Matters of the Mind

An Unsuitable Suit

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Poem by Carmen Walsh, written 12/31/2024

Just 10 years old, she awkwardly hoists a shield
Big as she is and twice her weight.
On unstable ground, her foot slips
The shield almost drops,
But with fiery tear-filled eyes, she rises
Hearing these words, which she believes to be wise:
“Protect the ones who love you, or you will be left alone.”

So for years she controls and fiercely defends.
As she grows, a suit of armor develops around her.
She thinks herself brave and strong, capable
Fighting to keep her loved ones safe.
In truth, inside that metal shell is still
A shivering 10-year-old, terrified and alone
Lost trying to occupy a suit much too big for her.

One by one, the loved ones fall
Leaving her feeling alone, abandoned.
Despite all her attempts to serve and protect,
This plan of hers had failed.
Born out of love and desire to connect,
It was based in the fear of loneliness — 
And so that was the prophecy fulfilled.

Confused, heartbroken, directionless
She cautiously sets the shield aside.
She pulls off the armor, piece by piece
Gingerly placing each on the ground beside her.
Perhaps if she doesn’t make too much noise
It will be safe to be exposed again
Like the gleeful 5-year-old she had once been.

Safe perhaps, but not yet joyful.
An invisible layer had preceded the shield:
The constant need to be quiet.
This is the last layer of protection.
She knows she must let herself express
But what may pour out with this final layer removed? 
Who was she beneath this silent skin?

She reminds herself of the unconditional love
From the Divine, of the purity she feels
When loving others, when in Nature.
She allows the Love into herself and gently 
Scrapes off the invisible glaze of silence 
That has encased her for so long.
Her skin feels raw, her voice hoarse from disuse.

She hums a little more each day
Sings a snippet of a refrain here and there 
When no one is around to hear.
Part of her still longs for the shield
To protect her from the unknown.
And yet she knows without a doubt
The key to her joy is to let her truth out.

To fully express, without holding back:
This is why she is here.
No more judging the tears that fall
The sadness and grief that come through
Or feeling the ecstasy of being alive
When others aren’t able to.
No more silencing the sound of SHE.

As her natural-born joy returns, 
Her loved ones feel it too.
She realizes that the only way to
Protect her joy is to not protect at all
But to lean into trust and live.
The 10-year-old with her big heart
Had gotten it wrong:

Don’t sacrifice yourself to protect those you love.
Live your best life and your joy will lift them too.

Matters of the Mind

Ocean Dreaming

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Poem by Carmen Walsh, written 8/4/2024

What rules your life?
Human expectations,
other- or self-inflicted,
or dreams, divinely gifted?

Do you allow obstacles
to discourage your progress,
interpreting them to mean
your dreams are fruitless?

Or do you, like water,
simply adjust your route
and keep flowing, ever closer
to that expanded version of you?

Instinctually the stream knows
it will eventually reach the ocean.
Believe your dream is your destiny.
Allow the path to unfold naturally.

Imagine the dream already real;
feel how the dream come true will feel.
Fulfilled? Ecstatic? Blessed beyond compare?
Inhabit those feelings; act from there.

Allow the ocean’s power to pull you;
surrender to every twist and turn.
No deadline, no pressure to do,
nothing to prove or earn.

Be grateful for the journey so far.
Remember you’re water, wherever you are.
Whether ocean, sea, or stream,
You are always one with your dream.

Matters of the Mind

Lazy Morning Miracle

Poem by Carmen Walsh, written 7/7/2024

Sunlight on the succulents
Intrigues me as I sit there
My skeleton supported by a
reclining chair

Belly comfortably full
An echo of coffee in the air
Nothing to do but relax and
become aware

Surrendering to gravity’s pull
My back sinks and lungs dare
To fully expand and release –
tingles everywhere

This body is a miracle!
Life fills all, leaving no cells bare
It’s up to us to witness
in awe of Life’s flair

Our senses are wonder-full
Whether sipping coffee in a sunlit chair
Or feeling a lover’s caress or breeze
on skin bare

It is only a fool
Who believes ecstasy is somewhere
to be found and lost, depending
whether others care

A heart sincerely grateful
For this present moment to share
Knows the highest of highs is to be fully alive, far beyond compare.

Matters of the Mind, Nature

Hibiscus Day

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Poem by Carmen Walsh, written 6/26/2024

As the sun rises in the sky
My tight body unwinds leisurely
No rush to do, only to be
In awe of the world before my eyes.

In the daylight, I open fully
My colors displayed for all to see
Unashamed of my glory
Never comparing, simply being me.

As evening falls, I claim my prize –
Not approval, acceptance, or any of those
But a peaceful contentment as I gratefully close
To rest and reenergize.

Matters of the Mind

Tea Kettle

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Poem by Carmen Walsh, written 3/28/2024

Kettle is full,

burner high.

Water boils,

steam, a sigh.

Pressure grows,

needs release.

Whistle blows

****

Oh sweet peace.

Steaming red kettle image created by me using AI

****You know what to do when the whistle blows: flip the cap open and remove the kettle from the heat. Why? To stop and release the pressure that has been created. If you don’t, the kettle will continue whistling furiously until all the water has steamed out.

Talk about annoying. More importantly, there would be no hot water for tea: both the water and the heating energy would be wasted. The kettle would be robbed of its purpose, made pointless. Also, allowing the kettle to burn completely dry can damage it.

You’re the kettle.

Matters of the Mind

I am cracked open: a self-love affirmation

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“I am cracked open.”

It sounds dangerous and scary, doesn’t it? So why did I make this unusual choice for an affirmation for my Self-Love photo shoot?

I remember reading this quotation some years ago about the growth of a seed:

“For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.” – Cynthia Occelli

When a seed embryo enjoys the optimal conditions for its growth (the best soil, water, light, and temperatures), its cells expand. They keep expanding until the seed’s shell cracks open from the pressure building up inside. Only when the seed has broken open can roots emerge and a plant sprout and grow into its full potential.

Similarly, the growth process of humans can look (and feel) destructive. When we are presented with growth opportunities and are open to the transformation, we expand until our old identity must die. We have to break through the old so that our new beliefs can take root and we can start fully expressing our expanded selves.

After several years of intense self-development work, this past year has been a season of cracking open, of shedding old layers. It’s felt overwhelming at times, but I’m excited to know that the next season is one of fuller and more joyful self-expression.

“I am cracked open” is a reminder that I don’t need to carry any old stories into the future, that the judgments and pressures of the past have been released.

It reminds me to discard the protective hard shell I once wore because I was terrified to disappoint anyone. I am here to live my own unique life, not to meet others’ expectations.

“I am cracked open” reminds me to embrace the softness of my beautiful soul and to allow it to shine.

It reminds me to stay open to all possibilities and to welcome Love to flow through me.

“I am cracked open” reminds me to stop trying so hard, to surrender and enjoy each moment, knowing | am always supported as I co-create my Heaven on Earth.

It is about giving myself permission to Just Be and to expect the miraculous.

It is a reminder to love my soul unconditionally.

All photo credits to the wonderful Shelah Riley in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Matters of the Mind

Do you feel free to live the life you desire…

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Or do you feel burdened, trapped by circumstances?

Do you smile when you wake up in the morning, excited to see what the day holds — or do you start worrying right away, praying to just make it through relatively unscathed until you can crawl back in bed?

Maybe your life looks good from the outside. You have a decent job and family or friends to hang out with on the weekends. You probably should be satisfied, but then you see photos of your friends’ vacations or celebrations and think, “Why can’t my life be that awesome? When will it be my turn to be that happy and just enjoy my life?”

You want to be happy for them, but it’s hard not to feel envious. Your life feels like a hamster wheel that you have to keep spinning, and you’re tense and exhausted from pushing so hard, determined to avoid the disaster that always seems to be looming.

I get it, believe me. I lived that scenario, repeatedly.

Growing up with an older brother with epilepsy, I believed life was very serious business. I was determined to do it well — because only high performers were worthy of praise. I did pretty well in my work, but I never loved what I did. In most areas, I was super critical of myself: not quite talented enough, successful enough, fun enough. I didn’t know how to fit in. Relationships were my weakest area, a complete disaster when it came to a “significant other.” I always tried to do the “right” thing and make everyone else happy — family, bosses, co-workers, clients, friends — but that never resulted in ME being happy. Life felt like so much pressure with very little reward.

Thankfully, after 45 years of being fiercely independent (and lonely), working really hard at an assortment of jobs and some businesses of my own and wondering what the heck was wrong with me, I found mentors who helped me see the error of my ways. After investing in 5 years of intense personal development work, I understand that, as the Good Witch told Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, I had the power within me all along. I just needed guidance to help me become aware of that power.

Now, I can honestly say that I enjoy the adventure of my life every day. I feel supported and loved, and I know the best days of my life are ahead of me. And yes, I am finally in a healthy relationship with a wonderful man. Hallelujah!

Now I want everyone to know that they are free to create a life they love — because it feels so dang good!

If you’re interested in finding out how you can find more joy in your life, schedule a curiosity call with me .

Matters of the Mind

Examining your beliefs

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Do your beliefs feel good when you think them? Try some of these common ones and notice how you feel in your body when you say them out loud:

  • Good guys finish last.
  • No good deed goes unpunished.
  • It’s really hard to be successful.
  • There’s not enough time in the day.
  • You can’t beat Father Time.

Ugh. I am cringing. I feel deflated in my chest, and my body is drooping, my energy super low.… because really, what’s the point of life if you actually believe these statements? But we hear them ALL THE TIME. Most of us grew up hearing them, but that doesn’t make them true. What if you chose to NOT believe them? What if you replaced those beliefs with ones that feel better? How would your life change?

  • Good guys always win in the end.
  • No good deed goes unrewarded.  
  • It’s fun and easy to be successful.
  • There’s always more than enough time to do what’s important.
  • You can choose to get better with age!

How do those feel to you? My chest feels airy and expansive. I’m upright, smiling, relaxed, and happy about the limitless possibilities of life. And I’m looking forward to being more fabulous than ever at 50 and getting better each year.

The Universe always reflects back to you what you put out – maybe not in that instant, but it will come back to you. Your present is based upon your past beliefs and actions. Your future depends on what you believe and do today. Feel better today and create a better tomorrow!

Matters of the Mind

Thank You, Dad

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My dear father left his physical body December 10. These are the words I spoke at his funeral a week later:

Thank you, Dad.

Thank you for your commitment to excellence in service—from showing up with a water delivery at the promised time to continually studying and striving to be a better person.

Thank you for your independent spirit and determination—for setting goals and working tirelessly to reach them.

Thank you for showing us how to be a true friend—always listening and wanting to help others, even when it wasn’t convenient or easy.

Thank you for all the laughter—for the silly stories you could hardly finish because you would start laughing at what was in your head before you could get the words out. As my younger nephew Shane observed once, “You crack yourself up, don’t you, Pop-pop?”

Thank you for your sly smile when you were spinning tales and for that huge welcoming smile when we walked in the door to spend time with you.

Thank you for an appreciation of all kinds of artistry. You got so tickled by fine craftsmanship, whether it was of cars, scones, or shoes. (After all, when you buy high quality shoes, you get to wear them for 50 years. And he did.) You shared your passion for photography and music with us. Thank you for all those memories, including me long ago playing the clarinet here in this front church pew while you played your saxophone and Mom played the organ.

Thank you for your excitement about the simple things: books, coffee and ice cream, road trips. You knew well the joyful freedom of being in the driver’s seat—a life lesson for sure, as we always have a choice in where we go and what direction we take to reach our destinations.

Thank you for taking me to work with you when I was little. I remember the thrill of sitting in the Peterbilt’s passenger seat high above the traffic and of climbing up the ladder to walk across the top of the trailer, excitedly peering into the hatches to watch the water level rise. I remember how much we both loved the tuna salad sandwich at the natural foods store and how we could never quite replicate it at home. I also remember sharing my first Dr. Pepper with you at the station and how you drank more than half of it when you “tasted” it.

Thank you for the one-on-one conversations, especially these last few years as both you and Mom faced medical scares. Thank you for being vulnerable with me, for allowing me to see even more of your beautiful spirit.

Thank you for showing us what boundless unconditional love looks like, especially in your relationship with Mom. I have never seen two people love each other more.

Thank you for your heart, for my heart. At times I have cursed you for these active Walsh tear ducts, but truthfully I am grateful for the ability to feel so deeply and passionately about life. You recognized this life as a gift and made the most of it.

A few weeks ago, Dad and I were talking about one of his health concerns that was troubling him, and I was encouraging him to seek another doctor’s opinion so he could hopefully get relief from the pain. I told him, “You were not put here to be in pain.” And he replied, “No, I should be out inspiring others.” He always wanted to be of service. I hope his life has inspired you as it has me, to embrace life fully and to live according to our values with excitement, laughter, gratitude, and love.

Thank you for being here and for loving us.

The grief is fresh and sometimes overwhelming, but my overall feeling is gratitude: for a long life well lived, for the end of his pain and frustration, for the gift of him being my father, for quality time spent with him, for no regrets.

Take a few minutes to think about this question: What’s important to you? Does your answer match how you spend your time? If not, you may want to refocus so that you don’t have regrets later on.

Limitless Inspiration