Spring Anew
In order for things to grow, one has to turn the soil with natural waste such as leaves and animal waste. But how to turn the “soil” in our lives? We all go through tough times, learn things through trial and error, or just what we have processed by exploring life and gleaning insights from those experiences. We can see that “waste” as the bullshit in our lives and be all woe is me, or we can see it as the blessings in our life that can fertilize the life we want to grow.
Some things I learned by turning over the winter soil in preparation for a new harvest. InTheLandOf Mara is both a dézine and a mission for how I live my life. The dézine I will share seasonally. Trying to do it monthly and with other writers (right now) was too overwhelming. And when I get overwhelmed, I get stuck. It’s a sort of creative paralyzation. So I surrendered to its immobility and leaned into the stillness to listen. I meditated and journaled and therapized and discussed with friends and my team why I wanted to do this in the first place and contemplated was it ego based or a true heart’s desire?
I now know it is a heart’s desire through that intentional practice and investment, but it will have to take a different pace. I will be a local organic farmer of sorts. I’m not trying to grow corn to be turned into hydrogenated corn syrup for big business or be an export to China. Instead, I aim to be the go-to spot at your Sunday Farmer’s Market, where we are happy to see each other. And in order to do that, I need to perfect my crop, which requires me to be hands-on before I invite other voices to what it is I am still formulating.
Which led me to further meditate on what it is that I am trying to say. And then I heard my mother’s voice and wisdom: You need a mission statement. If you don’t have one for yourself personally, your family, or your business, you will end up lost at sea. Or like the current state of our global soil— lacking in complete nutrients, unable to grow anything.
So visiting InTheLandOfMara… you will find essays and musings that promote my mission:
To live a creative life with a full heart.
When I really took a good look at my reflection, that is truly who I am. That is what I am doing. That is where my endless spring of joy is. When I took a closer look, I figured out how I was doing it. And I basically live my life with three basic pillars:
- Have something to say.
- Give back.
- Walk the path of heart’s desire.
Now to do that it is required/requires… healing (therapy/yoga/sanctuary space/communicating/PLAY)…health (eating/exercising/stillness/resting/relationships)…and honing (asking myself the right questions like what do I really want/what really makes one’s heart flutter/choices/discipline/routine/curation/). Oh, and I discovered I love alliteration too— haha no surprise there for the writer that I am.
So that’s what I’m unpacking here, but not in a self-help kind of way. There are far too many other experts out there better suited to lead you through that deeper learning. I will definitely shout them out here or lead you to what I’ve learned and explored and found because that’s a way of giving back— sharing information and platforming others. Here, I share how I take all of that knowledge and understanding and live my life with thoughtful luxury. And yes, luxury means suggestions on how to spend your valuable resources of time and money on high-quality goods and high-quality joy.
After a long winter, I have sprung anew with clarity and more persistence to grow the seed I planted when I launched this dézine last summer. Let’s pour the rosé, put on the record, and celebrate that Mara’s back! Because no one puts BABY in the corner!
Oh, one more thing… you got to show your papers to enter this land —Yes, you have to pass through Customs to enter this Land. So please have in hand your open heart and kindness. We ask that you speak the language of respect. And leaving your email is optional but strongly encouraged.
DATE: 03.31.2022
PHOTOS: MBA archives
A message I needed to hear right now. Thank you Mara <3
Welcome back and welcome to your new season! I met you at a writer’s colony event Lauren was hosting for a table read & I was literally speechless when I saw you. A dream of mine came true of finally meeting you and no words would come out my mouth. Your aura, presence and warmth is magical and heavenly! Let’s Goooooo Mara and your new season!
The message I truly needed to hear in this season of life and full resonance. Thank you for sharing and continue to bloom!
This was such a joyous nudge to keep going. Thank you so much.
Thanks for providing language for this life experience that I didn’t have. This brought me joy and made me feel sane. Can’t wait for more.
Just the squeeze of light I needed today – spring anew, indeed! Thank you <3
I’m here for the healing, the health and the honing. <3