My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Silence is somehow at the very foundation of all reality.
Richard Rohr
I was restless yesterday afternoon so I grabbed my camera gear and headed to Prospect Ponds. The wind has been blowing all day so I bundled up, but knowing I would not stay long. I’m too old to endure too much cold. I was pleased to find plenty of silence and very few people (smarter than me?). I met up with a couple of the park rangers and asked if they could shut off the wind. They laughed and told me they already did but it was going to take a few minutes for it to take effect. Wasn’t what I wanted to hear but I admired their quick response and humor. As I took this image of the ice patterns on the pond I realized how cold I was getting. It was time to go. Enjoy your Sunday and stay warm!!
Journaling with a chai latte, while watching it snow outside
Wisdom is precisely a different way of seeing and knowing the ten thousand things in a new way. I suggest that wisdom is precisely the freedom to be truly present to what is right in front of you. Presence is wisdom! Those who can be present will know what they need to know, and in a wisdom way.
Richard Rohr
It began snowing in earnest about 9:30 am, offering us big, beautiful moisture filled snowflakes. I met Jeff earlier for tea and conversation, then stopped by the Arboretum Coffee shop to journal for a while. The small chai latte was a perfect pairing with my journaling. This coffee shop is a nonprofit that is striving to “create a community where refugees and immigrants can rebuild their lives with dignity, gain essential skills, and form meaningful connections.” I come here because I want to support that ideal. So far my interaction with all these baristas has not given me a feeling of working with a criminal, the drug cartel or that I’m in any danger. The only problem I’ve had is our language differences but that is improving! What’s cool about that is we don’t throw up our hands but keep at it until I get skim milk rather than whole. I’m finding my name is strange to them and love how they sometimes say it. If I remain open and willing to encounter wisdom, then these baristas have much to teach me, to enhance my life, and a chance to be present to each other. Seems there is more danger around the white privileged who think they think they know. I much prefer Rohr’s notion that wisdom is precisely a different way of seeing and knowing the ten thousand things in a new way. I want to be a seeker of wisdom.
A simple lifestyle is quite simply an act of solidarity with the way most people have lived since the beginnings of humanity.
Richard Rohr
It takes a lot of gumption this time of year to photograph sunrise scenes. because that sun comes up too early. So, I again missed this morning’s sunrise. I realize the powers that be who decided daylight savings was a good idea were not photographers. Anyway here is a sunrise from May of 2020 at Arapaho Bend Natural Area.
The spiritual journey is a constant interplay between moments of awe followed by a process of surrender to that moment.
Richard Rohr
While reading and journaling at Rolland Moore Park I noticed the wind rustling through the cottonwood trees above me. It caused me to look up and have one of those moments of awe. And, I just happened to have my camera with me.
“In my experience, if you are not radically grateful every day, resentment always takes over.”
Richard Rohr
As the sun rose above the clouds on the eastern horizon and the world around me became more visible, I could see how abundantly filled the air was with flying insects because they were backlit in the light. No wonder the birds were so happily singing. I was again in awe and wonder at the mystery before me! I have a grateful heart!
“People who’ve had any genuine spiritual experience always know that they don’t know. They are utterly humbled before mystery. They are in awe before the abyss of it all, in wonder at eternity and depth, and a Love, which is incomprehensible to the mind.”
Richard Rohr
Yesterday I wanted a mid-afternoon sandwich then enjoyed it at one of the natural areas, away from the busyness of the city. I was greeted by silence, silver lined clouds, warm sunshine and a cool breeze. It’s a mystery to me but I know it all made the sandwich taste better.
