Oh, Karen ... such forthright and honest sharing. Thank you for entrusting us, your readers, with some of the details of your struggle(s). There are lots of good wishes for you here in the comments, but let me add mine: May the beauty and wisdom you share with all of us here come back to you tenfold, and may the magic of secret sunrises nourish you in the ways you need at this time. Many blessings!
For some reason I was seeing the image of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man (the nude man, with his arms and legs stretched, inside a square within a circle) when reading your post.
Every bit of peace we find and create can be expanded and shared. Thank you for an inspiring essay and your persistence in keeping going.
Beautiful share, thank you. As I reflect on the last year or so, I have really felt the need to be more simplified in everything in my life. My work, my relationships, my wardrobe, cooking, everything. I allow others to be in service to me more often (like instacart for my groceries)) and my husband is now cooking more. What I found is grace, ease and more time to enjoy the things I love without feeling guilty. There’s a smoothness in my life because I gave up all battles (still mindful of when I am battling) whether it be with myself or other aspects of my life. It seems when I listen to my inner guidance, change doesn’t feel so time consuming to me, it opens up beyond time. Love your photos and Happy New Year!
I love all of your pictures, but I think the ones of cedar waxwings are my favorites. You really capture their soft sleekness. Thank you for sharing. ♥️
one and two year olds stumble a lot and it makes them more resilient, trusting in their bodies, and that they can just keep getting up again over and over. xo you got this!
I like your points about that feather. Also, just imagine the places that feather has been! Truly amazing.
Ring-billed Gulls are one of my favourites to watch fly. Their aerial maneuverability is astounding. Be well and thanks for sharing - excellent post and photos.
Thank you sweet Switter! That is one of my top 5 favorite poems. Thank you for this reciting. I think I just read that in one of your posts and I thought it was quite brilliant.
The first time I heard Ithaca, I was stunned by the beauty of the words and images. If ever there was a poem that condensed the Odyssey into a few lines, it’s Ithaca, and the Odyssey has endured all these centuries because in a way, it’s the story of all our lives.
The Peace of Wild Things found me during an intensely difficult time in my life when I was fighting a skin infection I contracted in South Sudan. (South Sudan and Uganda are a hot zone for viruses such as Ebola.) I experienced recurring boils, very painful but I toughed it out, until one erupted on my face. My wife told some guys at our church who showed up and told me I had a choice of going the easy way or the heard way! Tough love.
So I chose the easy way and they drove me to Johns-Hopkins in nearby Baltimore and was admitted. The docs ordered a bunch of tests, including one to screen for HIV because of my years in Africa during that pandemic. Because I had a lot of experience with HIV during the early spread of it in Africa and because there were times when I had no choice but to help road accident victims, the HIV screening left me feeling anxious.
I didn’t hear anything about the test results for a few days, but my little daughter wrote out The Peace of Wild Things with crayons and brought it to me that evening during visiting hours. (She actually brought me two crayon drawings. The other was a lovely quote from Thoreau.) It brought me such deep comfort that I slept well that night for the first time since I was admitted.
The next morning, I finally asked the nurse for the test results, which she said was negative, but I beat myself up a little for not asking a couple of days before. As it turned out, the infections were caused by a common skin bacteria that took hold because I was working way too hard and getting very little sleep. I took their advice to slow down and found the world did not end. I did learn a couple of valuable lessons, though. Candles are not meant to be burned from both ends, and a lot of worry can be avoided by asking a few simple questions. Also, comfort can come from the most expected sources.
I am someone who takes comfort in the routines of things. I like order in my life, and I get easily overwhelmed by changes--especially sudden ones. I'm pulling for you, Karen, as you maneuver through the changes you must travel through! Xoxox
This was such a beautiful piece of writing and generous reflection--thank you for sharing. When I see a gull/seagull on my walks, I will look upon them with new eyes, and appreciation. I have often thought of them as hearty and fearless, and now, with your words in mind about them, I shall see them as a reminder of resilience, of strength, of endurance. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, especially of those secret sunsets. May the change you seek/create bring you ease and peace and balance. 🌅🌞🪽✨
"Change is Time Consuming" Yes! Wow, you have a lot going on, but a wonderful attitude about it. Your images are full of symbolism today, folding themselves gracefully alongside your new path as it's being revealed to you, so lovely :)
Ha ha, well, my attitude is mostly good now, but the first weekend, boy, whew, there was a lot of complaining. I still get crabby but the "why" is strong so that helps. I'm starting to see that I am more resilient than I thought.
Good luck with your new endeavors…. I know you will be pleased when you get into a new routine with them added❤️😍👍👏
Thank you Sharon!
Beautiful work, thanks for sharing! The photo of the feather on the water is wonderful.
Thank you Thomas!
I swear, some of your photos are breathtaking.
Thank you Janisse!
Oh, Karen ... such forthright and honest sharing. Thank you for entrusting us, your readers, with some of the details of your struggle(s). There are lots of good wishes for you here in the comments, but let me add mine: May the beauty and wisdom you share with all of us here come back to you tenfold, and may the magic of secret sunrises nourish you in the ways you need at this time. Many blessings!
Thank you Jeanne! That's such a beautiful wish.
For some reason I was seeing the image of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man (the nude man, with his arms and legs stretched, inside a square within a circle) when reading your post.
Every bit of peace we find and create can be expanded and shared. Thank you for an inspiring essay and your persistence in keeping going.
That's such an interesting image! Thank you Sharon.
Beautiful share, thank you. As I reflect on the last year or so, I have really felt the need to be more simplified in everything in my life. My work, my relationships, my wardrobe, cooking, everything. I allow others to be in service to me more often (like instacart for my groceries)) and my husband is now cooking more. What I found is grace, ease and more time to enjoy the things I love without feeling guilty. There’s a smoothness in my life because I gave up all battles (still mindful of when I am battling) whether it be with myself or other aspects of my life. It seems when I listen to my inner guidance, change doesn’t feel so time consuming to me, it opens up beyond time. Love your photos and Happy New Year!
I need a husband who cooks! :) That's lovely. Thanks for sharing this.
I love all of your pictures, but I think the ones of cedar waxwings are my favorites. You really capture their soft sleekness. Thank you for sharing. ♥️
Thank you Susan
Ooo, I love the idea of secret sunrises! That’s my favorite photo of all the gorgeous ones today. Best wishes with all the cooking.
Thank you Priscilla!
one and two year olds stumble a lot and it makes them more resilient, trusting in their bodies, and that they can just keep getting up again over and over. xo you got this!
Thank you Susi!
Fine writing Karen. Wishing you well on the year ahead- grace and good health
Thank you Janet!
I like your points about that feather. Also, just imagine the places that feather has been! Truly amazing.
Ring-billed Gulls are one of my favourites to watch fly. Their aerial maneuverability is astounding. Be well and thanks for sharing - excellent post and photos.
Thank you Neil!
It sounds like my friend Karen could use another dose of this good medicine today :
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
- Wendell Berry
You are 9/10s of the way there, Karen. Here’s something for the last 1/10th:
https://youtu.be/1n3n2Ox4Yfk?si=HKaA1lZXX7ZSuAcu
Ithaka
BY C. P. CAVAFY
TRANSLATED BY EDMUND KEELEY
As you set out for Ithaka
hope your road is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them:
you’ll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare excitement
stirs your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
wild Poseidon—you won’t encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.
Hope your road is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you enter harbors you’re seeing for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind—
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to learn and go on learning from their scholars.
Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you’re destined for.
But don’t hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you’re old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn't have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.
Thank you sweet Switter! That is one of my top 5 favorite poems. Thank you for this reciting. I think I just read that in one of your posts and I thought it was quite brilliant.
The first time I heard Ithaca, I was stunned by the beauty of the words and images. If ever there was a poem that condensed the Odyssey into a few lines, it’s Ithaca, and the Odyssey has endured all these centuries because in a way, it’s the story of all our lives.
The Peace of Wild Things found me during an intensely difficult time in my life when I was fighting a skin infection I contracted in South Sudan. (South Sudan and Uganda are a hot zone for viruses such as Ebola.) I experienced recurring boils, very painful but I toughed it out, until one erupted on my face. My wife told some guys at our church who showed up and told me I had a choice of going the easy way or the heard way! Tough love.
So I chose the easy way and they drove me to Johns-Hopkins in nearby Baltimore and was admitted. The docs ordered a bunch of tests, including one to screen for HIV because of my years in Africa during that pandemic. Because I had a lot of experience with HIV during the early spread of it in Africa and because there were times when I had no choice but to help road accident victims, the HIV screening left me feeling anxious.
I didn’t hear anything about the test results for a few days, but my little daughter wrote out The Peace of Wild Things with crayons and brought it to me that evening during visiting hours. (She actually brought me two crayon drawings. The other was a lovely quote from Thoreau.) It brought me such deep comfort that I slept well that night for the first time since I was admitted.
The next morning, I finally asked the nurse for the test results, which she said was negative, but I beat myself up a little for not asking a couple of days before. As it turned out, the infections were caused by a common skin bacteria that took hold because I was working way too hard and getting very little sleep. I took their advice to slow down and found the world did not end. I did learn a couple of valuable lessons, though. Candles are not meant to be burned from both ends, and a lot of worry can be avoided by asking a few simple questions. Also, comfort can come from the most expected sources.
wow wow wow. And yes, comfort can come from the most unexpected sources.
I am someone who takes comfort in the routines of things. I like order in my life, and I get easily overwhelmed by changes--especially sudden ones. I'm pulling for you, Karen, as you maneuver through the changes you must travel through! Xoxox
Thank you Roxy! Oof, my routines were comfortable but I'm honestly lucky to have the chance to change them now.
This was beautiful! I really needed to hear it today. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Dawn.
This was such a beautiful piece of writing and generous reflection--thank you for sharing. When I see a gull/seagull on my walks, I will look upon them with new eyes, and appreciation. I have often thought of them as hearty and fearless, and now, with your words in mind about them, I shall see them as a reminder of resilience, of strength, of endurance. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, especially of those secret sunsets. May the change you seek/create bring you ease and peace and balance. 🌅🌞🪽✨
Thanks Veronica! I'm looking at them with different eyes too.
secret *sunrises* 🤓
"Change is Time Consuming" Yes! Wow, you have a lot going on, but a wonderful attitude about it. Your images are full of symbolism today, folding themselves gracefully alongside your new path as it's being revealed to you, so lovely :)
Ha ha, well, my attitude is mostly good now, but the first weekend, boy, whew, there was a lot of complaining. I still get crabby but the "why" is strong so that helps. I'm starting to see that I am more resilient than I thought.
Hang in there!
Thank you