When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it is like the dawn breaking within you.
John O’Donohue, Anam Cara
When Love Awakens
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This morning’s predawn light and cloudless sky -
Wonders and Realities
The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us the less taste we shall have for the destruction of our race. Wonder and humility are wholesome emotions, and they do not exist side by side with a lust for destruction.
Rachel Carson, The Sense of WonderWhen you first look at this image you will see three mushrooms in the grass. But If you look closely (enlarge the image if you need to) you will see the wonders and realities of this world on many of the blades of grass where a tiny single dew drop clings to its tip. Yes, wonders and realities!
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The Clouds
I stopped near Arapaho Bend Natural Area to soak up the sun and the clouds. I came to journal before going to my annual checkup this morning with my PCP. I bought a mocha latte on my way which added to the joy of journaling.
I watched as fog settled low among the trees that line the banks of the Poudre River. A few geese and ducks were having their morning conversation on the small pond just to my left. The clouds had this beautiful pattern that seemed to be reaching out across the sky. As any good photographer would do, I took a few photographs of nature’s artwork. The sun sat behind the clouds, the radiant globe it is. I soaked up its warmth, medicine to my soul. At that moment I felt gratitude for being alive.
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Mystery of This Universe
Sunrise at 6:26 am this morning Just as darkness brings rest and release, so the dawn brings awakening and renewal. In our mediocrity and distraction, we forget that we are privileged to live in a wondrous universe. Each day, the dawn unveils the mystery of this universe. Dawn is the ultimate surprise; it awakens us to the immense “thereness” of nature. The wonderful subtle color of the universe arises to clothe everything.
John O’Donohue, from Anam CaraAfter prayer and meditation, I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area for sunrise. I found a new and more comfortable rock to sit on and set up my tripod. I loved the scent of the wet grass and sagebrush that surrounded me. I then enjoyed my second period of prayer and meditation this morning. Have a wonderful day!!
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Wonder
Wonder – that edge state on the rim of understanding, where the mind touches mystery – is our best means of loving the world more deeply.
Maria PopovaThis is sunrise 3 days ago. This morning we had 61 degrees, 99% humidity and overcast skies so it looks much different today. It made for an invigorating bicycle ride to the coffee shop, but well worth it. Those clouds have burned of slightly, a bit of sunshine is out but rain is expected later today. Yes, the wonder it all!
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Exploring..
Hemp dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) covered in dew We shall not cease from exploration,
T.S. Eliot
and the end of all our exploring
will be to arrive where we started
and know the place for the first time.It was a cool bicycle ride on this August morning. The temperature was at 56 degrees and the humidity was over 90% when I mounted the red steed and headed for the coffee shop. I could see the fog lazily drifting along the eastern horizon but we had none here. I had never thought of my bicycling as a form of exploration but I am coming to see that it is. It is not much different than walking the trails, at least at the meandering speed I pedal. I needed to stop on the way home and photograph these (Apocynum cannabinum) leaves covered in dew along Spring Creek Trail. The leaves and stems are quite lovely but probably not something to put in your salad ( see the link). I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!
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Harvesting My Failures
What a blessing it is to outlive our self-judgments and harvest our failures.
Rachel Naomi RemenAs I’ve mentioned in previous posts I’m learning how to play the Native American style flute. I simply love its earthy sound and it’s so very simple. It does not require electricity or a battery, just my breath, intention and of course practice. I’m finding it to be a great teacher and helping me to let go of my negative self-judgement. It’s teaching me to be patient with myself and not be critical, and as the quote above suggests, to harvest my failures. I have much to learn in breath control, fingering exercises, learning mouth positioning, rhythm, and keeping squawks, squeaks and whistles to a minimum. Eventually I will learn a few songs as well as the ones found within me. More practice.
I see the Native American style flutes as beautiful works of art as well as musical instruments. This is an image of a second Native Sunrise flute I ordered made by Ron Stutz. My other one made by him is in the key of A and made of Spanish Cedar. This one is made of Cherry wood and in the key of G. To me they are works of art. I have a small rack to put these two flutes on along with the Joe Loftin flute and they become art in my home. Now back to practice.
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To be an inner artist…
Each one of us is doomed and privileged to be an inner artist
John O’Donohue
who carries and shapes a unique world.Jeff and I both noticed our bicycle ride to coffee felt like fall this morning. I have been getting up 15 minutes earlier than I usually do and checking to see if the eastern sky looks promising. It did this morning so I drove up to Pineridge Natural Area. My morning there was a calm, serene place and time. Just what I needed. And, I spent time journaling which helps shape my unique inner world as an artist. I did return home with a couple of images I liked. I’m noticing there are fewer birds in the natural areas as some head south. As I wrote that, I comically wondered if maybe the birds know the students are back in town and that’s why they are headed south. The noise level and traffic definitely increases when they arrive! Anyway this was a scene on campus this morning while riding to Mugs at CSU. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
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Pollinators
This image is of a Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower Bees are known to be good pollinators and they have the distinction of having a spelling contest named after them. However, not many people are aware that wasps are also pollinators but they do not have a spelling contest named after them. Wasps look much like bees, but are generally not covered with fuzzy hairs. As a result, they are much less efficient in pollinating flowers, because pollen is less likely to stick to their bodies and to be moved from flower to flower. Wasps are omnivores and eat other insects, invertebrates, and nectar. Wasps prey on other insects to give to their larvae. Adult wasps only eat sugars, though. Wasps get hydration and sugar from drinking the nectar from flowers or fruits. As they drink the nectar from flowers, they passively transfer pollen between flowers. The parasitic forms of wasps lay their eggs on or in other insects or invertebrates, and they become the hosts. Enough about pollinators. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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Mornings are a Gift
The sage would remind us of the following:
Tao Te Ching (78) By Lao Tzu by: Julian von Bargen, John Braun, Jr., David Warkentin
None should rule who hold themselves above the people.
Only by living, working, suffering alongside them can one truly be a leader.One of the blessings of growing older for me has been the discovery that mornings are a gift. Since I’m not the party animal of yesteryears, going to bed early and getting up early are the norm. There is something that comes alive in me when I experience the quiet and stillness of this time of the day. I feel more alive than I did when chasing things that I expected to help me be alive. I am aware of the need to participate within the world, to experience it, and receive it as a gift.
It’s interesting to note how clouds are always shifting, changing shapes and colors. It is almost unperceivable to the human eye. Yet, a 28 second exposure lets us know of their gradual changing. Observing that is a gift to me. I am heading out to meet friends who are in town and catch up. Have a wonderful weekend!
