• leaves,  quotes

    A Path of Grace

    September 18, 2024
    Two leaves, similar but different

    We do not want our lives to signify nothing. This would be the most profound and ungrateful ignorance: to remain childish in an aging vessel…Life’s longing for itself, is a path of grace.

    Kathleen Dowling-Singh

    I remember a morning when I was getting ready for work I felt tired, confused, probably hungover, unhappy, and questioning if this was all there was to life. I knew at that moment that I did not want the life I had. My life meant nothing to me. Somehow, and some will call it grace, I moved through that period to discover life is much more than I could foresee at that time. I found lifestyle changes that included letting go of some old thinking, believing, and most importantly an unhealthy lifestyle and career that was not fulfilling me. I look back at it now and see it was my time to let go of childish ways and begin living life’s longing for itself, growing up. Today, even with the challenges of everyday life in this aging vessel of mine, I want to live a path of grace.

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  • leaves,  quotes

    Leaves

    August 10, 2024

    For all the great thoughts I have read
    For all the deep books I have studied
    None has brought me near to spirit
    Than a walk beneath shimmering leaves.

    Steven Charleston, Spirit Wheel

    My walks over the past few days have been cooler and wet. The much needed moisture and a break from the heat is welcomed. I love walking in nature especially when green leaves are covered in dew from the mist. I was awakened during the night as thunder shook my room and rain tapped on my windows. I did not sleep well after that. This morning has been sunny but more storms later this afternoon. I also got in a nice bicycle ride while the weather was good. I will attend a friends retirement party this afternoon and probably overeat, again. Suspect a nap after that!! Enjoy your weekend!

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  • leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    Things are wet

    August 9, 2024

    You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.

    Henry David Thoreau

    Things are wet. And, because of that photo opportunities were everywhere. So, I took my camera with me to get the mail yesterday afternoon. And by doing that I stayed present as I’ve learned there is no other life but this. No mail but I did return with a few images that depict our weather condition. Even has a tinge of fall to it.

    So I had an enjoyable, serene, quiet time of prayer and meditation this morning. Then a half hour later burst out in profanity at my phone. Shows I am a work in progress. It is a cold, humid, and misty morning. It’s the perfect morning for an Old Town Mocha at Mugs and made by my barista, Emily. Have a wonderful Friday!

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  • leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    With the Child’s Eye

    July 13, 2024

    Childhood means simplicity. Look at the world with the child’s eye – it is very beautiful.

    Kailash Satyarthi

    The colors, the shapes, and the patterns of nature in the summer are amazing if we stop and look. This morning I stopped and looked with the child’s eye. Now at Coffee House 29 to meet Eric for coffee and conversation. It’s gonna be another hot day.

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  • leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    New Growth

    June 15, 2024

    To live a truly creative life, we always need to cast the critical look at where we presently are, attempting always to discern where we have become stagnant and where new beginning might be a ripening. There can be no growth if we do not remain open and vulnerable to what is new and different. I have never seen anyone take a risk for growth that was not rewarded a thousand times over.

    John O’Donohue
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  • leaves,  quotes

    What our eyes see…

    May 26, 2024

    The years to come – this is a promise – will grant you ample time to try the difficult steps in the empire of thought where you seek for the shining proofs you think you must have,. But nothing you ever understand will be sweeter, or more binding, than the deepest affinity between your eyes and the world.

    Mary Oliver

    Have a wonderful Sunday!

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  • leaves,  quotes

    Never Doubt

    January 12, 2024

    “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

    Margaret Mead

    Clouds began rolling in just before noon. Forecast is for snow later tonight and into tomorrow and bitter cold, with a wind chill warning of 40 below. The cold is expected to hang around over the next 3 days. I did make it to a coffee shop this morning. And, believe it or not there were a few brave bicyclists out on this blustery day. I’m not that brave or maybe I’m wiser. I took this image of a backlit leaf a week ago. I assume the leaf is most likely in Kansas or beyond by now. Stay warm and hang on to your hat.

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