My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and asking deep questions.
I attended a wonderful program last night at CSU. A friend and fellow coffee shop regular, John Barnhardt, told his story of his 27 years as a cinematographer. He shared how he has wanted to make movies since he was about 9 years old. Through hard work and dedication he has/is achieving that dream, which includes winning an Emmy for some of his work. I was impressed with his openness and his vulnerability in telling his a story. I left inspired by his story, the journey he has taken, the challenges he has faced, developing his talents and gifts as a photographer and cinematographer, and how he inspires the students at CSU to believe in themselves and work towards their passions, finding their purpose, and offering their creativity to the world. I encourage you to check out his website.
I pushed the order button on March 2nd for a beginners Native American Style flute, also called a Love flute. I could give you a list of reasons for justifications but it had more to do with impulse than anything else. I have always connected to the sound of Native American flutes. It’s not a loud instrument, does not require a battery or power outlet, has little maintenance, you don’t need to read music, and you can easily take it anywhere. I have never played a wind instrument in my life so this is my first. And, I quickly discovered I wanted a flute made by the hand of a craftsman and out of wood. Some are beautiful works of art and some are simple works of art. I chose a simple work of art and one designed for a beginner.
Danja portrait
While taking sunset photos and selfies of me practicing on my Native American flute on Thursday evening, I met a wedding photographer, Danja, who was shooting a young couple’s engagement photos near me. Afterwards, they thanked me for serenading them while they did their photos. I was surprised by their comment because I’m not sure I would call what they heard as serenading. It was more about trying to keep all squawks, squeaks and whistles to a minimum. Then Danja asked if she could take a photo of me playing the flute. The top image is what she sent me the next morning. Thank you for the image, Danja!!
Self-portrait
I’ve discovered online lessons and courses through youtube and a couple of websites to help me along this journey. I’m taking one online course now. As you know I enjoy spending time in the natural areas and I can think of no better place to play a Native American flute than in nature. I’m finding these locations are ideal to practice learning how the flute and I can make music together. I’m 74 years old and do not know when I will take my last heartbeat. So it seems reasonable to give this some good old discipline, practice, and be both patient and gentle with myself. I plan on carrying it when I ride the bicycle along the trails, stopping when I find a secluded area and play. My hope is for the flute to be another tool on this spiritual journey I’m traveling.
We were born with silence, and as we grew up we lost the silence and we were filled with words. We lived in our hearts, and as time passed we moved into our heads. Now the reverse of this journey is enlightenment. It is the journey from the head back to the heart, from words back to silence; getting back to our innocence in spite of our intelligence.
Eckhart Tolle
My life is filled with silence. I have not listened to music for many years. And, when people share about their favorite music, musician or movie, I am unable to be a part of the conversation because my life no longer includes that. The music I most enjoy now is the silent sounds of nature. Therefore, I spend a lot of time in the local natural areas. Happy Sunday!
When you regain a sense of your life as a journey of discovery, you return to rhythm with yourself. When you take the time to travel with reverence, a richer life unfolds before you. Moments of beauty begin to braid your days.
John O’Donohue
As I parked the car at Pineridge Natural Area this morning, I realized I was moving in autopilot mode. I only took two photos then headed to the coffee shop. Any inspiration to be there was lacking. I know one reason was the cold. Another reason was because my chattering mind kept me from being present to any journey of discovery or reverence. That’s not my norm. The above quote has been sitting in waiting for the right time to be posted and this seems to be the day. This morning there was almost no reverence of my presence to myself or the natural world I am a part of. As I have journeyed through the day, and that is what each day is for, a sense of peace and reverence has settled in and I am grateful for my life! I hope you had a good day and stay warm!
Dark Chocolate Petit Beurre Biscuits and chocolate milk
“As the pen rises from the page between words, so the walker’s feet rise and fall between paces, and as the deer continues to run as it bounds from the earth and the dolphin continues to swim even as it leaps again and again from the sea, so writing and wayfaring are continuous activities, a running stitch, a persistence of the same seam or stream.”
Robert Macfarlane, The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot
Nothing like a couple of Dark Chocolate Petit Beurre Biscuits and a small glass of chocolate milk to add to my journaling experience. My journaling has been a continuous practice in my life, a journey, a path I enjoy walking, one word, one step at a time.
Setting sun at Arapaho Bend Natural Area – Nov. 2023
To journey without being changed, is to be a nomad. To change without journeying is to be a chameleon. To journey and be transformed by the journey is to be a pilgrim.
Mark Nepo, The Exquisite Risk
I love the idea of transformation by the journey. And the journey I am referring to is an inward journey. I tried the geographical change but that didn’t work. I spent way too much of my life being a chameleon and that didn’t work. It has only been in the last few years that looking inward has become a door into an accurate self-awareness. Who I thought I thought I was, was not accurate because the glasses I was using to see myself needed to be replaced. My inward journey has included self-examination, prayer and meditation which have become an unshakable foundation in my life. It’s a regular part of my daily practice and I enjoy being a pilgrim!!
“There comes a time on our mystical journey when prayer embraces all of life. We are always inwardly in a state of prayer….How can one not live a life of prayer when we have so much need, when so much is given?”
Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Prayer of the Heart
I know that some viewers of this blog will be tired of all my landscape images that include clouds. I’ve actually been told that. I also know some won’t. But I never get tired of being there, experiencing all of it, taking a few images when I can to share, because we truly are given so much. And, I call it prayer…
When we arrive on earth, we are provided with no map for our life journey. Only gradually, as our identity forms and we get an inkling of who we are, do possibilities begin to emerge that call us. It is one of the weightiest decisions: to decide what to do with our life. The challenge is to find a way of life that will be in harmony with our gifts and needs.
John O’Donohue
Today’s life journey started with prayer and meditation then moved on to include time at Pineridge Natural Area. The stunning clouds had a softness to them where I wanted to reach out and touch them. There was also a hint of pink in them when I first arrived. The quiet over the meadow was only broken when the blackbirds would sing along the shallows of the reservoir. I was given a special gift as a break in the clouds allowed the sun to send a ray of sunlight upon the earth. I have a crockpot of cabbage and sausage cooking, enjoyed a mocha latte and a barista smile! Who knows, maybe a nap later. Enjoy your day’s journey!
