Hello All,
Well... I'm still alive, the Sun's still a blazing glory, and I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth yet, even though I keep looking for the ends. But, I've finally come to the conclusion that the Earth IS ACTUALLY ROUND and limitless. Who'd'a'thunk? :) Things have been incredibly Amazing, and incredibly bizzy, and time has been flying by as fast as cats on a polished hardwood floor. Geesh, it's already THANKSGIVING, and I'm wondering where the year went? It's been a most extraordinary year though, and lot's of crazy stories to tell around the campfire someday. However much I'm enjoying this really Late Indian Summer, I'm still missing the SNOW. If you know me, you know that I LOVE THE COLD --> WHEN THERE's SNOW ON THE GROUND. Otherwise, it's just cold. So if anyone knows how I can get a hold of Jack-Frost or Ma-Nature, gimme their number or e-mail address, and I'll write a strongly worded letter. :) I can be very persuasive when I try. ;)
I am, however, enjoying the warm days of late, and getting outside to do my yoga and meditation comfortably. The sun was directly overhead only 3 short months ago, and now it peaks through the leaf-less branches of the sleeping trees, from the south. I see some strange shadows from time to time, and as always I get lost in my imagination. It's a perfect setting for collecting my thoughts and centering my self.
The Autumn, in my experiences throughout life, has been one of the most profound times of the year for me. Growing up, it was always my Birthday, and the return to the days of School when I would start to gather my new harvest of friends for the winter and spring. Then, in my teen years it became the time for high school football games and playing the Sax in Pep-Band, and doing our Marching band routines for the football games and for competition. Some of my fondest memories were trying to stay close to one another, just to keep warm in the stands as we made some VERY close friends. lol. And then, after high school, the Autumn season for me, was suddenly inundated with endless Summer weather, the Marine corps and Bootcamp. The tumbling temperatures, the aromas of decadence, and the myriad of sepia tones slowly faded into what seemed to be only a blurry impressionist masterpiece of my memories of the fall.
Upon my arrival in Colorado last year, I was able to experience my very first Autumn after 8 years of Summer. I was in beautiful Telluride around this time last year, and I had never felt the Earth quake beneath my feet so much as it did when I saw the country-side blanketed in Golds and Reds and Colors I cannot lend my effort to describing as accurately as they should be described. It was my first experience of the season through these new eyes, and I opened my doors and my heart to a flash-flood of never-before-seen beauty and the ultimate surreality. In a moment, I knew that my life had been missing out on an important time-period of growth, thriving, decay, and sleep.
WHAT A YEAR 2008 certainly has been. I've been in search of creating my own definition of Home, and where it truly is, and have wondered if it is even a place I can locate on a map. I remember around January of 06, I was getting ready to move out of Yuma, AZ and back to Denver. It was certain to happen, and Somehow I ended up going the opposite direction and ended up in Sunny San Diego, California - A world of complete newness to me. For the first 6 months of the year in San Diego, I took another trip into the education world of life, and learning what it takes to have the life I want to have. I began learning the steps to personal happiness, and freedom from self-bondage. I took yoga classes and learned to meditate. I read book after book, and listened to CD after CD. I watched certain movies over and over again. I never sensed that the learning would actually change me for the better as much as it did.
The 30th of June, 2007 marked the turning point, when just before, I had begun to fear that all of my learning and studies were never going to materialize into something of substance that I could call my life. That day marked one of the greatest days in my life. It became the first day that I stepped out into the world as a New Person, with wisdom and knowledge as a permanent part of me, that I could share with the world in ways I'd never known before. Up until this turning point in my life, I was lost when it came to home. I didn't know if my home was in Denver... Yuma... San Diego... or somewhere over yonder. Christopher S. Hyatt said, "To clear the mind of its noise, then to lose the mind altogether. This is meditation. (Of course some would call this insanity.)" Just as I got lost in the world of living my life, I was found, and I had found my home. I met some great people who've engraved their footprints in my life and some of them on my heart. My circle of friends, and acquaintances, and mentors, expanded and grew to a size I could only dream of while growing up as a teenager.
I Still miss San Diego, and plan on returning sometime in my future, if not to live, then to visit all of my friends that I do miss dearly. But, having lived in Denver for almost a year and a half now, I've discovered my very own plot of land, I've re-claimed it from the Denverites, I've planted my flag, and have since started building the foundations for my future in this place that I an now able to call "My Home." :) Denver stole my heart this year, and I've had no problem with that whatsoever. In Denver I've continued to meet remarkably wonderful people from all walks of life, that have made their very own home in my heart, and I consider myself blessed and ever-so grateful that these wonderful people consider themselves lucky to have me in their lives as well. I really do love my life, and I have EVERY reason to!!!
As Turkey-Day (or steak-day, or tofurkey-day, or what have you) quickly Approaches, aside from doing a lot of cooking, baking, eating and celebrating, I will be doing a lot of thanking, inside myself, and to certain individuals that have been incomparably profound teachers, friends, loved ones and companions along my journey. There has never been another year like this one, and if things keep going the way they are, I'm certain that I have nothing but complete perfection, joy, happiness, growth, friendship, and Love to look forward to. It makes me all warm and cozy, just thinking about it.
I'll be around throughout the season, e-mailing, and talkin' on the fone, socializing, and workin' like usual, so feel free to say "Hi." As you may know, I just LOVE sharing MY updates with all of you, but it's always nice to hear how my loved ones are doing as well. How are you? What's new? How's your year been? Did anything Exciting happen? What have you learned this year? Where have you gone? How have you grown? I believe we're all students in this classroom of life, and the experiences that we share with each other help us all learn and grow to become better people. No one person knows all about life, and there's no one that doesn't know enough. Life is about coming together and bringing our very own unique stories to the table and touching the heart of another.
Until we chat, I am wishing you a most joyous start to your Holiday Season. The winter, the cold, and the snow bring us closer together in the warmth of our hearts and homes, so start enjoying all of the festivities, the hot cocoa, the shopping, the lights, the smiles, and the comforts that the holiday season is sure to bring with it. And, if there is someone special in your life that brings you smiles and joy, there is ne'er a more perfect time to let them know just how much they mean to you. :) You are all very important people in my life, and I wouldn't be the man that I am today without the touch of energy from your hand to mine, the words that you've contributed to my life's book, or the love that you've shared from deep within your heart. It is for these, that I have never been more grateful.
Relax...
Feel the Earth move beneath your feet...
Sway with the wandering winds of time and space...
And Remember to always BREATH...
BREATH...
And BREATH again... :)
Always Livin' and Lovin' Life
Love and Light to You All
~Michael A. Cordova
P.S. Just in Case I forget, could you please send me your current contact information? I'm updating my records and would like to make sure I have you in my book! :) Address, Phone, Websites, Social Security (just kidding)... :) Anything you'd like to share. Thanks A Whole Bunch!!!
P.P.S. Here's a poem I wrote back in 2005 that I thought I'd share with ya! Enjoy*Autumn Breezes...
By: Michael A. Cordova
I hear the blowing winds through the aspen and pine,
and I feel the echoing breeze of the November chill,
as it sweeps down from the Autumn mountains.
The crystal clear waters of the rivers flow among the land,
washing away the impurities and the old,
while instantly replenishing with beauty and life.
The wonderful winter wonderlands are soon to be,
and I can smell the fresh pure snow in the air,
as it prepares for it's journey over the mountains.
I hear birds call to one another amidst the trees,
sharing care and love while basking in the setting sun,
as the last golden leaf of the Aspen flutters to the ground.
I stand as one with beauty and nature,
and I feel weightless and free of form and thought,
as I breath in the energy of the pure fresh air.
It is the time of decadence and life's passing,
only to be still in the winter months,
and re-born in the spring with beauty and perfection.
Of the seasons of change throughout the years and our lives,
there are never more wondrous moments in time,
and nothing is more beautiful than that of the season of Autumn.
I forever long to feel the innocent child-like love of nature,
as the Autumn breeze blows by and by.
September-2005
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