An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
bright light of sun
ms
spread across the open field
cloudless blue sky
warm rays of sun
spread across the open field
insects everywhere
Rant Warning: Seems 95% of the drivers in Fort Collins, and maybe the whole state, drive over the speed limit. The other 5% are behind me and they’re pissed. 😁
“Too often in the past our approach to truth has been to assume that we have it and others do not. Consequently, we have thought that our role is to tell people what to believe. We are being invited instead into a new humility, to serve the holy wisdom that is already stirring in the hearts of people everywhere, the growing awareness of earth’s interrelatedness and sacredness.”
John Philip Newell
I went to a local coffee shop to sit outside and journal but that did not happen. There was a group of men gathered around a couple tables talking loudly, wearing shirts that told you their political opinions, one of them packing a gun. We are faced daily with people telling us what to believe, their truth, from all different perspectives. It was not a comfortable place, so I left. I went where I could listen to the birds sing. They make more sense to me and I love their music.
What would our world be like if people spent time in nature? Would there be an experience of the awareness of our interrelatedness and sacredness that Newell talks about? How would that change us? Maybe we’d realize we need to be students rather than know-it-alls. Or worse yet, think we need to change the world but not ourselves.
I’ve reflected and journaled for over a year whether I want to say “in my opinion” or “I believe” and what the difference is.
I’ve not always wanted to share my words on some issues because differences in opinion rise to the surface that have the potential to bring up conflict, and I hate conflict. Yet, it seems there is a desire within all of us to express ourselves, to be heard, voice our opinion or belief. I’m questioning if my opinion is really more about my egoic thinking, sharing my knowledge or what I’ve been taught. Is my opinion really my belief?
When two people have a difference of opinion, mutual true sharing can get lost in defending our opinions or refuting theirs. In my own life I would like to get to a place where I say what I believe from that deep place within, my heart or gut, rather than what I just think! Saying “In my opinion” can be an aggressive phrase while saying “I believe” is not. Doesn’t the poet, writer, lyricist share from a deep place within rather than from what they think. So, just for the heck of it, what is your opinion or what do you believe? 🤔 Happy Labor Day!
The other morning I did not read or journal as I normally do when I arrived at the natural area. Instead I sat on the bench with my chai and camera, just watching and listening. In the predawn darkness I could hear an owl hoot but never saw them. I felt the colors slowly change from the cool predawn blue to the warm golden sunrise. The absence of any wind to move leaves, the thistle or the grass presented a calm. All was still. There was a embracing quiet around me and within me. Every so often I would listen to my muse and lift the camera, compose and press the shutter button. Another good start to the day.
I enjoy experiencing sunrises, in case you haven’t noticed. I photograph a lot of them, in case you haven’t noticed. After I saw this image on my computer I asked myself the question, “What can I do to be a part of creating sunrise images that have my signature to them, that are not just repeats of yesterday or someone else or do I already have my own signature?” I want to experiment in more creative ways with images that really say something to me and about me. Which means you’ll probably see more sunrise images. 😁
This is an open lot about two blocks from my condo. I am standing along Shields Street and looking east. I’ve taken a few images of sunrises from this location. However, that will change over the next couple years as they sent notice that they will be building an apartment complex and small convenience store in this field. There are people who call it growth, development, progress, because it is about money to them. I want to call it destruction. Saddens me to see areas like this within the city changed from a natural world to concrete and wood structures surrounded by asphalt!
I regularly use the bathroom located near the Legacy Lounge at Lory Student Center. It seems that as I enter the toilet stall, the toilet flushes. When I sit down, the toilet flushes. When I’ve finished my business and stand up, the toilet flushes. As I open the door to walk out, the toilet flushes. So, I’m for putting the handles back on toilets and urinals and asking people be responsible for their shit.
Tom will recognize this spot as we visited it while he and Kathy were in Colorado. As I’ve mentioned before I head east of town when the city noise begins to cloud my thinking. It seems that’s happening much more often, too. I took this yesterday afternoon.
I was disappointed. I stopped at two separate locations where I enjoy taking in the view and the silence. At my first stop someone had dumped a full size couch with two tires on it. They left it half on the road and half in the ditch. No respect! At the second location, where this image was taken, the owners have blocked the turnoff with a half dozen tires. Scattered around were empty booze bottles and trash. I can see why they want to block the turnout. Instead of coming out here to this place in nature and bringing back the peace and serenity it offers, they bring the chaos and disorder of the city and trash it. I can’t even come up with words to describe my disdain for this. My anger is not directed towards the people who trashed both locations but is directed towards our throw away culture. I’m going to need to work through this today. Enjoy the long weekend!