Yep...mud and blank pages...been there too. It's the life I guess, especially this time of year. Thanks for the connection, Karen, and the lovely photos. You have a gift for sure.
...to your question; "What if the universe knows what it’s doing?"
On a shelf next to my desk lie two oak leaves. Collected during a recent late fall hike, one is a from a white oak. The other from a red oak. These two leaves remind me that their kind have been on earth for millions of years. While our kind have only been here for three hundred thousand years. We need their oxygen. They need carbon (dioxide), and water too, of course. And oxygen in the soil for their tree's roots.
Haven't we provided them with more carbon than they need? The earth's natural order can also cleanse water that we have violated. So, I suppose, oaks don't actually need us at all. Do they?
The earth is going to be ok. Different for a time. A long, long time. We can feel certain about that. And its natural order, impacted by our presence, may be altered for an era or more. Is it possible, really, for us to wrap our brains around earth's way of measuring time? Especially future time? What is accuracy to an evolving planet? To an expanding (or shrinking) galaxy? A universe?
The earth is going to be ok. Earth has a way of rejecting anything that doesn't fit-in with its natural order. If that's us, then so be it.
I believe the natural world holds the key to universal truth.
I always look forward to "Drops of Beauty" in my mailbox. Thank you Karen. Keep the faith. Honor the planet. Protect the spirit.
Thank you for the beauty you share in your words and photographs, and for your vulnerability in sharing what's difficult for you now. I relate to the difficulty in staying with and am given further faith, hope and trust through this reflection.
We all spend time mucking about in the mud, Karen. As adults, it doesn't feel comfortable, but then I remember being a child and all I wanted to do was splash in puddles and play in the mud. And I find that if I can be present to the muddy spaces, and not try to rush past them, there is beauty and opportunity there as well.
Just as your beautiful photos capture moments of life on the wing, perhaps if you turn your lens toward the muddiness and earthiness of life, you will find unexpected beauty there too.
Thank you for sharing your experience so honestly. We all have much to learn from each other.
In 2026, my word for the year is perseverance I will continue to keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how challenging the path becomes. And when the voice of doubt comes in ~ I will say “let go catherine let go. “Thank you for the owl pictures I love them ~
Thank you Catherine. I've been holding an image sometimes that makes me think of you, imagining my faith coming in and holding the fear because that faith is so much bigger. So I don't have to let go, I can just create space so it can be loved and let go when it's ready.
I have found myself often saying out loud to myself this past year ‘I don’t know, I just don’t know’. I loved this piece so much, thank you for sharing this story, your walk through this, oftentimes, confusing world/life. Blessings 💜🌀
I suggest finding something or someone to love. Get your mind off of yourself. It can be a person you offer rides to. Or, helping at an animal shelter. Or visiting with someone who can use a friend. Those of us who live alone, don't mean to be self-centered, but it can be the results of not having others around to share thoughts with. Bumping up against what goes on in other peoples daily lives can be an eyeopener. I recommend it highly for gaining a mind shift.
As usual you reflect with pictures and words what I am feeling. I have been working with presence for a long time and realizing vulnerability is about as scary as it gets and as magical as it gets. I have found a new word and option ...autophagy. The ability to clear on a cellular level opening up to regeneration. And I stumbled into it through a water fast mimicking process. So staying present with my uncomfortable self has opened the door to possible alchemy. The world is indeed a magical place. Im grateful for you and your gifts being part of my mirror. I wish you every magical possibility ✨️ available to you. Aho
Karen, thank you for sharing yourself with us: the beauty you capture with your camera lifts my heart every day. Your vulnerability is a large part of what allows you to see and share that beauty. You are a gift! 💝
Oh, Karen! I am glad you have owls to guide you and your dad and friends to be your close community. Your ability to be authentic and vulnerable in your writing is a gift to your readers. And you are grounded in nature, so that when you feel like you are being sucked into the most frightening feelings, you will always have a place to land that will hold and support you. I send love and gratitude for you, here, in this life.
Yep...mud and blank pages...been there too. It's the life I guess, especially this time of year. Thanks for the connection, Karen, and the lovely photos. You have a gift for sure.
Thank you so much Ken!
❤️😍👍
Thank you Aunt Sharon!
I'm staying with you!
I'm so glad Jill!
Lovely post, thank you for all the reminders of what's important.
Thank you Nancy!
...to your question; "What if the universe knows what it’s doing?"
On a shelf next to my desk lie two oak leaves. Collected during a recent late fall hike, one is a from a white oak. The other from a red oak. These two leaves remind me that their kind have been on earth for millions of years. While our kind have only been here for three hundred thousand years. We need their oxygen. They need carbon (dioxide), and water too, of course. And oxygen in the soil for their tree's roots.
Haven't we provided them with more carbon than they need? The earth's natural order can also cleanse water that we have violated. So, I suppose, oaks don't actually need us at all. Do they?
The earth is going to be ok. Different for a time. A long, long time. We can feel certain about that. And its natural order, impacted by our presence, may be altered for an era or more. Is it possible, really, for us to wrap our brains around earth's way of measuring time? Especially future time? What is accuracy to an evolving planet? To an expanding (or shrinking) galaxy? A universe?
The earth is going to be ok. Earth has a way of rejecting anything that doesn't fit-in with its natural order. If that's us, then so be it.
I believe the natural world holds the key to universal truth.
I always look forward to "Drops of Beauty" in my mailbox. Thank you Karen. Keep the faith. Honor the planet. Protect the spirit.
The light in me honors the light in you. Namaste.
Thank you Mark and 100% to all of this. Namaste.
Thank you for the beauty you share in your words and photographs, and for your vulnerability in sharing what's difficult for you now. I relate to the difficulty in staying with and am given further faith, hope and trust through this reflection.
Thank you Monica!
We all spend time mucking about in the mud, Karen. As adults, it doesn't feel comfortable, but then I remember being a child and all I wanted to do was splash in puddles and play in the mud. And I find that if I can be present to the muddy spaces, and not try to rush past them, there is beauty and opportunity there as well.
Just as your beautiful photos capture moments of life on the wing, perhaps if you turn your lens toward the muddiness and earthiness of life, you will find unexpected beauty there too.
Thank you for sharing your experience so honestly. We all have much to learn from each other.
I mean, right? When we are kids mud puddles are FUN! Thank you Julie! We do all have so much to learn from each other.
In 2026, my word for the year is perseverance I will continue to keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter how challenging the path becomes. And when the voice of doubt comes in ~ I will say “let go catherine let go. “Thank you for the owl pictures I love them ~
Thank you Catherine. I've been holding an image sometimes that makes me think of you, imagining my faith coming in and holding the fear because that faith is so much bigger. So I don't have to let go, I can just create space so it can be loved and let go when it's ready.
Oh Karen yes makes so much sense. Thank you I will definitely do this 💕
Happy New Year. Your inner wise woman is very wise 🙂
I have to remember to keep nurturing myself.
Lots of love 💞
Thank you Cali! Nurturing is such a great word because it's so flexible too.
I have found myself often saying out loud to myself this past year ‘I don’t know, I just don’t know’. I loved this piece so much, thank you for sharing this story, your walk through this, oftentimes, confusing world/life. Blessings 💜🌀
Jo, I love the phrase, "but if you did know...". It helps me sometimes! Thank you!
I suggest finding something or someone to love. Get your mind off of yourself. It can be a person you offer rides to. Or, helping at an animal shelter. Or visiting with someone who can use a friend. Those of us who live alone, don't mean to be self-centered, but it can be the results of not having others around to share thoughts with. Bumping up against what goes on in other peoples daily lives can be an eyeopener. I recommend it highly for gaining a mind shift.
Yeah, I understand the balance. I do have a full time day job where I'm basically caring for the whole company!
Wow, you sure did end up embracing vulnerability in this one! Beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you Jim!
As usual you reflect with pictures and words what I am feeling. I have been working with presence for a long time and realizing vulnerability is about as scary as it gets and as magical as it gets. I have found a new word and option ...autophagy. The ability to clear on a cellular level opening up to regeneration. And I stumbled into it through a water fast mimicking process. So staying present with my uncomfortable self has opened the door to possible alchemy. The world is indeed a magical place. Im grateful for you and your gifts being part of my mirror. I wish you every magical possibility ✨️ available to you. Aho
That's a new word for me too, autophagy. Thank you Bobbie!
You wrote just what I was trying to sort out for myself. I love the Owl! Thank you for giving so much to all of us!
Thank you Linda!
Karen, thank you for sharing yourself with us: the beauty you capture with your camera lifts my heart every day. Your vulnerability is a large part of what allows you to see and share that beauty. You are a gift! 💝
Thank you Claudia!
Oh, Karen! I am glad you have owls to guide you and your dad and friends to be your close community. Your ability to be authentic and vulnerable in your writing is a gift to your readers. And you are grounded in nature, so that when you feel like you are being sucked into the most frightening feelings, you will always have a place to land that will hold and support you. I send love and gratitude for you, here, in this life.
Thank you Susan!