• leaves,  quotes,  snow,  trees,  winter scenes

    Journey to Wholeness

    November 25, 2023

    Sacred wisdom is deep in our nature. The journey to wholeness is about awakening to this wisdom deep within and seeking it everywhere, in every culture and every religion.

    John Philip Newell

    The snow finally let up about 11:00 this morning. My guess is 6-8 inches of snow with a fine layer of ice beneath the powdery snow. Restless by noon I took the Number 2 bus to campus then walked over to Mugs. This snowfall has been beautiful, a winter wonderland that excited this photographer’s shutter finger. I like how snow can hide something or highlight it. I pretty much had the coffee shop to myself as many students are still on break and the snow kept many people home. Therefore my baristas, Emma and James, spoiled me. I had my Old Town Mocha and one of their November Specials, a bowl of butternut squash soup. It hit the spot.

    I really like Newell’s quote above. He touches on four things that have become important in my journey of life. They are sacred, wisdom, nature and awakening. I say that because I’m awakening to some knowing deep within me that every human being, creature, plant, all of creation is sacred. I am also wakening to the idea that maybe we are all made from the same speck of stardust of our creator. Anyway, here are a few images from this afternoon’s journey to wholeness and some damn good butternut squash soup on this rather frigid Saturday.

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  • natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes

    The Treasure of Wisdom

    November 24, 2023
    The empty bench at Pineridge Natural Area

    We need to open to the treasure of wisdom in traditions other than our own. Not only have they much to teach us, but they also hold the key to unlocking depths within our own religious inheritance that we know nothing of as yet.

    John Philip Newell

    I personally have enjoyed seeking the treasures within wisdom traditions through reading and studying them. Yet, one of the best treasures for me has been the reading and studying of this book of nature, which I never thought of as a wisdom tradition. I’ve found this book to be endless in the wisdom it shares with me when I open myself to it. It is also a very experiential book where wisdom is felt, smelled, heard and tasted. I have this desire to continue to read and study it.

    We did not get the amount of snow predicted but we sure got the cold temperatures. I made my way to Starry Night for a mocha and one of their lemon-cranberry scones this morning. Glad to say I had no guilty feelings about that scone at all. I then walked a bit at Pineridge Natural Area to experience the quiet. The light wind and humidity penetrated my clothing, letting me know it felt much colder than the 18 degrees. The roads are icy so I’m home for the day. Will be reading off and on today and if I can find the gumption I’ll clean the bathroom. If not, well…. I’ll start another book. Stay warm!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  quotes,  sunsets

    Humanity’s Wholeness

    November 20, 2023

    Humanity’s great wisdom traditions are given not to compete with each other but to complete each other. We need each other as much as the species of the earth need one another to be whole.

    John Philip Newell

    This past Thursday and Friday brought rain showers while in Phoenix. Along with the light rain we were given a couple of beautiful sunsets. This is looking east off the back patio of Marcee and John’s home last Friday evening. Our skies look different this morning in Colorado as we have overcast skies and wind gusting up to 30mph. Leaves tumbled and danced in front of me as I walked to coffee. Made me smile. It looks and feels like late fall. I have an MRI this afternoon at 5:00 pm as they continue testing. I like Newells quote and pray for humanity’s wholeness!

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  • fall season,  leaves,  quotes

    Masterwork of Wisdom

    November 13, 2023

    To know how to grow old is the masterwork
    of wisdom, and one of the most difficult
    chapters in the great art of living.

    Henri Frédéric Amiel

    I remember the moment distinctly. I had ordered a sandwich and then questioned the price as it seemed too low. The response was, “I gave you the senior discount.” Wait a minute! What just happened? It took a second to pull myself together then accept the discount but the words left their mark somewhere deep within me. I’ve had time to ponder those words and I realize I had just passed over some unseeable line and into a stage of life I knew nothing about. It was a strange land I was not ready or prepared for.

    Gratefully I’ve come to see things with older and more seasoned eyes and a spattering of wisdom. I am learning to accept living in this stage of life’s journey and it’s gifts of wonder, awe, surprises, moments of joy, and the strength and courage to face life’s difficulties. I’m also discovering the aches and pains of an aging body that comes with this new territory. I’m coming to know how to grow old rooted in the masterwork of wisdom. Even though it can be difficult at times I find the learning to be one of life’s greatest adventures. I’m enjoying this chapter of my life and the art of living it.

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  • leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    Wisdom

    October 4, 2023

    The governor resigned his exalted office and came to the Master demanding to be taught.
    ”What is it you wish me to teach you?” asked the Master
    ”Wisdom.” was the reply.
    ”Ah, my friend! How gladly would I do that were it not for one major obstacle.”
    ”What?”
    ”Wisdom cannot be taught.”
    ”So there’s nothing I can learn here.”
    ”Wisdom can be learned. But it cannot be taught.”

    Anthony de Mello
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  • coffee life,  coffee shops,  fountain pens,  journal,  quotes,  writing/reading

    Gathering Wisdom

    April 8, 2023

    The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.

    Isaac Asimov

    There are many who are wise and do not have degrees or a data bank full of information. My experience has taught me that the only source for wisdom is not to be found in a book, wikipedia, social media, the college campus, Dr. Google or listening to my ego. It’s rather easy to gain information, or misinformation, but gaining wisdom primarily requires the lessons learned from life experiences, plus knowledge. The failures, mistakes, pain, suffering, self-examination and a dose of humiliation have been my greatest teachers. I’ve heard it said the wise know they don’t know the answers. They do not tell us what they know, they will only share their experiences of life with us. Then for us to be wise we will need to listen to those who are wise and learn from them. Sure rings true for me. I’ve come to see how those who have a practice of prayer and meditation, spending time in solitude, silence, and nature, have learned to listen to the voice of their innermost self. Makes me wonder if that is the source of our deepest wisdom? Have a wonderful weekend!

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  • clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  sunrises

    This Simple Prayer

    December 31, 2022
    Sunrise over Dixon Reservoir at Pineridge Natural Area – June 2022

    I want to end this year of blogging with an image from this past year that depicts where I took my camera on a regular basis. My focus over the past year was spending time in the natural areas and coffee shops with my journals and camera. This connection with nature and people has been invaluable for me.

    This year’s end has brought me unexpected challenges for my physical and emotional healing that needs to be met in this coming year. Seems much of our world is in a similar crisis, facing challenges for its own healing. I believe we must fundamentally reconnect to a God of our understanding, to nature, to one another, and ourselves for any healing. Seems many in my circles, young and old, are awakening to this reality. I also hope many will awaken to the reality that we are created out of love to be love. So, I’m moving into the new year with a thin thread of hope that all will be well! Hope just may be the key in transforming our world. Each sunrise offers a new day, a new beginning, a promise of hope, and an opportunity of living a life of love. Maybe the world needs to begin more days witnessing the new sunrise and contemplating their connection to creation. 

    I’ll end with this simple prayer: May we live a life of serenity, courage, wisdom, strength, compassion, healing, love, the help of family and friends in facing the reality of life. I love you!

    I hope you have a wonderful coming year full of good health, family time and sunrises. Happy New Year!

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