“… the heart of vision is shaped by the state of the soul.”
John O’Donohue
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Rubber Legs
Good morning from Colorado. The COVID-19 numbers continue to rise while our temperatures begin to fall. Only expected to be in the high 40s today and not much better the next few days. Made myself Irish oats with raisins and pecans after quiet time. Noticed the sunlight and shadows on my kitchen counter and shot this image. Love the colors. The cocoa was a gift and sad to say not very good.
Took the car in for some work so have been without a car for three days now. Rode the bicycle to an eye appointment yesterday as it’s only two miles. I knew part of the ride was uphill but I did not know it was all uphill, a slow gentile rise all the way. Had rubber legs when I got there. Eye examine was good and will see them in a year.
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Genesis of Hope
“The greatest single antidote to violence is conversation, speaking our fears, listening to the fears of others, and in that sharing of vulnerabilities, discovering a genesis of hope.”
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks -
Healthy Vibes
The contemplative life should liberate and purify the imagination which passively absorbs all kinds of things without our realizing it; liberate and purify it from the influence of so much violence done by the bombardment of social images. There is a kind of contagion that affects the imagination unconsciously much more than we realize. It emanates from things like advertisements and from all the spurious fantasies that are thrown at us by our commercial society. These fantasies are deliberately intended to exercise a powerful effect on our conscious and subconscious minds. They are directed right at our instincts and appetites and there is no question but that they exercise a real transforming power on our whole psychic structures. The contemplative life should liberate us from that kind of pressure, which is really a form of tyranny.
Thomas MertonYes, I am a very much aware how affected I am by consumerism and advertising. Show me an image of a fine fountain pen and the lust for it begins to grow. I am easily enticed. Over the past few years, through the practice of a contemplative life and simplifying my life I feel the lust is being curtailed. At least until Pelikan comes out with another marbled fountain pen color and in my price range. 😳
What is interesting to me in Merton’s quote is his use of the phrase ‘spurious fantasies.’ We all have watched how the power of our social media/news can affect people, stirring up anger, hate and rage in some, while drawing others to an awareness of our societal and world issues. For some it has meant making a healthy self-examination of ourselves then coming up with ways to change the unhealthy aspects we find, nurture them and sharing the healthy ones. But, for some it means pointing fingers and accusing rather than any self-examination.
For the past few weeks I have reduced my time on social media while staying as distant as I can from the news. This has allowed me to consciously spend more time in my journal, more reading, walks in nature and more prayer/meditation. The biggest impact has been the reduction of unhealthy images in my mind, both words and photographs. I much prefer reading words that nudge me to explore their meaning and to liberate and purify my imagination to create healthy vibes in the universe.
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Two New Books
two new books to read
ms
words planted on blank pages
bearing fruit in souls -
Looking Fashionable
I’m afraid that wearing masks is going to be a part of the future, so I might as well jump in and be fashionable. So, I’ve found these three masks designed by a local woman that I really like. They have the replaceable 5-layered PM2.5 activated carbon filters that slide in and out. The masks are made and distributed by shopvida. They have brought artists together to create these masks along other items then distribute them for the artists. They also are working with the artists and in partnership with SF-Marin Food Bank and Food Bank For New York, to provide meals to communities in need. The cloth is designed by a local woman named Karen Sothoron then made overseas.
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Winter Draws Near
falls morning stroll
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leaves wearing coat of frost
winter draws nearWe are on the second day of a five day cold stretch. Nighttime temperatures are to be around 20 degrees. The bright side is we’re expecting to have mostly sunny days. The last two days I’ve awoken to the beauty of a frost covered world. A reminder that winter is quickly approaching.