“What a beautiful spring day in NYC!”, I think to myself. “The sun is shining, it’s 60 degrees and I am blessed to be experiencing hanami, the Japanese custom of cherry blossom viewing.”
I love the Sakura (cherry blossom) tree. It’s strength and beauty, the scent of the cherry blossom is one of my favorites, and hanami my yearly treat! The botanical gardens are alive, celebrating the Sakura Festival. The music of reed flutes and taiko drums fill the air. There is nothing quite like cherry blossom season. I look forward to it every year!
I spread my picnic blanket over the ground and sit down to watch other families enjoying the spectacle.
I sigh, “So much waiting and in only a few short weeks they are gone.”
“And you are blessed to greet them again this year, Kathleen.”
I turn and see the familiar visage of Konohanasakuya-hime, The Cherry Blossom Blooming Princess and Goddess of Mt Fuji.
Hello Goddess, I have missed you.
You know I am always here, Kathleen, even though I may be out of view.
Yes, Goddess.
I so enjoy the blossoms, don’t you?
Yes, I do, Goddess, but I wish they lasted longer! The season is so short.
Ah, but that is the blessing of the Cherry Blossom, Kathleen. Humans have a tendency to live on autopilot. They go about their routines and zone out much of the time. Cherry Blossom brings us back to the present moment.
I know you are right, Goddess. We are creatures of habit and run our lives according to schedules. We’d lose track of our lives if we didn’t have our google and icalendars.
That’s exactly the problem, my dear. Mortals need mindful movement in their day. Cherry Blossom brings the gift of new beginning in spring but the fleeting nature of the blossoms remind humans that today is a gift to be enjoyed for it will not be seen again.
The delicate Sakura blossoms will be gone in a week or so. Some humans will chase them from festival to festival, NY to Washington DC to Japan. But these mortals miss the point of hanami and the lesson of the Sakura which is appreciation of the wonderous glory of life in the moment. Much like the great never dying mountain, Fujiyama, the Sakura sleep, then awaken briefly changing the lives of humans in only a moment.
But Mt. Fujiyama’s change can be devastating, Goddess!
Yes, my dear. So it is with the Sakura, merely in different ways. See these families enjoying the festival? They are celebrating renewal, it is the same gift given by Fujiyama. The ability to rebuild with hope and through mindfulness.
Remember all those times you walked, biked or drove to a familiar place and once you got there you couldn’t remember the details of the route. That’s letting your inner autopilot take over. Mortals live in a world that is moving at tremendous speed. Multitasking is your new way of life, but divided attention doesn’t work. Think of your singing. You need to be fully involved and at the top of your game when performing or teaching, yes?
Yes, Goddess.
And still the performance is created, experienced and then gone.
Yes, Goddess.
Is it not better to be mindful in your singing, your performance and your practice?
Yes, it is Goddess. Being mindful is how one learns proper form, execution and expression. In singing, the body is our instrument of communication and we need to be connected to our body, our emotions and our audience.
Such is the way of the Sakura and Fujiyama, they remind humans that their mortal existence is fleeting and that there is reverence in the beauty and impermanence of life. Celebrate the day, Kathleen.
Konohanasakuya-hime looks off into the distance.
I think I see a friend of yours walking this way.
I turn my head to look. “Oh yes, there he is!” I stand up, smile and shout, “I’m over here!” with a wave. He smiles, waves back, then picks up his pace.
I turn back to say good bye to Konohanasakuya-hime but she is gone!
Hope, renewal and being mindful of the people in our lives and in voice practice. Inspired, I think to myself, I’ll write a blog about it.
I love your Goddess Conversations Kathleen! Such a creative way to share your Goddess Energy with the world. Slowing down, taking that pause to BE and BEcome, such a BE-YOU-tiful way to BE with the essence of of who we are and acutely aware of what is going on around us and the beauty we are surrounded by!
I went for a walk yesterday and my friend was rushing ahead, I thought to myself, I’m missing it. We need to slow down!! It was so much more fun when we did!
Love cherry blossoms! Since spring comes a bit later to Upstate NY, I’m still waiting for ours to bloom but I’ll be out in full force when they come!
I love Cherry Blossom season!
What a wonderful message to read in this moment. Cherry blossoms are one of my favorite signs that winter is over and spring is upon us. Thanks for sharing your Goddess conversations with us.
Thank you for reading, Cindy. I truly appreciate your insights. 🙂
You had me at Cherry Blossoms… 🙂 My all time favorites! Beautiful and creative post.
Mine too! Thank you, Zeenat! <3
“Cherry Blossom brings us back to the present moment.” Absolutely beautiful and so true! Loved your blog, great message.
Thank you, Heather. <3