• coffee life,  landscape,  latte art,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    There for a reason…

    January 10, 2024

    “There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.”

    Paulo Coelho

    It is cold and the wind continues to blow this morning. Made my way to Pineridge Natural Area for the predawn colors. I watched as the wind scattered the ever changing clouds across the canvas sky. I felt within the sense of drama in nature as she constantly reshaped the clouds according to the wind’s whims. I’m now enjoying my mocha latte at Starry Night then will meet Mark for breakfast as he and I continue our fantasy quest of solving the world’s troubles. I say that with tongue-in-cheek as he and I realize changing the world always starts with ourselves. I feel I am finding that facing and overcoming troubles is much more of an adventure than just an unwanted task. In my past I had the tendency to run from them. Now there is more of a desire to learn from the lessons. Just facing them is a lesson. May you have a wonderful day, overcoming any and all problems while learning life’s lessons! Stay warm!

    Hannah’s latte art – Showing off again
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  • leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    Endless Chatter

    August 10, 2022

    “What deadens us most to God’s presence within us, I think, is the inner dialogue that we are continuously engaged in with ourselves, the endless chatter of human thought. I suspect that there is nothing more crucial to true spiritual comfort . . . than being able from time to time to stop that chatter . . . ”

    Frederick Buechner

    While waiting for a friend at the park I wandered around a tree and took a dozen photos of assorted leaves. I realized how accurate Paulo Coelho is when he states, “In a forest of a hundred thousand trees, no two leaves are alike. And no two journeys along the same path are alike.” In the past I may have wandered around in my head waiting for my friend rather than noticing the leaves. I find it enjoyable at this stage in my life to have tools to let go of the chatter, allowing me to stay more present to the world around me. And when that happens I’m more engaged in spiritual comfort.

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  • lifestyles,  quotes

    Within the Parentheses

    November 24, 2021
    Ropes of a hammock

    We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.

    Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

    There are moments throughout my day where I do not feel like it is a precious moment. It feels like a struggle to face the next moment, let alone the one I’m presently in. Yet I find taking a deep breath, saying some form of prayer, even a simple word such as thanks or help, and I can walk through the moment. Even then it may not feel like a precious moment but I believe I lived within the parentheses. How about you?

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  • grass,  landscape,  Plants,  quotes,  sunsets

    Why?

    October 21, 2021

    There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them.
    But they are there for a reason.
    Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.

    Paulo Coelho

    A cold morning. Have some cleaning around the condo from all the mold mitigation work done. Everything passed so I’m back in the condo. Want to repair a couple things then paint inside before I have the vinyl plank flooring installed next month. Enjoy your day! Why? Because I said so!

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  • Plants,  quotes

    Accept the Moment

    July 31, 2013

    Milkweed Bugs
    Romping in the Pollen

    “When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”
    ― Paulo Coelho, The Devil and Miss Prym

    Being the dreamer that I am, I’ve had a tendency to wander off to the past or the future, knowing I cannot live in either. As I’ve lived with life’s necessary lessons, I’m more prone to live in the present moment. I’m not as prone to look back on choices and experiences that have altered my life with “regrets.” The regrets have been replaced with gratitude, allowing me to enjoy the wonders of the moment. Photography has also helped in that process. If I allow it, the camera offers me a chance to look closer and more intent at life. It helps me slow down, take it all in and enjoy all that is in front of me. Most importantly, my camera can only take images of the present moment. No need to look back. Instead accept the moment.

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