Photo by Elizabeth Halt
Photo by Elizabeth Halt

i believe in faeries

July 14, 2011

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when i am completely grounded in myself and in my truth, i am never alone.

i believe in something bigger than all of us. the name i use depends on the day.

i believe in angels. i say thank you to them every night and sometimes i ask them for a sign to let me know they're near.

i believe in faeries. i build them summer cottages in the woods and ask them to keep the wasps away from atlas.

i believe that trees have spirits. (well, i believe that everything has a spirit.) once, when i said hello to a tree, i heard it say hello back in a deep, kind voice. it was so amazing that it brought me to tears.

i tell the trees and the flowers and the weeds how beautiful they are.

i say hello to the squirrels and the bees and the blue jays that stop by my window.

i talk to spiders and ladybugs and butterflies and dragonflies.

once, i even called a slug "sweetie", as in, "sweetie, you are the most gigantic slug in all the world!" (it came out unconsciously, which made me think that i use the term a bit too often.)

i am finding my way to my own truth.

the point is not to try to convince you that angels or faeries exist or that trees talk. i feel very strongly that we all have our own truth and i have no wish to try to convince anyone out of their truth and into mine.

the point is not even that angels or faeries exist or that trees talk. it's entirely possible that they don't.

the point is that i want to choose what to believe in.

i choose to believe in these things because the me who believes in them is different than the me who doesn't believe in them.

the me who believes in faeries and angels and talking trees is open to magic and mystery and possibility and wonder. she lives in a world where anything is possible and where things can happen in the blink of an eye. she remembers the inherent value in everyone and everything. she sees the goodness in everyone around her. she makes choices that are based on hope and faith. she makes choices that are based on the kind of world she wants to live in – a world full of peace and joy and kindness and love.

living in that world is important to me. the things i choose to believe remind me of that world. they help me to access the wiser part of me, the part of me who can rise above my fears and make those choices.

this isn't to say that i am always the me who believes in angels and faeries and talking trees; however, even in my most doubtful moments, i believe in the possibility of all of them.

17 comments... (add a comment)

  1. Tracy

    You are such a kindred spirit, Elizabeth! I believe very much in all of these too… there is so much greater than just ourselves. All are connected, we are woven with all the trees, animals, river, stars and dust of the Universe. It is AMAZING and humbling to reflect upon… and great to celebrate! So celebrating it all with you too, today. :o) Many thanks for your warm welcome of my new blog–I’m excited about new creative adventures and sharing. Sorry if you’ve had trouble leaving a comment. I have comment moderation on, but there seems to be a glitch somewhere that I’ll keep an eye on. But rest assured I do see all the comment. Just depends on how quick I am to publish them all. We’re heading out for some weekend fun early to celebrate Dear Husband’s birthday. See you next week! :o) ((HUGS))

  2. tammy

    oh elizabeth!
    a kindred spirit in you. i believe in all those things. it is what keeps me sane in a sometimes sad and violent world. it’s a shelter for the spirit to me … almost like a fresh spring of running water, cool and clean and life giving.
    i love this post. and i love the you that shares with us so beautifully these wonderful thoughts.
    i brought back (probably couldn’t do it now with the new flying rules) but i brought back from london a bottle of dish washing soap…
    they call it “faerie liquid” over there! isn’t that wonderful? i think the world needs its own magic. and these feelings are magical and beautiful and make me happy.
    tammy j

  3. Leone

    A lovely post, thank you!!

  4. marilyn

    you are deeply beautiful and a true beacon for hope and faith and peace and kindness and joy. and most of all love. thank you for this post and for making my world part of yours.

  5. Tara

    I loved this post so much I’m saving it in my inspiration folder. I love the idea of choosing to be the me who believes. Really beautifully written too. :)
    Also I just wanted to say – Tammy, I live in the UK and I totally never made the connection about Fairy Liquid! That made me laugh, thank you!

  6. THIS! This is why I so adore you. I do. I absolutely adore you. :)
    And, ohmygod, the conversations I’ve had with trees and squirrels and little plants and every snail or slug I see on the trail… so deep, so light, so nourishing, so REAL.
    Thanks so much for sharing this part of you here with us (with me!!! bc yes, it felt as if this post was written especially for me). 😉

  7. “i choose to believe in these things because the me who believes in them is different than the me who doesn’t believe in them.”
    I think I need to tattoo this someplace on me….
    P.S. I’m having some trouble clearing away some trees in our yard — too big to move, but totally turning our yard into a forest. But I don’t feel I can cut down a sapling tree for my convenience. Starting to wonder about weeds now, too. Yikes!

  8. Vlb

    I, too, talk to trees, flowers, birds & butterflies, dragonflies and snails. Thanks for the post and hello to all of you in the comments!

  9. “i love the possibility of them.”
    Love this post.
    Keep on believing in magic, elizabeth. It is part of what makes you so special.
    oxox

  10. elizabeth @ retinal perspectives

    i must confess that i felt a little vulnerable posting this, so all of your sweet comments have been lovely to read. xoxoxo
    @kim: i will. <3
    @vlb: yay! so glad to hear you do too!
    @leone: you are most welcome. :)
    @lori: yikes indeed. i feel that way about taking pictures - sometimes it would be easier if i could go back to the days when i would pick stuff that was in the way. (but in your case, maybe it's for more than just convenience, you know. :)
    @larisa: the feeling is mutual. and someday i would love to hear about your conversations!
    @tara: i am honored to be in your inspiration folder! (and i did not get the connection either until tammy mentioned it - so cool.)
    @marilyn: reading your comment felt like a hug. missing you so much.
    @tammy: a kindred spirit! yay! i love the idea of a shelter for the spirit. p.s. thank you for mentioning the fairy liquid! i remember that now, only i never made the connection.
    @tracy: yay! all these kindreds! "dust of the Universe" - love that. isn't there a quote that says something about everything being made of stars or the dust of stars or something? oh, no. the Universe in a grain of sand. close. (no worries about the comments - i thought maybe that was it but had to try again. :) enjoy your weekend & happy birthday to your husband!

  11. Marcie

    In the end – it really is about choice..and what it is we choose to think and believe. A wonderfully inspiring post!!!

  12. yes, yes, yes, me too! the wonder of this world delights me, as do you and atlas. xo

  13. i believe too.
    the bunnies & i
    say hello to you
    this morning. xo

  14. YAY Elizabeth… I am so happy to see you claiming what’s true for you and sharing your magical experience of the world with the rest of us. You are a true inspiration!!
    And I LOVED that you called a slug sweetie… and I bet he ( or she, because you never know with slugs) loved it too!!!

  15. brooke

    Since last week I am choosing what to believe too. It’s encouraging and empowering and I think there is room in this world for our beliefs to dovetail together peacefully and invigoratingly.
    Also, have you seen the newer peter pan movie? there is a funny part in it where a pirate steps forward and rasps, ‘I do believe in faeries, I do! I do!’

  16. each time i come here, i leave feeling light and happy.
    each time i come here i breathe a little deeper
    each time i come here i am reminded why
    i love you so.
    i believe. just sayin.

  17. erin

    Your words – i am finding my way to my own truth. – are so real to me. I am doing this too…

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