Blog Archives
Meditation or Visualization
Lying among wild flowers in a high country meadow, my nose is enjoying their fragrant smells mixed with that of spruce and pine trees.
I inhale and exhale deeply for several breaths and then my breathing settles down to normal as I lay quietly, enjoying the smells, warm sun on my face, and bird sounds.
My consciousness is aware of the quiet calmness, absent any noise of everyday commerce such as traffic, horns, sirens, trucks, etc.
My head is turned sideways, and a slight but tiny movement catches the corner of my eye. My eyes focus and closer examination reveals a beautiful red-and-black dotted small rounded body moving along a narrow leaf towards the stem of a large wildflower. It is a little ladybug moving along with determination. As I focus closer, I see little white specks on the flower stem, and some of them are moving slowly. Now I could see and understand the destination of this little bug. She is going to dine on her favorite prey. I turned my head back and looked at the robin’s egg-blue sky for a few minutes. Then I closed my eyes.
All was well and in harmony. Everything in my world that should be balanced was indeed balanced. All the equal and opposites were equally blended. At this point in time, all was beautiful and perfect in my world: No fuss, no hurry, no cares, and of course, no worry.
Since everything is perfect and good in my world, there is nothing left to do except take a nice nap.
Happy and safe travels on your journey!
High Country Meadow
THOUGHTS OF SPRING
I sat upon a park bench, writing pad in hand,
Enjoying flowering shrubs and warmth upon the land
As cacophony of sound assaults both my ears:
Birds singing, dogs barking, and children’s laughter at play.
Then, not one but three lasses appeared
With bonnets and flower baskets at arm.
They wore floral-colored smocks,
Emitting Old World charm.
“I see you are a writer, sir,” one said
As her laughter broke the air.
At a loss for words, I simply smiled,
Caught up in her blue-eyed snare.
“Please do write us a sonnet,” said the second lass.
“Oh, no, a poem,” pleaded the third.
I smiled at all three,
Completely lost for word.
Their little faces in mock pout,
Their dresses so colorful and gay,
Added the finishing touch on the canvas
Of this beautiful, fine Spring Day.
I cleared my throat and spoke, “Oh, I suppose,
A line or two I’ll jot of spring-time prose.
With a smile and a thank you, they skipped away, arms interlocked.
As they moved away, I couldn’t help but notice: The flowers matched their frocks.
The sun was warm, and the wind was balmy.
White fluffy clouds adorned the sky.
I stretched and yawned like a Cheshire cat,
Releasing a contented sigh.
Mother Nature had once again blessed the land,
Calling forth different flowers in abundant array.
While I watched butterflies and birds flit about
On this gorgeous, balmy Spring Day.
Spring tulips
Spring has sprung!
Daddy and Momma Mallard with 10 new ducklings
Daddy and Momma Canadian Geese with 2 new goslings
Double Bearded Iris
Wouldn’t You Know It?
Beautiful roses, rough soil can endure…
The sweetest most often
Live and grow in debris and manure.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Yin and Yang
How far up before down,
Funny person but not a clown.
Where is half-way or middle?
When does a violin become a fiddle?
Energy forces flow in together, then separate,
Moving slowly, then accelerate.
Young then old, cold then hot,
Push or pull, is or is not.
Glass half empty or half full?
It’s a toy, or is it a tool?
Flamboyant and open, then indiscreet,
Hard then soft, sour then sweet.
Life, birth, death cycles careen,
Inward then outward, but not in between.
Swirling and blending as they enter,
Trying to blend, striving to center.
Life’s energy forces turn and blend,
Like tides going out or coming in.
Focusing and searching for tranquillity
So balance will descend.
Bells will ring if they’re rang.
You’ve conquered Lao Tzu’s Tao, which is Yin and Yang,
Turmoil fades like a dying wind.
Calmness now becomes your friend.
Namaste.*
*The highest and best in me salutes the highest and best in you.
Note: In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (also, yin-yang or yin yang) describes how apparently opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, which some call polarity.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Our warmest wishes for you is to have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
It is a day to watch parades on the television, probably overeat from a heavily laden table (if you are lucky), take a nap, enjoy the companionship of loved ones and friends, or perhaps even to just relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Whatever your day consists of, we hope that you take the time to list all of the blessings which fill your life. Some are obvious, and others are not. Some you think of frequently, while others pass you by without your noticing. Some do not get any of your attention at all until something negative impacts it. Sometimes, the negative takes it away for a long time, if not forever.
Thanksgiving has always been a day for doing exactly that: Change your focus from what you do not have and are striving for to what you already possess. It does not matter if it is a nickel when you need it, or lots of cash at the right time.
Just notice: Can you walk? Can you talk? Can you sing? Can you use your hands freely? Do you have your health? Are you working your way through a health challenge? Can you eat whatever you like? Can you see? Can you hear? What beauty surrounds you?
There are so many people who do not have those blessings for they are either unable to do them for whatever reason or their life situation prohibits/inhibits it.
Life is made up of a lot of simple things which pass us by like a ship in the night if one does not take time to focus on them. We miss many blessings just because we do not see them. Look at your surroundings to see the beauty, life, and laughter that are there – no matter how small or insignificant it may appear. Just know that what you bless increases.
Gather your loved ones and friends, be they near or far, into your heart and thoughts. Bless them one and all.
How about you? What do you choose to focus on today?
God’s blessings upon your journey!
Examples of Beauty:
Rocky Mtn Fall
Rocky Mtn Autumn Snows
Rocky Mtn Snow Storm
Bald Eagle
Deer
Vaughn Lake
Trappers Peak
wfosterwelborn 