My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Took this image on Monday morning at campus. Love how nature trimmed the edges of this leaf. Caught my eye immediately. I’m posting this at midnight so by the time you read this it could be raining or snowing here, again.
I had someone thank me on Veterans Day for my time in the military. It rubbed me wrong. Took me a few days to understand some of what I felt. I had been raised to believe the purpose of the military was defend this country, that Vietnam was a security threat, so I joined the military in October of 1968 with all intents to go to Vietnam. Train me how to use this M16 and I’ll use it. Thankfully I did not make it to Vietnam. I have since come to believe how this conflict was not a war to defend our country. I’ve also come to believe that there are no victors in war, all are losers. Seems we send way too many young people into combat for reasons beside defence of our country. Yes, I’ll stick with love.
“To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements,…True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, welcome, and accept.” Henri Nouwen
“Spirituality is not to be learned by flight from the world, or by running away from things, or by turning solitary and going apart from the world. Rather, we must learn an inner solitude wherever or with whomsoever we may be. We must learn to penetrate things and find God there.” Meister Eckhart
One of the first images I made with my first digital camera the Nikon D100
“Photography is not about cameras, gadgets and gizmos. Photography is about photographers. A camera didn’t make a great picture any more than a typewriter wrote a great novel.”Peter Adams
A few days ago Fujifilm announced the release of the pro Fujifilm X-T3 camera body and the new Fujifilm XF16-80mm f4.0 lens now in a kit. The lens is something I really want and will most likely buy in the future, but I really do not need the pro camera. However, in a very short time I was convincing myself I’d make better images with two new tools and my mind became totally occupied on working out a plan to justify the purchase of both. It took several hours of this mental masterbation before reality checked in and I knew that no lie could justify the purchase of both. Maybe I should post the above quote on my bathroom mirror to help me remember. Or, maybe I should sell my condo and buy the kit. Or, my car. I know, I’ll take out a second mortgage. Sell my oldest grandchild. Sigh!
To those who see with loving eyes, life is beautiful. To those who speak with tender voices, life is peaceful. To those who help with gentle hands, life is full. And to those who care with compassionate hearts, life is good beyond all measure.
Those with a vision of new horizons are never lost. I have found myself wandering aimlessly because I was without a vision. At this stage in my life I’ve come to believe those who have found a spiritual path become the mentors, the spiritual guides of those lost.
There is a joy in this journey of life that comes from encounters with new experiences. These experiences can always broaden our horizons, presenting new visions. For me these inner horizons are a vision of hope and have been part of my journey towards transformation. Each day is an unknown journey and an absolutely free gift. Set no expectations about tomorrow’s journey and do not deprive yourself of these gifts.
“May we each find our vision and pursue it, becoming mentors who will help the lost find their vision.”
“If you try to view yourself through the lenses that others offer you, all you will see are distortions; your own light and beauty will become blurred, awkward, and ugly. Your sense of inner beauty has to remain a very private thing.”
