• flowers,  musings,  Plants,  quotes,  writing/reading

    A life-giving act

    July 2, 2023
    White Prickly Poppy

    Listening is always a life giving act.

    Joan Chittister

    I’ve learned that when positioning my next words in a conversation I am no longer listening. I’ve proven that too many times. I’ve also seen in the eyes of another when they are no longer listening. I have also experienced the gift of fully listening to another as well as knowing the gift of being listened to. Seems that those life giving conversations happen when both are experienced by both. My reflection and journaling on her quote have lead me to see other areas in my life where listening is important such as prayer, or when an author or poet expresses in words what I needed to hear, or a bird’s song of joy, or the whisper/howling of the wind, or the words written in the pages of my journal or the knowing voice deep within. I agree that every moment of listening is a life-giving act for both parties. Hope you enjoy your Sunday!

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  • leaves,  nature,  Plants,  quotes

    The Sacredness of Nature

    July 1, 2023

    The world is not a problem to be solved; it is a living being to which we belong. The world is part of our own self and we are a part of its suffering wholeness. Until we go to the root of our image of separateness, there can be no healing. And the deepest part of our separateness from creation lies in our forgetfulness of its sacred nature, which is also our own sacred nature.

    Joanna Macy

    Nature has many ways of calling to us as we move through life. It is not always audible such as a robin’s song. It can be a visual call as well. This branch of cottonwood leaves that were blown down during Thursday’s winds stopped me in my tracks. It was a visual calling. As we spend more time in nature, as we can gain the awareness that nature is sacred, as we realize we are not separate from nature, we come to know we are an essential part of nature. So, I pray we do not forget the sacredness of nature or of our own sacred nature!

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  • flowers,  Plants,  quotes

    … there I go again

    June 24, 2023
    Dahia from CSU Flower Trial Gardens

    “Don’t believe everything you think. When your mind starts to stack up its stories to prove to you that you have been wronged or you have been wrong, that nobody loves you or that everybody wants something from you, take a deep breath. Remind yourself that just because you think something doesn’t make it true.”

    Mirabai Starr, God of Love

    I’ve watched peoples feathers get ruffled when I say we can’t believe everything we think, nor believe what we think to be reality. Primarily because it’s difficult to change/let go of unhealthy thinking. We justify the heck out of our destructive thoughts with other unhealthy thinking. Let that soak in. Byron Katie suggests, “A thought is harmless unless we believe it. It’s not our thoughts, but our attachment to our thoughts, that causes suffering. Attaching to a thought means believing that it’s true, without inquiring. A belief is a thought that we’ve been attaching to, often for years.” I’m finding detaching from my thoughts to be freeing, a lifelong practice, and enriching my life. I often laugh at myself, seldom beating myself up. However, I do have wishful thoughts that more people practiced detaching from their thoughts starting with politicians, leaders of religious institutions, corporate executives, well, anyone centered on self, and ….. There I go again, believing I know what’s best for others, for the world!!! Happy Saturday!

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  • flowers,  haiku,  Plants,  writing/reading

    this book of nature…

    June 21, 2023

    rose-colored clusters
    exploding starlike flowers
    this book of nature

    ms

    Sometimes we need to look closely to see the beauty of the natural world otherwise we may miss the gift she offers. I fall prey to that more than I like. Yet, when we do stop and look closely at the Showy Milkweed and its cluster of tiny starlike flowers, we can notice the details and intricacies of her unending creativity. I love this Book of Nature.

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  • Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  landscape,  natural areas,  quotes,  reflections

    …to become new of soul

    June 17, 2023

    “We go to prayer to be transfigured ourselves, to come to see the world as God sees the world, to practice the presence of God, to put on a heart of justice, of love, and of compassion for others. We go to become new of soul.”

    Joan Chittister

    Awoke to heavy fog, so needless to say I was excited. I needed to meet friends for breakfast on the east side of town so I drove to Arapaho Bend Natural Area for fog images first. Surprisingly no fog as it all seemed to be along the foothills. Not to be dismayed I pulled over, setup my tripod and camera because there had to be an image offered. And, there was. It’s simple and there is a small amount of fog/mist sitting on the water’s surface on the far side where there is some shade. I would have loved to stay and pray in that sacred place but needed to meet my friends. I must say breakfast and conversation was great and is its own form of prayer! Hope you have a great Saturday!!

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  • John O'Donohue,  Plants,  quotes

    A Sacred Gift

    June 14, 2023

    May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.

    John O’Donohue

    Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University says we’ve received 4.06 inches of rain in the past 14 days and more rain expected tomorrow. Therefore mushrooms are everywhere. And, here’s my proof.

    We have had a beautiful day with blue skies and sunshine. As I sit on my porch and type this I watch and listen as the wind dance with the trees. Robins, blue jays and goldfinches sing. The fragrance of the locust and linden trees fills the air. I will post this and then drive to Riverbend Ponds for some bird photography or at least a nice walk. Grateful as this day has been a sacred gift.

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