An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
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.
What fills the heart with happiness, ironically enough, is not what we get out of the world; it’s what we put into it. Being about something worthwhile, spending our lives on something worth spending a life on is what, in the end, makes us happy.
Joan Chittister
My barista this morning was Stephen. I hadn’t seen him for a while and discovered he’d taken some time off while his father was out here visiting. It sounds like their time together made them happy. 😊
I consider myself a happy person. My greeting by Stephen this morning enriched my happiness. Having said that it seems to take more to upset me than in the past. However, I must admit that drivers can test my peace, serenity and happiness. At this stage in my life happiness does not come so much from what I do as when I was pursuing a career, gathering the things the world told me I needed and so on. For me happiness comes from the lifestyle I attempt to live, a spiritual lifestyle which includes starting my day with prayer and meditation. I call this quiet time, center myself for the day. Happiness comes from how I treat and respect all of life that shares this world with me. Happiness comes from what creative acts I offer as a gift, such as photography or my blogging. Happiness comes from listening and being present to a friend or stranger. Happiness comes from times in nature, watching the sunrise or sunset or the changing colors of the fall season. Happiness comes from building relationships with my family, friends, strangers and the natural world around me. I could go on but instead I invite you to share with us some things that bring happiness in your life and the life of those around you. I told you there would be more leaves! 😂
“… spirituality is not a thing or a feeling. Spirituality is paying attention. Spirituality is being present to what is happening around and within you. Spirituality is living in the world with compassion and justice. Spirituality is making the world a little better for your having been born into it. Spirituality is meeting God in the ordinariness of our everyday lives.”
Reb Yerachmiel
Third morning in a row where I needed to scrape light frost off my windshield. Yep, fall is here. Made my way to Mugs for a mocha latte and was greeted with a big smile from my barista, Jess. Morning was a success. Had my monthly lunch with high school classmates today. Another success.
Seems to me spirituality isn’t anything I can define or physically touch but something I experience. I just read where Spirituality is a lifestyle. I sorta like that. It has no connection to any religious faith and doesn’t define it. Spirituality just is, something we live. The quote above is more about sharing the experience. I find it is much like the coffee life. Life needs to be experienced not defined.
I was reading an older blog post on someone’s perspective to beginning a blog, offering our views, where that might lead and the stories written and read in these blogs. I found it interesting, quite profound and wanted to share it with you. You can find it here.
“He who thinks he knows, doesn’t know. He who knows that he doesn’t know, knows. For in this context, to know is not to know. And not to know is to know.”
Joseph Campbell
Happy Halloween!
“Some people prefer solitude. They say their peace of mind depends on this. Others say they would be better off in church. If you do well, you do well wherever you are. If you fail, you fail wherever you are. Your surroundings don’t matter. God is with you everywhere — in the marketplace as well as in seclusion or in the church. If you look for nothing but God, nothing or no one can disturb you. God is not distracted by a multitude of things.
Meister Eckhart
Nor can we be.”
I have lived alone for many years. During that time I have owned my own place and at times invited others in when necessary for short periods of time. That changes this week as I will be staying with friends in their spare bedroom while mold mitigation is done to my condo. So my surroundings are different. My lifestyle will be different. My solitude will be different. To top it off my car is in the shop for a couple days so I’m not as mobile. We will see if I do well in my new situation and temporary surroundings. 😁
I saw this row of bicycle tires while waiting for the bus at the CSU Transit Center this past week. I found it interesting so I knelt down and took a couple of images. They were commuter bikes the students can easily afford because they are stripped down with one gear and one brake in the rear. They were white bicycles and white rims. Gotta get the shot.
I now find that getting back up after squatting is more of a struggle than 10 years ago. It take me longer to get back up and I’m noticing a strange sound emanating from the left knee. Right now I’m just ignoring it. I’m suspecting it to be due to aging, getting older, passing of time or gas or I’ve done it way too many times.
“Rushing, rushing, rushing. We are always rushing.”
There is no better place to watch people rushing than on campus between classes. This is one of the quieter moments at the entrance to Lory Student Center. I had gone to meet with a friend.