn’t a sport that I follow but I really enjoy being outside in the sun, rooting for men I don’t know that are passionate about what they do.  Play ball!

Sipping on my seven-dollar Budweiser, we all sang “Take me out to the ball game,” as the words flashed brightly across the screens of Turner Field.  What a beautiful day to see the Braves win in the ninth inning.  And to add the cherry on top, there was a FREE CONCERT afterwards that I was not expecting!

The famous 70’s band Styx came out to perform.  As “seasoned” as they are, their performance was truly inspiring.  I can only pray for a career that last as long as theirs.  Geesh… it’s been almost forty years since their prime.  Although their attire seemed to be a little “young,” I was amused by their zeal for performing.

After the Braves won, we all decided to hang out and WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS!  One of my colleagues grew up in an area that I’m quite familiar with, its near Little Five Points of Atlanta.  Her mother prepared a fabulous dinner for us and we all sat around a table like a family and laughed about our experiences in the “wilderness.” 

“Prisci, the penguin!”  This was a running joke we’ve had since our second week at the camp.  Long story short, it was a name game song created to help students and staff members remember each other’s names.  Let’s just say it was a REALLY large group and I just so happen to be the first person whose name was repeated the most out of the entire group.  So, turns out the name game does work, it’s just a little annoying, but in a fun way.  Hey, at least everyone remembered my name J

After dinner, we all headed out to one of my FAVORITE secret afterhours spots in Atlanta.  Well, it’s not so “secret” anymore, but if you’re ever in the ATL you have to go to a spot called MJQ.  It’s an underground dance club with a great mixed crowd, cheap drinks, and if you care more about having a good time than “stunting” then this is the place for you! Besides, it’s where the cool people hang. Lol. Anywho, the night was amazing.

Sunday morning was even better!  We visited an arts festival that just so happen to be in my favorite park, Piedmont Park.  It was SO inspiring to see the beautiful creations, paintings, sculptures, and listen to different types of musicians express themselves all under the same sun at the same time.  I mean, I was so positively overwhelmed with creative energy.  I fell in love every artistic expression surrounding me, including the bucket drummer... amazing!

We ate funnel cake, chilled out in the grass and "people watched," and I even met an artist by the name of Madison Latimer whose energy and paintings were so vibrant I just had to spark a conversation with her. 

As I stared in awe of her bright colored chickens and roosters, she welcomed my energy into her world.

“What’s your name darling?” She asked with a slight southern drawl.

“It’s Prisci Polet,” excited she asked.

“That’s a beautiful name. You must be an artist with a name like that.”

I told her I was a creator.  I love creating music and I love expressing what I learn through all types of art as well.  Immediately, I could feel her awareness of the creative energies that lies within us all.  She was magnetic.

 “Is there any advice you would give an artist like me?” I asked inquisitively, awaiting a magical answer.

“Sing with the birds every morning.  Sometimes we forget to carry out our creations on the daily bases.”

“Yes ma’am.  I will.  Thank you.” 

As simple as her instructions may have been, I can honestly say that in the past I’ve never simplified my gift to that extent.  Sing with birds?!  What a statement! When I think about it, I really do hear them sing every day, whether it’s raining, snowing, foggy, or sunny, I ALWAYS hear the birds. 

Speaking of, this Monday morning was recycle day at “the wilderness” and as we separated a parking lot full of plastic, aluminum, and random trash pieces, I vividly remembered her instructions and I sing whatever came to my heart.  I sung about ants, I sung about God, I sung about “working on the railroad,” I sung to bring joy, I sung to heal, and I sung to release all negative emotions and thoughts that came to mind about what I was doing, and, guess what,  it worked.  Sure, it would’ve been easy for me to be pissed off.  Who wants to separate trash for hours?  Well, apparently I did because by 5pm it was all done.

Separating the recyclables from the trash was actually quite similar to what I practice inside of my head.  Good thought. How about I save that so I can use that again later?  Negative thought.  How about I trash that thought forever?  Ahh… life.  What a recycler in itself.