Holi - manifesting the colors of my dreams

As I hold powdered yellow in my hand and I am running among the 4th and 5th grade classes celebrating Holi, a traditional Hindu celebration, very much like Easter, celebrating Spring, Fertility and Life, I realize that I am laughing for the first time in a long time. I have become present. The child within me is awakened.
Today, we have gotten permission to play with the lower grades and use color to celebrate Holi. As the children paint me with their ever open hearts, I return the favor rather playfully painting them with yellows, greens, and fuschia pinks to name a few. As we begin to finish our colors, I begin to see a mural of hope laid out before me in these children’s faces. Perhaps, it’s the hope and love I have for them that is emanating in these colors that are now so beautifully painted on their faces and hands and clothing that I catch a hold of. If not for just this moment, we are all happy here in the soccer fields. Taking in the Indian Sun and the joy of simply playing. This is truly divine play or what is better known in Sanskrit as- Lila.
These colors have cleansed me. Appropriately so, this holiday has begun on the full moon of Virgo. The time of cleansing, and letting go. Here under this moon, wearing my full color, I pray:
Allow the yellow that is drenched upon me to remind me of my light and strength
Allow the fuschia pink to open and heal my heart.
Let the blue allow my voice to be heard
and may the purple connect me to the divine
so I can live and honor my truth, no matter where it takes me, let me not be afraid of the path I lead. Let me always remember my inner child, let me play with color everyday, even if it is in my own imagination. Let me color my life, let me play and take all that life gives me in its moment, seeing it for the opportunities it presents and not for its limits.
Holi is truly holy. A special day full of my favorite past time, color, coloring and painting while playing! I hope to celebrate many more Holi celebrations here and in the States. I hope many of you will join me.
Shanti.