My online journal where I share my interests in photography, nature, journaling, fountain pens, bicycling, coffee life, spirituality and asking deep questions.
Take time to see the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
John O’Donohue
Clear skies and sunshine this morning in Colorado. Listening to the meadowlarks send their songs across the open meadow, urging us to seek the quiet miracles all around us.
Behind the facade of image and distraction, each person is an artist in this primal and inescapable sense. Each one of us is doomed and privileged to be an inner artist who carries and shapes a unique world.
John O’Donohue
Baristas are artists. As artists they are a part of the creation of our day because when we walk into a coffee shop, they greet us by name and then provide the drink we want. I consider them an artist because they can make a latte, while carrying on an intelligent conversation with us at the same time. They are artists because of their craft and skill in creating latte art from the crema of steamed milk: the heart or the rosetta with many leafs. I’ve even found myself not wanting to drink my latte and mess up their creation. And as we get to know each other, we get to see that inner beauty in each one of them, the person they are becoming and gift they are to the world. Go ahead, try and tell me that Keera’s smile is not a work of art.
In our mediocrity and distraction, we forget that we are privileged to live in a wondrous universe. Each day, the dawn unveils the mystery of this universe. Dawn is the ultimate surprise; it awakens us to the immense “thereness” of nature. The wonderful subtle color of the universe arises to clothe everything.
John O’Donohue
A beginning is ultimately an invitation to open towards the gifts and growth that are stored for us. To refuse to begin can be an act of great self-neglect.
John O’Donohue
After quiet time at home I started a crock pot of vegetable soup. Then enjoyed an early morning mocha made by Hannah. Was able to get in some reading and journaling before meeting Mark for breakfast. Hannah and I both agreed she did a good job with her latte art and improving each day. Believe they call it practice. Christmas was good this year. Spent time with family and friends and those who are both. Not sure how you faired but I over indulged in food consumption, enjoyed myself while consuming though but paid the price. So, I was miserable later in the evening, both Christmas eve and day.
John O’Donohue’s quote says a lot in those two short sentences. We are quickly closing in on the end of the year which means a beginning of a new year. What will it hold? Reflecting on this past year I am grateful to have had both gifts and growth. I’m now wondering what gifts and growth will we encounter this year? Maybe lots of both.
This is a five image handheld panorama of Dixon Reservoir this morning about 10:30 am. The high winds over the past 48 hours have moved all the smog and crud sitting along the Front Range out to Kansas and beyond. And it still blows. Sure makes things look bright and clear. Going for a walk!!
One of the things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is the signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.
Annie Dillard, The Writing Life
As I was journaling at Mugs yesterday morning i noticed the lighting was perfect for a photo that symbolizes my journaling. So I asked one my barista, to take this image. Jess volunteered and this what she gave me. I like it.
I’ve journaled for years and feel that the past five years have been the most productive. I don’t mean that in quantity but in the quality of my writing. Every time I put pen to paper I find unexpected words. I’ve uncovered truths and lies I’ve told myself for years. My journals have help me dig deeper into my soul helpsing me to know myself more while hopefully being a better human being. I am learning to put into words how I see the gift of this natural world I live in. I also am learning to put into words the gift of this inner landscape of myself.
Finishing up laundry then some reading, walking and photography. It is overcast but warm.
When your life awakens and you begin to sense the destiny that brought you here, you endeavour to live a life that is generous and worthy of the blessing and invitation that is always calling you.
John O’Donohue
This image was taken last week at the Lory Student Center. I go there because it is quiet and I find it is a place for solitude, before students arrive. It is windy this morning, bad hair day for sure. Now it bugs coffee shop on the world. Emma is my barista. She is playing some soft easy Christmas music because she is in the Christmas spirit. I found out that two friends died in their sleep this past Friday night. One younger, one older. They both endeavored to live a generous and worthy life. Today will be a day of processing. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
Meister Eckhart said that nothing in the universe resembles God so much as silence, so if you think about silence in that sense, then to come into silence is to come into the presence of the Divine.
John O’Donohue
I head back to Colorado tomorrow and have enjoyed my time with family. We have had overcast skies and a couple of light rains while down here. Right now I am sitting on their huge patio and enjoying one another’s presence, while quail and cactus wrens offer their songs. Will finished the day with ice cream from Handel’s.
While each place has its own beauty, no particular place can claim to settle the wanderer’s soul.
John O’Donohue, Eternal Echoes
If you ever want to observe a wandering soul look no farther than the world of insects. Most wander in pursuit of food, to mate and to avoid predators. I have found the only way to photograph dragonflies and damselflies is to set up my camera and tripod then wait. With enough patience those wandering souls will pass through your viewfinder. Hoping you are enjoying your Saturday.