My online journal sharing interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.
Joseph Campbell
There are times when nature stops me in my tracks. It could be a familiar scene we see regularly such as these leaves. Today it was the life giving viens of these leaves that awoke my consciousness. And, I hear October tapping on the door. I’m ready for the transformation of the world around me into the season of fall. 😊
Solitude has its own special work: a deepening awareness that the world needs. A struggle against alienation. True solitude is deeply aware of the world’s needs. It does not hold the world at arm’s length.
Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
I consider myself a man of solitude, even more-so over the past few years. Some of that is due to a practice of prayer, silence, meditation, photography, a need for connection to nature and maturity through life experiences. One grandson calls me a hermit but mostly because I have a simple life, less attachment to things than he does.
My solitude does not alienate me from some of the brokenness within the world. There are ways to keep abreast of world situations without sitting in front of a television or having our face glued to the news feed on our phones. Admittedly, I’ve been guilty of all the above. I’m finding ways to stay actively connected to the world, find solitude and not be alienated from the world.
We are a part of all creation, not apart from. Wayne Teasdale says to experience solitude as a mystic or monk in the world and not be alienated from it is to be “… engaged in the world and with others but not attached to the world’s greed, indifference, insensitivity, noise, confusion, pettiness, unease, tension and irreverence.” I may be more aware of the worlds needs than I have ever been and always a part of it.
“Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work; a future. To be courageous is not necessarily to go anywhere or do anything except to make conscious those things we already feel deeply and then to live through the unending vulnerabilities of those consequences.”
David Whyte
What a wonderful wedding for my granddaughter yesterday. The weather cooperated, lots of tears were shed, joy and love was experienced by family and friends, and food was a plenty. The wedding had to be postponed for a year due to the pandemic and our restrictions. I believe it was worth the wait. I pray for a blessed marriage of many years. Congratulations Madie and Brandon. I love you! ❤️
I told myself there probably would not be many opportunities for images when saw the overcast skies as I left the condo. However, I no longer go to the natural areas just get a photo. I go because I want to be there and hopefully nature expects me to show up. Rather unusual scene at Pineridge Natural Area as the clouds offered only a small crease on the horizon to allow the pink glow of the sunrise to peek through. Simple processing: increased exposure to lighten the sky, touch of noise reduction and a 16:9 crop. Shot at 1.2 sec, f 8.0 and iso 800, on a tripod.
This morning is my granddaughters wedding rehearsal and tomorrow afternoon is the wedding. Tried on my sport jacket and danged if it hasn’t also been affected by the pandemic shrinkage problem. 😁
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
Elie Wiesel
As I walked into my bedroom the sun reflecting off the glass in the picture frame caught my eye. So, I grabbed my camera and composed this image. Another scene I was not looking for but given me. Morning light!
Wandered about the CSU Flower Trial Garden. Even though it’s near the end of the season for them it was a good way to spend a warm sunny fall afternoon.