• National Parks,  quotes,  Rocky Mountain National Park

    When will it end?

    The peace and calm of Sprague Lake

    “One thing I have felt confident about for a good portion of my life is that it is mainly on the surface that we are different. We are not nearly as separate as we sometimes feel ourselves to be. Underneath our supposed differences we experience many similar emotions, longings, hopes, and dreams. The cosmic dance goes on in each and every one. It is the externals of appearance in behavior that divert our attention from the inner radiance and dynamic goodness within every being.”

    Joyce Rupp

    I feel sadness, anger, even rage, due to the insanity of political powers who are steeped in their own fears, hatred and insecurities, while continuing to believe the lie that violence will bring peace. Insanity. Man has proved for thousands of years that violence does not bring peace, whether that’s a fist fight on the school playground or dropping bombs on innocent people. It only increases our suffering. Insanity. I believe Joyce Rupp is spot on when she writes, “Underneath our supposed differences we experience many similar emotions, longings, hopes, and dreams.” We are more alike than different.

    Our world seems quite insane at the moment. According to this report, in the past seven months an estimated 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza.  They are also estimating about 52% of those killed have been women and children. Insanity. And, that my friends, is a lot of emotions, longings, hopes, and dreams that will never be fulfilled. How can we possibly believe there will be peace when that kind of thinking only brings more resentment, hatred and violence? Insanity. Meanwhile over in Ukraine, the death toll of Russian soldiers is estimated higher than 50,000. And, Ukraine said in February that it had lost 31,000 soldiers. Insanity. According to the Geneva Academy more than 45 armed conflicts are currently taking place throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Africa has more than 35 armed conflicts taking place. Asia has 19 armed conflicts. Europe has seven armed conflicts at this time. And, six armed conflicts are taking place in Latin America. All of this is Insanity at its highest level. When will it end? And, this insanity is alive and well within our country.

    Well, what if we shower them (and all of creation) with kindness, hope and love instead of hatred, fear and bombs. And, what if we embraced a spirit of forgiveness. What if we embrace our innate courage to look at “the inner radiance and dynamic goodness within every being”, including ourselves, rather than outward appearances. What if we enter into an open dialogue with a focus on understanding one another? Are we willing to believe there can be change or are we to continue living with this insanity? I’m willing to believe we can make that change!

  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  Avian,  natural areas,  quotes

    Wishing Happiness for Others

    All the joy the world contains
    Has come through wishing happiness for others.
    All the misery the world contains
    Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.

    The Way of the Bodhisattva

    I drove through Arapaho Bend Natural Area on my way back from my coffee and conversation with Eric. I saw three Golden Eagles but they were out of my lens range. A couple minutes later I watched and listened to this meadowlark sing. I want to believe the meadowlarks song is offering joy by wishing happiness for others. Now sitting outside enjoying the cool wind and lovely clouds! Enjoy your Saturday!

  • coffee life,  latte art,  quotes

    Compassion

    Kelsey’s latte art

    Compassion means to come close to the one who suffers… A compassionate person says I am your brother, I am your sister, I am human, fragile, and mortal, just like you… We can be with the other only when the other ceases to be other and becomes like us.

    Henri Nouwen

    We all suffer. Even those with money, food, good health, a job, nice home with two cars and money in savings. I would venture to say most people hide their suffering, maybe even denying it. We can easily believe that because we have stuff we are not suffering and therefore different than others. We can even feel that even when we only have one car. Accumulating stuff can lead to a lack of compassion.

    I would love to see more compassion in our world. Maybe take it one step further and make it empathy not just compassion. And to have compassion and empathy, we must cease to see others as different from us and see them to be just like us. We are, at the core, all the same. I think the above quote is spot on.

    I am sharing this nice photo of Kelsey’s latte art. I enjoy ordering a cappuccino or mocha just so I can see what kind of artwork they will produce. It is a beautiful summer morning, clear skies and sunshine. May you have a wonderful Friday.

  • landscape,  quotes

    Season Tickets

    Light is the greatest unnoticed force of transfiguration in the world: it literally alters everything it touches and through color dresses nature to delight, befriend, inspire and shelter us.

    John O’Donohue

    The later afternoon light brings out the blue of the water and the gold of the grass in this marshy area. The weeds, grass and water provide a lovely stage for the music of blackbirds, meadowlarks, ducks and geese. It won’t be long and more waterfowl will fill this area for more photo opportunities and concerts. Maybe I’ll buy season tickets.

  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    Learning to Become Human

    Morning walk at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area

    All nature is waiting for us to become conscious because there’s a particular quality of consciousness that only humans can provide. Nature needs that consciousness; cries out for it. And the process of deciphering Nature’s need, then discovering how to respond to it, is what’s called learning to become human.

    Peter Kingsley

    After quiet time I moved on to my morning mocha made by Hannah at Starry Night. It was an unusual 68 degrees so I began to question why I was sitting inside. Then the busyness and noise of the shop nudged me to drive to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area and get in some journaling and a walk. It was a wise choice! The clouds were amazing. The meadowlarks sang from their hearts and were accompanied by a group of crickets in the tall grass. These are some of my favorite musicians. Not sure how much nature is conscious of my presence but I know I was conscious of my presence within nature. I’m learning to become more human.

  • Avian,  nature,  quotes

    Reservoir of Life

    As long as Earth remains an “it,” a “thing,” rather than a living vibrant reservoir of life, humans will continue to use and abuse her. We need a loving relationship with this generous, vulnerable planet in which we live. Only then will we allow her songs of rich abundance to dance in the rhythms of our lives, only then will we respond with reverent care and live with daily gratitude.

    Joyce Rupp
  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  mountains,  sunsets

    Those Were Good Days

    I attended a friend’s retirement party this past week. On my way home I noticed the late afternoon clouds allowing the sun’s rays to stretch out over the water. Without much thought I pulled into the parking lot so I could take a photo. Wonderful memories of my youth ran through my mind. I lived about nine blocks south of this spot. So, I would ride my bicycle to this lake and fish for Crappie along this south bank. This side of the lake was lined with large rocks and cottonwood trees, whose roots reached into the water, providing a wonderful habitat for the fish.

    Late afternoon light over Lake Loveland

    Lake Loveland was created in 1893 out of a swampy depression known as Hays Lake. In early years, the primary purpose of the lake was irrigation for farming, but the majority of the lake is now owned by the City of Greeley who uses it for a domestic water source. The lake is fed by ditch waters diverted from the Big Thompson river. When full, Lake Loveland fills a basin of 475 acres with a deep-water depth mark of 39.45 feet. After loading the images onto my computer I felt a bit regretful not staying longer, letting more memories rise in my mind and soul. Those were good days.