• Candid Portraits,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    Love is…

    March 24, 2022

    Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.

    Marianne Williamson

    It was just after 7:30 am and the morning light on Adriana’s auburn hair was radiating around her! She was in the spotlight. Love is shining on her and in her. She agreed to let me take a shot while she continued to work on her computer. The subject, the light and the moment, all make this image a meaningful moment. Thank you, Adriana.

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  • grass,  Plants,  quotes

    Discouragement

    March 4, 2022
    Crested Wheat grass at Arapaho Bend Natural Area

    Too many times discouragement has been the bonus for unrealistic expectations, not to mention self-pity or fatigue from my wanting to change the world by the weekend.

    Daily Reflections, March 2

    Last Monday was not a good emotional and mental day for me. I felt like running away from the chaotic state of this world and those creating it. Knowing there is no place called “away”, I drove to one of my natural areas to find some solace, some comforting and healing. They are my sanctuaries. The sun felt good as my body soaked it up. A cool breeze blew lightly in my face. After a few much needed deep breaths I knew I had my feet back on the ground and to move on with the day. Sometime later after talking with friends I realized my difficult feelings were the disappointments I have with the world. I desire all things to be in perfect harmony and without discord but that is not life. My unrealistic expectations brought on those discouragements. Setting realistic expectations and living in acceptance of what I cannot change and what I can change is something I’m slowly learning. Learning patience and acceptance.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  Reservoir Ridge Natural Area,  sunsets

    A paragraph at a time…

    December 5, 2021

    “The acceptance of oneself is the essence of the whole moral problem and the epitome of a whole outlook on life. That I feed the hungry, that I forgive an insult, that I love my enemy in the name of Christ — all these are undoubtedly great virtues. What I do unto the least of my brethren, that I do unto Christ. But what if I should discover that the least among them all, the poorest of all the beggars, the most impudent of all the offenders, the very enemy himself — that these are within me, and that I myself stand in need of the alms of my own kindness — that I myself am the enemy who must be loved — what then? As a rule, the Christian’s attitude is then reversed; there is no longer any question of love or long-suffering; we say to the brother within us “Raca,” and condemn and rage against ourselves. We hide it from the world; we refuse to admit ever having met this least among the lowly in ourselves.”

    C.G. Jung

    Philosophy has had my interest for the past 25 years but reading some of it can be daunting for me. Yet I have this desire to know myself at a deep level, to gain some enlightenment of the struggles all humans face and more. I have read small bits and pieces of Carl Gustav Jung and know he has impacted many authors I read. I am currently reading my first of his books, The Undiscovered Self. With my thinker this may be a paragraph at a time. Wish me luck.😂

    It was three years ago today that I had my open heart surgery where they replaced my aortic valve. Emotional. Grateful.

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  • quotes,  spirituality

    Experiencing Spirituality

    April 27, 2009

     

    Daisies
    Daisies

    “If we can accept the reality of our imperfection, the fact that we are put together funny, that we are, by our very nature, limited and thus do not have absolute control over our lives, we are taking the tentative steps that are all that we can take on the pilgrimage that is spirituality. Once we accept the common denominator of our own imperfection, once we begin to put into practice the belief that imperfection is the reality we have most in common with all other people, then the defenses that deceive us begin to fall away, and we can begin to see ourselves and others as we all really are.” The Spirituality of Imperfection

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  • writing/reading

    Accepting the Moment

    January 15, 2009

    “When we can be in touch with what is wonderful in the present moment, we are nourished and healed. When our energy of right mindfulness has become solid, we can use it to recognize and embrace our suffering and pain, our anger and hatred, our greed, violence, jealousy, and despair. Dwelling peacefully in the present moment can bring about wonderful healing, and can take ourselves out of the clutches of regret about and attachment to the past, and of our worries and fear of the future.” The Energy of Prayer by Thich Nhat Hanh

    Reading back over some early journaling of mine I found the word “want” as a consistent theme. The word was standing out boldly and caused me to ask why I was using it. Each time I used the word, it was in reference to the past or future. I became aware of how easily I moved away from the present and journeyed to another time where I cannot physically live. As the Buddha taught, “The past is already gone. the future has not yet come. Life can only be touched in the present moment.” I realized I was not accepting the present moment.

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