I took my dogs to run in a field, 10 miles out of the city. The sun was shining, there was a breeze. I could see mountains and beautiful trees in every direction. It smelled fresh, alive, green. I identified 12 distinct bird breeds. I had a feeling of utter contentment and calm.
Sometimes
I see the same Question repeated,
or asked in a slightly different way . . .
my first thought is usually,
”well,
we’ve been asked this before.”
Then I take another think . . .
”perhaps there’s another way of looking at it”;
”maybe I can find a different perspective on it”.
My feeling
at this point in my life
is that Nature is not separate from me . . .
we are connected.
We are One.
Joseph mentioned this this morning,
and I think a few others have as well.
Living within this frame of mind,
my Life
thrives in Nature,
and Nature thrives in my heart
where it lives every day.
It is one reason
why I have always shared my life with a dog,
birds, rabbits,
and now cats.
Victor Hugo famously said,
“God has made the cat
to give man the pleasure of caressing the tiger.”
The gift of all Nature
is my solid rock,
my mossy bed,
my cherished scent . . .
Nature is where I feel whole
and I bring the outside in
whenever I can.
Without it in my life,
I think I would die. ♥
Yes, the questions are bound to repeat. Like you, I try to consider another avenue of thought. If I can sit with the question long enough, some tangent always reveals itself. 😁
Lately, when I am outside, I just notice how hot it is. 😐 But still, I almost always notice the sky, and in particular, the clouds. Clouds are amazing! I look at them, especially when moving through a blue sky, the way I would look at a work of art. I’m always amazed. I especially love the wispy ones. They are an art form that no human could ever come close to creating. Perfection and bliss, yet never the same.
Mary, I can pay attention to clouds dancing through space, and an extra treat when some birds of prey or vultures are soaring simultaneously much better than I can with the TV!
We do have new people coming in who may not have answered a particular question before.
I find if I let myself approach a question as if I’ve never answered it before, I find new thoughts, or I relate it to something recent in my life. I didn’t get outside at all today and this question reminds me I want to make sure I get outside tomorrow.
Right now! As I am learning new strategies for better health I am trying to meditate (A), and meditate outdoors (B) when I can. Texas heat is a bear! And some days getting outside after early mornings is just “unbearable”. Fortunately, today there is a strong breeze, so my husband, my dog and I are all enjoying some peaceful moments on our back porch. I am grateful for the back yard garden we have cultivated – the colors, the variety of plants, the birdhouses and feeders that draw the birds in, hummingbird feeders and pollinators that attract the bees, butterflies, dragonflies. And mornings and evenings we have bunnies that treat our chihuahua to a good chase around the yard. It is a sacred and holy place for us. In fact we call it Grace Place.
Carol Ann, I appreciate you sharing Richard’s meditation. His is my other daily reading each morning. I drink it in like fresh water each day. Though, sometimes I have to chew it – it’s rather meaty. I read other things as well most mornings, but this and his are the “not to miss” each day.
I walked outside this morning and saw our drought-tolerant yard thriving. The native grass is green and sprouting seeds, the lavender is humungous, and I saw a kind of bee I’d never seen before. We’re in a historical drought, and can only water twice a week–and the garden loves it! I’m grateful that I had an aversion to non-native grass in the desert and didn’t go that route in the first place.
Nature is such a gift to all! I feel grateful every moment I take the time to notice that I am enmeshed in it. Last night walking my dog at midnight and looking up at the glittering sky, this morning as I go out to sip my tea and watch the sun peak over the neighbors roof. The trick is taking the time to notice!
I am not only grateful for its beauty and the sense of wonder it inspires, but am grateful that it is there for all, a free beautiful, awe-inspiring gift!
Each day when I venture outdoors, instant gratitude emerges from my heart. Right now, I am praying on a 7th floor porch. Dense morning fog has a unique beauty which inspires me. Birds serenade the start of another day. As Heschel says, “Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.”I start this day more aware and more grateful, thanks to this question.
I truly appreciate how each day’s quote & reflection question dovetail.
Namaste to those who orchestrate this wonderful site.
Josie, Heschel’s quote is one to which I keep returning – it is a favorite of mine. Thank you for sharing it and bringing forward again in my awareness!
I wrote a second post about a book I just finished that I thought many would like, but it disappeared. It’s called “Windswept- Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women” by Annabel Abbs. I don’t know where it went so writing a briefer post. Most of the women were artists or writers.
I didn’t read it all at once but enjoyed the story of each woman and put the book down for a while. Each chapter unpacked different things; gender roles ( woman walking alone v men), conquering fears, finding oneself, how different types of nature brings different effects.
I thought of many here while reading it and wanted to share.
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Being in nature has always been a balm for me.
I got out there today. I felt gratefulness, calm, clarity, purpose, connection, and so much more.
I took my dogs to run in a field, 10 miles out of the city. The sun was shining, there was a breeze. I could see mountains and beautiful trees in every direction. It smelled fresh, alive, green. I identified 12 distinct bird breeds. I had a feeling of utter contentment and calm.
Everyday, All Day….☀️🦅🌼🌱✨🌕
Thank you Mother Nature. 🙏🏻❤️
🍓🌕
❤️
Sometimes
I see the same Question repeated,
or asked in a slightly different way . . .
my first thought is usually,
”well,
we’ve been asked this before.”
Then I take another think . . .
”perhaps there’s another way of looking at it”;
”maybe I can find a different perspective on it”.
My feeling
at this point in my life
is that Nature is not separate from me . . .
we are connected.
We are One.
Joseph mentioned this this morning,
and I think a few others have as well.
Living within this frame of mind,
my Life
thrives in Nature,
and Nature thrives in my heart
where it lives every day.
It is one reason
why I have always shared my life with a dog,
birds, rabbits,
and now cats.
Victor Hugo famously said,
“God has made the cat
to give man the pleasure of caressing the tiger.”
The gift of all Nature
is my solid rock,
my mossy bed,
my cherished scent . . .
Nature is where I feel whole
and I bring the outside in
whenever I can.
Without it in my life,
I think I would die. ♥
Love the Victor Hugo quote,thank you for posting it. I’m sharing it with my kids.
🙂
Yes, the questions are bound to repeat. Like you, I try to consider another avenue of thought. If I can sit with the question long enough, some tangent always reveals itself. 😁
Like seeing the Question
with fresh eyes,
something new pops up,
dear Charlie . . .
I agree. ♥
I began cutting hay today, fresh mown hay is a cherished and wonderful scent, dear Sparrow.
Fresh mown hay,
dear Joseph . . .
oh,
the sweet scents of summer! 🙂
Lately, when I am outside, I just notice how hot it is. 😐 But still, I almost always notice the sky, and in particular, the clouds. Clouds are amazing! I look at them, especially when moving through a blue sky, the way I would look at a work of art. I’m always amazed. I especially love the wispy ones. They are an art form that no human could ever come close to creating. Perfection and bliss, yet never the same.
Mary, I can pay attention to clouds dancing through space, and an extra treat when some birds of prey or vultures are soaring simultaneously much better than I can with the TV!
Mary, 95 degrees today in the Twin Cities.
🔥
I think clouds
are wind’s paintbrush,
dear Mary,
for us to enjoy. ♥
“Wind’s paintbrush”. Love that Sparrow.
This morning! I heard birds chirping and watched the clouds roll by as I was stretching and catching some sun between the clouds. A lovely morning!!
Every single day, numerous and multiple times. What a redundant
question!
We do have new people coming in who may not have answered a particular question before.
I find if I let myself approach a question as if I’ve never answered it before, I find new thoughts, or I relate it to something recent in my life. I didn’t get outside at all today and this question reminds me I want to make sure I get outside tomorrow.
All the time! It surprises me. Yesterday it was pointed out to me that here in WI we have native orchids. WOW we are so blessed.
I think lady slippers
are orchids . . .
perhaps you have them in Wisconsin,
dear Yram (?) ♥
Yes
When I see the birds in my bird bath. Sometimes they drink, sometimes they bathe. Last night 3 or 4 of them were just sitting in the water!
cooling their bottoms,
perhaps . . . 🙂
Right now! As I am learning new strategies for better health I am trying to meditate (A), and meditate outdoors (B) when I can. Texas heat is a bear! And some days getting outside after early mornings is just “unbearable”. Fortunately, today there is a strong breeze, so my husband, my dog and I are all enjoying some peaceful moments on our back porch. I am grateful for the back yard garden we have cultivated – the colors, the variety of plants, the birdhouses and feeders that draw the birds in, hummingbird feeders and pollinators that attract the bees, butterflies, dragonflies. And mornings and evenings we have bunnies that treat our chihuahua to a good chase around the yard. It is a sacred and holy place for us. In fact we call it Grace Place.
I agree with Carol Ann,
dear Katrina . . .
you paint such a peaceful picture.
I feel like I’m sitting there with you. ♥
Katrina, Your response to today’s question paints a uplifting picture! All is grace. Thought you might enjoy reading Richard Rohr’s meditation today.
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-grace-is-from-gods-side/
Carol Ann, I appreciate you sharing Richard’s meditation. His is my other daily reading each morning. I drink it in like fresh water each day. Though, sometimes I have to chew it – it’s rather meaty. I read other things as well most mornings, but this and his are the “not to miss” each day.
Katrina, Richard is real. Everything he rights is from personal experience. I met him about 30 years ago and lived at his center for a few months.
Today ! I walked my dog and enjoyed the forest and the sunshine. There were lovely wild flowers everywhere. I’m so grateful for nature !
How is Simba, dear Antoinette?
Thank you for asking Joseph. He seems to be getting better . I’m going set up an an appointment to check to see if he can stop meds . I’m
I walked outside this morning and saw our drought-tolerant yard thriving. The native grass is green and sprouting seeds, the lavender is humungous, and I saw a kind of bee I’d never seen before. We’re in a historical drought, and can only water twice a week–and the garden loves it! I’m grateful that I had an aversion to non-native grass in the desert and didn’t go that route in the first place.
Nature is such a gift to all! I feel grateful every moment I take the time to notice that I am enmeshed in it. Last night walking my dog at midnight and looking up at the glittering sky, this morning as I go out to sip my tea and watch the sun peak over the neighbors roof. The trick is taking the time to notice!
I am not only grateful for its beauty and the sense of wonder it inspires, but am grateful that it is there for all, a free beautiful, awe-inspiring gift!
Each day when I venture outdoors, instant gratitude emerges from my heart. Right now, I am praying on a 7th floor porch. Dense morning fog has a unique beauty which inspires me. Birds serenade the start of another day. As Heschel says, “Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.”I start this day more aware and more grateful, thanks to this question.
I truly appreciate how each day’s quote & reflection question dovetail.
Namaste to those who orchestrate this wonderful site.
“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.”
I simple reminder
that calms my soul
when caught in chaos,
dear Josie.
Thank you for putting it up here. ♥
I had not been aware of Heschel and looked him up. Thank you–I’d like to read some of his work now.
Josie, Heschel’s quote is one to which I keep returning – it is a favorite of mine. Thank you for sharing it and bringing forward again in my awareness!
I wrote a second post about a book I just finished that I thought many would like, but it disappeared. It’s called “Windswept- Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women” by Annabel Abbs. I don’t know where it went so writing a briefer post. Most of the women were artists or writers.
I didn’t read it all at once but enjoyed the story of each woman and put the book down for a while. Each chapter unpacked different things; gender roles ( woman walking alone v men), conquering fears, finding oneself, how different types of nature brings different effects.
I thought of many here while reading it and wanted to share.
I read and enjoyed this one too. I was just trying to remember the title the other day–glad you mentioned it.
Thank you Deann! I read the summary, the book sounds good. I’ve read Nan Shepherd and love her writing.