An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
What is it about
mws
a cloudless sky that
holds my attention?
Maybe it’s the blue
that melts from dark
to baby blue.
Maybe it’s the mystery
surrounding me,
holding me present.
Maybe it’s the sacredness
of nature unfolding
its beauty before me.
In the end, the only thing that will matter will be how well we loved. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is to pay attention to the person we encounter, more so, to be attentive to the ones we love (and often take for granted). To be present in the moment, heart and soul, attentive to the sounds of life in the midst of anxiety, laughter, sorrow, and wonder…. The moral of the story is that grace is everywhere and love abounds, but it must be received and celebrated. This is the sacrament of everyday life.
Ilia Delio, The Hours of the Universe
Looks like snow and cold in the upper Great Lakes while rain in the southeast. Clear and sunny here but cold and windy. I do believe in her words that grace is everywhere and love abounds. However, far too many aren’t aware of it or don’t believe in it or don’t live life as if it is. I wonder could it be that each of us must fan that flame to live it. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, enjoying the sacrament of everyday life we each have, no matter the weather!
If there is meaning in the past and in the imagined future, it is captured in the moment. When you have all the time in the world, you can spend it, not on going somewhere, but on being where you are. So I stretch out, close my eyes, and listen to the rain.
Robin Wall Kimmerer
morning visitor
ms
give one another distance
keeping eye contact
A cloudy and cold morning at Pineridge Natural Area. No wind, no bird songs, all was quiet. I was the only one there this morning. Seemed everyone else stayed in bed or had a second cup of coffee. There were several cottontails checking me out: Are you friend or foe? They have that alertness, always present to where they and you are. Where we seem to wander in thought, seldom staying present. I stayed more present this morning as I let them teach me.
in stillness and silence
ms
colors begin to appear
predawn mystery
I sit in the upper parking lot at Pineridge Natural Area for this morning’s sunrise. Below me the city slowly stirs awake. Here, in this natural area, nature has already begun stirring as chattering magpies sit atop cottonwood tree branches. The geese and ducks make small waves across the reservoir. The wind is still. In the cold I listen to the silence and experience a calming that I will carry into my day. This is becoming an integral part of my morning prayer and meditation. A few years ago I couldn’t imagine spending mornings like this. Now, living in the present is how I choose to begin my day. For each new dawn offers the mystery of this day’s events that only we can live and experience in the present moment.
There was no sun cresting the eastern horizon this morning due to clouds. However, it was an amazing 43 degrees with a steady breeze from the north. In the above image you can see the wind reshaping the clouds continuously. Stopped and grabbed a mocha on the way home and did something unusual for me. I walked in, greeted the baristas and then ordered without realizing I did not have my mask on. I ran back out to the car and put it on. It’s moments like that when I know I’m not doing a very good job of staying present to life but somewhere else in my head. I’m going to enjoy my Saturday and hope you do as well.
“When your eyes are tired the world is tired also. When your vision has gone no part of the world can find you. Time to go into the dark where the night has eyes to recognize its own. There you can be sure you are not beyond love. The dark will be your womb tonight. The night will give you a horizon further than you can see. You must learn one thing. The world was made to be free in. Give up on all other worlds except the one to which you belong. Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet confinement of your aloneness to learn anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.”
David Whyte
I looked at my watch, it read 1:00 am. Looked again later, now 3:15 am. I really was not tired but knew my night was more of light sleep and little deep sleep. Weather forecast was for partly cloudy skies in the morning and snow this evening so I heard that voice inside whisper of the possibility that the eastern sunrise would have some red to it. I got up and dressed at 5:00 am. I felt the tiredness of my eyes from the lack of deep sleep. After quiet time I grabbed coffee and camera and drove to Pineridge Natural Area. I was not disappointed. Had the place to myself except for a couple of magpies and one of the park rangers. We all just watched this new day come alive and stayed present in this world we belong in. Probably need a nap later today. 😴