My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and the mystery of it all.
Keep doing the things that make you feel something. Keep doing the things you’re in love with. And if you don’t know what those are just yet, step out into the world, and find them. Because everything is waiting for you.
Victoria Erickson, Edge of Wonder
I like her use of the word “things” as plural rather than singular. It suggests that we step out into the world to uncover things we weren’t aware we loved, or better yet things that loved us. I’m off to coffee shop.
Once a child has learned to read alone, and can pick up a book without illustrations, he must become a creator, imagining the setting of the story, visualizing the characters, seeing facial expressions, hearing the inflection of voices. The author and the reader ‘know’ each other; they meet on the bridge of words.
Madeleine L’Engleo
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer
I have been blessed in my life with more than one experience of feeling unconditionally loved. Some were for short periods of time and others are still blooming. When we feel loved we will return for more and also return the love. The idea of the earth loving us is a stretch for many. But I believe nature is loving me when she creates predawn and sunset shows, or a field of yellow dandelions, or the meadowlark sings to me, or a chickadee responding to my whistle or that mule deer that turns and makes eye contact with me. And, I call that a sacred bond.
I took these images after leaving the coffee shop and heading to the transit center to catch the bus home yesterday. The sun was warming things up and much of the cold white blanket of frost was melting away. But not to worry because there is the promise of its return. I loved the patterns of the sunlight and shadows at the CSU Oval and felt the calling to walk among them. I soaked up the warm sunshine as I stood in it’s rays then felt the coolness when I stepped into the shadows. So shadows seemed to be the theme but there is always the need to post a few images of the white ice crystals clinging to those fallen leaves. You can click on the images below to see a larger image and slideshow.
This morning is crisp with no frost and a magnificent cloudless sky. My drive to meet Eric for coffee was directly into that bright sun. So I’ve done a bit of squinting. Have a wonderful weekend!
The way we treat the body of creation is, in the end, the way we treat the body of humanity.
John Philip Newell
I easily want to attribute this scene found near campus to college students , and I may be correct in that assumption, but that isn’t always the case. However, I would suggest a lack of maturity is probably behind this scenes rather than pointing to any specific group. I admit my lack of maturity at 25 allowed me to partake in shenanigans, such as tossing beer cans out the car window. This photo is a good demonstration of how we treat creation when it is seen as only an object. It’s not a pretty image and has me asking the question, how do I/we treat the body of humanity?
The less we allow ourselves to be touched by nature or to be present to nature the less we will believe nature to be the foundation of our life, that we are an essential part of nature and the less we will know about ourselves. When we do not know ourselves we are incapable of knowing others, yet we will think we do. Just watch how someone who thinks they know-it-all treats you and all of creation. I truly believe that what we do to the earth we are doing to ourselves, and the way we treat nature is the way we treat all of humanity and all of creation. I pray we lovingly touch nature and allow nature to lovingly touch us.
We awoke to a heavy fog and had a layer of ice to scrape off of the windshield. Now off to coffee. Stay warm!
I come here to listen, to nestle in the curve of the roots in a soft hollow of pine needles, to lean my bones against the column of white pine, to turn off the voice in my head until I can hear the voices outside it: the shhh of wind in needles, water trickling over rock, nuthatch tapping, chipmunks digging, beechnut falling, mosquito in my ear, and something more—something that is not me, for which we have no language, the wordless being of others in which we are never alone.
Robin Wall-Kimmerer
I find it interesting that squirrels usually make sure there is a tree between them and me. For some reason last week there seemed to be a bit more courage, a willingness to take more risk, for this squirrel. Then again it just could be they’re a photogenic squirrel wanting their photo taken. We didn’t talk but some connection was taking place. Yes, we are never alone. We awoke to a dusting of snow, overcast skies and cold. Now at the coffee shop and no appointments. Stay warm.
“Union with God is not something that needs acquired but realized.”
Martin Laird
It has been overcast and cold all day. After quiet time and a bowl of cereal I took the bus and walked to Mugs for my mocha which helps me get in my steps and exercise. I was greeted with a big smile from my barista, Jess. Met with high school classmates for our monthly lunch today then met with a friend at 1:45 pm at my place. Had a wonderful phone call with Duane after that. And, maybe snow later tonight.
I have been reading from a few new authors, and enjoying them, as well as rereading some books. I’ve found it true that we never read the same book twice. And, now that the colder weather is here I will probably be reading more. I have a couple more books coming from new authors which I really am excited to read.
As I look at this image I realize that it depicts how I’m living my life now. It includes my coffee life, my journaling, my reading and in the background, my camera. The coffee life provides a social outlet for me, time with friends and making new friends. It is not just about the mocha latte, although that’s an important part of it. Journaling is my way of documenting what is unfolding in my day, to continue to ask deep questions, and enjoy the pleasure of writing with fountain pens. It is also a letter to myself and the union with the Divine within me, what Meister Eckhart calls the Ground of my Being. And, I see books as seeds of discovery that hopefully take root and bring transformation within me so that I can become all that I was created to be. The hidden part of my life that is not seen in this image is my camera. It is through photography that I have come to see the world with the photographer’s eye, while accepting all the gifts of living this life. And, finally the essence of this image depicts some of the tools I use on this Spiritual Path I’m walking. Yes, I have a grateful heart this evening. Stay warm!
I know plenty of people who find God most reliably in books, in buildings, and even in other people. I have found God in all of these places too, but the most reliable meeting place for me has always been creation.
Barbara Brown Taylor
The only sound was from my boots crunching the gravel under my feet as I walked to a favorite location along the ridge above Pineridge Natural Area. I like this spot because I can look out to the eastern horizon and find the skies reflection in Dixon Reservoir. When I arrived I setup my tripod then stood, listening to the silence. I like this meeting place in creation. I also didn’t want to take a photo but as you can see I did. Hope you have had a good day.
Wisdom suggests new perspectives on ultimate questions: one does not “possess” wisdom but rather is possessed by it.
Experiencing Spirituality
On my way to Windsor to meet Eric this morning for coffee I stopped to accept the gift of this sunrise. A snapshot basically: the bright sun blowing out the highlights and showing the dust on my lens. I must admit I enjoy my drives through the country to meet Eric. Helps start the Saturdays. Hope you had a good Saturday!
