I have friends vacationing in Hawaii with kids and grandkids. I’m a bit envious of them sitting on the beach working on a tan. All the photos they’ve sent include big smiles. Yet, this morning while visiting the Top Minnow Natural Area, I was reminded by the red-winged blackbirds and the meadowlarks of just how beautiful it is right here. They were reminding through their joyful songs to be grateful for where I’m at and what I have. These two Canada Goose told me the same thing. I’m learning to listen to the wisdom of nature more often.
clouds speak with brilliance telling of the day that was given watching silent sunset on the farm may I never be too busy to listen with my inner ear
ms
“Poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence. It forms the quality of the light within which we predicate our hopes and dreams toward survival and change, first made into language, then into idea, then into more tangible action. Poetry is the way we help give name to the nameless so it can be thought. The farthest horizons of our hopes and fears are cobbled by our poems, carved from the rock experiences of our daily lives.” Audre Lorde
Snow began yesterday afternoon and continued through the night. My guess is 4-5 inches total. However, it was warm enough to start as a wet snow which created a layer of ice under the remaining snowfall. I found it quite icey to walk in, almost falling once. The above image of the doors and stairs is the school of business sciences building at CSU about 7:10 this morning. No footprints in the snow yet.
Thankfully it is not very cold although we will not get above freezing. I do enjoy the art winter creates. I didn’t even notice the cold but found myself being grateful for the beauty.
Most people don’t look… the gaze that pierces – few have it – what does the gaze pierce? The question mark.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
It was -8 degrees at 6:30 am. That’s too dang cold. Wearing wool socks, two pair. Made a French press but it was cold before the first sip. And, it’s snowed. It may sound like I’m whining because I am. I also have an attitude! Our countries unrest doesn’t help the attitude. The thought crosses my mind to sell my condo and move south. Whining! So, about 9:30, after it had warmed up to -4 degrees, I headed to the natural area. Needed time in the sanctuary of nature as it’s therapy for this negative thinking I find myself in. I needed to gaze at the world around me rather than the four walls of my condo or the prison of my thinking. Found the parking area empty, fresh snow and shadows as the sun began to break through. I immediately began to feel better!
A friend sent me a short reading that reminded me of the value of beginning our day with gratitude. I realized that sure wasn’t how I began today. So, I restarted my day with a gratitude list in my journal. Beginning to feel even better but still cold.
morning sun enters through my window warms my soul with its abounding grace grateful and blessed for this life I live filled with love of family and friends
solitude and silence the foundations of my life it’s the staff I need to walk through life raises me up when I fall, again and again where I discern my chatter from your words
prayer and meditation my daily practice a lifeline to grasp when I begin to wander lifting the spirit when life weighs heavy opens a door to knowing beyond thinking
it’s been said that if the only prayer we say is thank you, that would suffice so I’m thankful for this wonderful life happy thanksgiving to you!
grateful for the gifts rising from within the soul unspoken words
ms
Reflecting this morning on the gift of words that appear on pages when I journal. This led me to reflect on the words I read from the blogs I follow, the words that rise within you. When you share what you’re feeling, your experiences, what you see, and the joys and struggles of your daily lives, I see them as a gift of unspoken words now heard. So, thank you!
“Let’s work to enjoy every sunrise and every sunset to the maximum degree possible, soaking it all in, mindfully.” Beth Frates
I believe each day is a chance for gratitude, not that I do that each morning. It’s progress I’m after. This morning started out with a red sky in the east but has been cold and overcast with a chance of snow. So that red sky offered a moment of gratitude. I am also grateful for this small little condo I have. It is a cozy one bedroom, one bath place of about 760 square feet. It’s just right for a slothful bachelor to keep “sorta” clean. I am grateful for the wicker rocker I’m sitting in that looks out from my bedroom bay window. This window faces south/southeast so with morning sun coming in I have a place for quiet time in the sun. Yes, feeling some gratitude this morning. Stay warm!
