Following often-hectic periods of striving, outward reaching, we sometimes encounter quiet periods of soulful reflection—reaching-in. Breathing in. Breathing out. Reaching in. Reaching out. Carefully and consciously, we integrate the two aspects. We trust that the cycle will produce increased awareness, purposeful clarity or even wisdom.

Sometimes in the process, we may discover truths about ourselves. While interacting with others, we can gain powerful insights, pointing the way to integrate various parts of ourselves. With shared challenges and successes, those relationships can offer keys to hidden details. We live in a complex and dynamic mix of exhilaration and sometimes devastating losses. 

In the earlier years of defining our lives together, we decided to reach for the stars, while clinging to naïveté. As reality set in, the stars seemed more distant, perhaps unattainable. We sadly realized that youthful, fragile dreams eventually must give way to more tangible ideas. Perhaps our naïveté served as a temporary, yet necessary illusion of balance and control.

We began to grasp the idea of the critical interplay between imagination and reality. The basic realization was that dreams and aspirations needed specific form and outline. We needed to create something solid from which we could then reach higher. Vague ideas or entanglements would certainly distract us, leading to unnecessary compromise. 

Once we minimized complications and naïveté, we could breathe. Ahh! Suddenly we were gifted with unlimited possibilities. We then had solid plans that could bridge the gap from dreams to reality. Building on what we’d achieved before, we didn’t need to start over. Instead, we collected up all of our experience and knowledge to begin again in a new and more specific direction, with a fresh perspective.

We immediately felt a lightness of heart and soul. Of course, we’ve heard the adage that everything we need is already within us, rather than somewhere “out there.”  Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder of our inherent inner strength. With the balance of reaching in and reaching out, we succeed.  Joni Mitchell wrote, “We are star dust . . .” The twinkling night sky holds the reminders that everything always remains within reach.

Music – Reach

Lyrics

Reach for the stars, every one said
You shone so brightly that I reached 
For you instead of the stars
I watched as you slipped outside my grasp
From my open hand you fell, you fell
Just beyond my reach

I thought we could hold onto hope
Imagining together
But you found no home in our dreams
I watched common ground just sift away
From my open arms you fell, you fell
Just beyond my reach

Day by day and then night after night
I couldn’t close the empty
No matter how hard I tried
Alone can be lonely

I need help closing the empty
So please won’t you try
Both of us have to try
Reaching to share a dream
Reaching together

As our story comes to a close
Now my life shimmers
Dazzling dreams & boundless hope
Like the stars
That shine so bright before my eyes
From my open heart you fell, you fell
Far beyond my reach

Way beyond my reach
Without regret I reached, I reached
For a dream wholly mine

Related Musical Story – Within Reach

We were finishing up the new CD, called “Fitting Pieces.” Our friend Zia was at our house with all of her gear to take the cover picture as usual. We decided to make it a shot of the two of us sitting at the table in the sun room, working a jigsaw puzzle . . .

Credits

Music from Album – New Music
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics, vocals, music production and story
Emerson Martlage – Music, guitar, vocals and story
Inspiration – Experience of constantly striving
All other images purchased from Canva AI