Reflections

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  1. Ose
    Ose
    3 days ago

    Like many here, trees are one of nature´s expressions of supporting a grateful perspective on life. Without them, I guess, the life giving circle of sun´s rays and their green leaves transforming unhealthy outbreath back to life giving oxygen to me seems to be one of the most fundamental of nature´s aspects of life itself, supporting life with all their being. Without them, there would be no life possible on our most beautiful Mother Earth. I am deeply grateful for them and for all expressions of life in our most beautiful natural world.

  2. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    3 days ago

    I could be a turtle coming out of the cool water
    or a snake . . .
    or a lizard,
    I could be a tern or a gull,
    resting my body and warming my feet on stone,
    heated by the sun during the day.

    Stone has been here since eternity . . .
    strong and firm . . .
    wiser than us all,
    patient to a fault
    and enduring the hardships of wind and rain through the ages,
    through the eons,
    eras, epochs . . .
    what is a day to stone?
    Stone gazes shamelessly at the stars all night,
    is cooled by rain and warmed by the sun.
    To me,
    stone is an anchor to the heart of the earth,
    perhaps the the very bedrock of my soul.

    This is what emerges for me today.

    1. Michele
      Michele
      3 days ago

      I loved that you choose stone – made me think of my dad’s kitchen (he is in Clearwater Beach, FL) – my brother had brought down stone with mica in it from Pa – so beautiful. I love my dad’s kitchen with that beautiful stone.

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        2 days ago

        I’m happy,
        dear Michele,
        that I could inspire a happy memory for you . . . 🙂

        1. sparrow51014
          sparrow
          2 days ago

          Stone contains elements that make up our own bodies . . .

          “‘The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.’
          ~ Carl Sagan

  3. Mary
    Mary
    3 days ago

    I love pine trees.
    Toward the end of an evening walk, just as it’s starting to get dark,
    I love to see a stand of tall pine trees.
    Strikingly beautiful in silhouette.
    Towering above with their long chiseled trunks, they have an aura of peacefulness around them.
    In groups they feel protective and they do protect each other from high winds.
    I love their pine cones and beds of spent needles in my yard.
    They look especially beautiful with scattered wispy clouds behind them as back drop.
    They help me to feel peaceful and grateful for nature and for my life.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      3 days ago

      The sound of a fall wind whispering through them, is a sound I trust. Thank you Mary.

  4. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol Ann Conner
    3 days ago

    Because of the summer heat, I start my day early with a walk before sweating time sets in. The birds are just chirpy away, greeting the day, and I love hearing their different bird songs. I have a bird feeder and bird bath visible from my living room window and the sparrows and cardinals eat there every morning and evening. Sometimes there are four or five sparrows on the feeder at one time and the bird bath is always busy in the morning and evening. They romp and play in the water as well as drink their fill. I love watching them. They are my teachers.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 days ago

      Ah,
      dear Carol . . .
      I think you’ve taken me
      on your morning walk. ♥

    2. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      Carol Ann, that’s a great idea. The sun rises earlier. It’s also cooler in the morning. Cooler feels more comfortable for me.

  5. Charlie T
    Charlie T
    3 days ago

    One thing would be natures tenacity and ability to recover. Watching the forest recover after a fire is quite amazing. Yes, there is death and destruction.
    But there is also rebirth. Exuberant and hopeful rebuilding.

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      Charlie, their resilience is amazing.

  6. Elizabeth H67151
    Elizabeth H
    3 days ago

    Birds. I am so grateful for how they come even into town and city areas and grace us with their movements, colors, and songs. Even people who do not have the means to get out into the wilderness can still have access to enjoying birds.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 days ago

      I hadn’t thought of it that way before,
      dear Elizabeth,
      but I get it . . .
      my mother had a friend
      who put a bird feeder outside her assisted living apartment window.

    2. D
      Drea
      3 days ago

      Lovely observation, Elizabeth. Birds show up in the most unexpected places.

  7. Ngoc Nguyen
    Ngoc Nguyen
    3 days ago

    There was an avocado tree and a lime tree that were about to die because they hadn’t had water for months. After my mom started taking loving care of them, the trees began to grow again, and now both are producing an abundance of fruit. I’m so happy to see them. This brings me joy and hope in my life. I’m grateful for the natural life of all living things.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      3 days ago

      Wonderful Ngoc!

    2. D
      Drea
      3 days ago

      What beautiful trees and delicious flavors. Good for your mom for bringing them back to life.

    3. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      My Ngoc, as I commented to Charlie’s response, nature and resiliency go together. It’s just like with us healing from a good night sleep. Nothing can replace that.

      1. Mary
        Mary
        3 days ago

        I agree, Loc. Sleep helps so much!

  8. Barb C
    Barb C
    3 days ago

    Many things, and the question asks for one. I’m torn between the sun, the sky and seeds, and I’m going with birds. Their chirps and songs always draw my attention and give me a pause from whatever i’ve been thinking of. Yesterday I drove a van full of colleagues across Washington State to a week-long conference. Along the way my heart lifted when I saw a big hawk tilting and soaring over the highway I drove on, probably catching a thermal lift from the hot pavement. The other day when I was working in my garden, a hummingbird hovered over the tomato plants and stared at me. Birds bring me sounds and sights and a sense of wonder, always with a pause to pay attention and appreciate.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      3 days ago

      The winged beings always seem to put on a show to my eyes. Although they are just living their life. Thank you Carol.

  9. David Muncey
    David
    3 days ago

    I feel at peace when I walk in the mornings. The farmland in Indiana is beautiful. My mind is able to process and think about all the good in my life. I like to problem solve and reflect on anything. When I look around I am able to see God in nature. I am able to speak listen to God.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      3 days ago

      I well remember the cornfields in Illinois . . .
      thank you,
      dear David,
      for reminding me. ♥

  10. L
    Loc Tran
    3 days ago

    There’s a lake right in front of my house that brings a peaceful vibe, especially when looking through the big window in the living room.

  11. D
    Drea
    3 days ago

    The mountains. I am puny, short-lived, soft, and young compared to them. It’s unwise to hike or ski up one without provisions or preparation. Their raw beauty compels respect and humility.

  12. Yram
    Yram
    4 days ago

    Trees are one of my favorite natural things. For some reason I am very attracted to knotty ones. They speak to me of the messiness of life. In some of those trees there is new growth. Awwwweee a perspective!

    1. D
      Drea
      3 days ago

      I love the knotty, gnarled ones too Yram. They’re really beautiful in their way.

  13. D
    Deann
    4 days ago

    So many- the sunrise and the ocean are my go to- I guess the ultimate is the rare sunrise over the ocean.

  14. Patti
    sunnypatti
    4 days ago

    Oh, there’s so much to choose from! But this morning, I’ll choose the sun. I love the light it offers, how it brightens the world, bounces off of moisture in the air to show us rainbows, peeks around clouds with beautiful rays of light, nourishes the earth, nourishes our bodies. The sun offers warmth, sometimes pretty hot depending on the time of year, but it’s just doing what it does. It lights up our universe and our lives. I love it!

  15. Michele
    Michele
    4 days ago

    The weather – it is constantly changing and can be very destructive. I am grateful for our newscasters and technology that we do have.

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      3 days ago

      Michele, the weather can get really wild in Minnesota with the 4 seasons.

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