I have temporarily
turned my dining room table
over to a plant nursery,
with heated pads and grow lights
to get a head start on starting my vegetables and flowers . . .
the seed trays
are filled with several hundred pots
with seeds that have been painstakingly planted . . .
tomatoes,
eggplant, zucchini, spinach,
and some new ones we are trying this year . . .
broccoli, cauliflower,
Brussels sprouts and carrots.
It’s an amazement and a wonder to me
when I turn on the grow lights every morning . . .
an amazement
to see little green things pushing up through the soil.
You can almost see the zucchini grow bit by bit.
I worked with a nurse some time ago
who was a farmer’s daughter.
When she was a child
he would take her out to the cornfields
to watch the corn grow . . .
She told me
that they sat very quietly among the corn stalks
and listen carefully.
“Shhht, shhht,”
she said
was the sound of the corn growing.
It is an amazement to me
to watch the garlic and asparagus grow outside,
but within my small nursery
I get to watch up close and personal.
I don’t hear my little plants grow,
but I see the progress every day,
their tender little leaves
bravely develop from the tiniest of seeds
into what they were meant to be . . .
they’ve been doing it for centuries
with no orders or proclamations,
just quietly doing their thing.
It is impossible to have a garden
or a pot of flowers,
or a nursery on your dining room table
and not know
that there is a Power,
or Energy,
or Divine Source
outside of our own scientific knowledge
that gives those little beings the knowledge to grow
embedded in their little hearts.
I don’t understand the naysayers . . .
the same with sunrises, sunsets,
rain and snow . . .
I don’t understand at all,
but I feel blessed
to be able to feel it
deep down in my soul
with wonder and with love . . .. ♥
Thank you for this question.
After reading the newspaper
I am feeling my anxiety rising
and the need to change my state of mind.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for the links to Waging Nonviolence
and Nonviolence News.
Reading from these sites help me to get my hope back.
Moments that fill me with wonder-
Feeling a very cool breeze last evening after a week of very warm weather.
Watching two of my cats (who are not great fans of each other)
sleeping side by side last night and almost snuggling. 😺
Holding my extremely mischievous Siamese cat last night
and looking deeply into her impossibly blue eyes.
Looking at the blue sky with loosely formed white clouds,
and bright spring green foliage all around.
Feeling the comfort of my home.
Feeling so much better than I felt when I started
Thank you grateful.org!🥰
Looking at the soil in my raised beds just a few days after planting seeds and seeing leaves poking up. Looking again a week later and seeing how much bigger they are.
Watching clouds as the wind pushes them across the sky and thinking about that invisible power at work.
Looking at a night sky full of stars whose light has traveled so far for so long to reach me.
Looking at the glowing moon and recognizing that I’m seeing sunlight.
Listening to Yo-Yo Ma playing the cello.
Being near the ocean or a waterfall, smelling and feeling moving water.
How exciting it must be to see your garden growing. We’re not advised to plant outside here until after Mother’s Day, since it’s hail season. I can’t wait to put some plants in the ground.
Any time a moment is filled with unexpected kindness…a smile…a “May I help you?” when someone sees me struggling…pictures of my great grandchildren who I hope to see in person in May of this year…the realization that the same moon I see in the night sky can be see by others thousands of miles away…the perennial plants that are poking their leaves through the soil announcing spring…and always, the trees that teach me that I must be rooted in trust and vulnerable enough to accept Life’s invitation to dance.
A rock on the sidewalk caught my eye when I was walking our dogs yesterday, but when I really looked at it, I realized it was a tiny little box turtle. I picked him up to put him on the edge of the lake, and his little legs started moving… rather quickly for a turtle! His little face was so fierce, but so cute at the same time. I walked him over to put him in a safer spot and couldn’t help but think about how long turtles can live. These little dinosaurs with their strong shells. It’s a perfect design. When we walked around to another side of the lake, I saw a group of turtles sunning together on a pipe. They looked so peaceful… I wonder what they were thinking! I’m always in awe of nature.
Seeing turtles
sunning themselves on rocks or branches,
with their heads raised to the sky,
dear Sunnypatti,
always brings Joy to my heart.
Thank you for reminding me. ♥
Thank you for this question. It comes at a time when my head is spinning with so many things. Work, politics, and planning and preparing for a trip. I appreciate this moment to slow down for a minute and contemplate wonder.
Any time I can look at the sky with some intention.
Sunrise’s, sunsets, the clouds moving across the sky, stars on a dark night, the many types of rain and sunshine, the wind, the feel of the suns heat warming my bones.
Not to mention those moments between people or animals the show care and kindness.
Wow, I could go on and on.
This morning is a perfect example when I read my answer from yesterday and saw all the wonderful responses. If we stay true to ourselves, live the right way, and do the right things, we’ll be recognized. Good things come for those who expect nothing in return.
It’s still dark out, so I’ll share a moment that happened during meditation. I found myself wishing those who had harmed me a good day. I ran through the specifics as though I was peering over their shoulder, watching them inhale fresh air, eat a good meal, get good rest, take a walk outside in the sunshine. I imagined this exercise with three people I know personally and three I don’t. I imagined them reacting in their characteristic ways, and continued to picture them exposed to wholesome, simple pleasures.
After this impromptu imagining, I felt a new sense of freedom. By walking these difficult people imaginatively through a good day, and wishing them a good day for them from my heart, the anger and resentment that bound me to them dissolved. I found a new sense of spaciousness and motion. I wish them the best, and now I am free to act.
I feel wonder at how this imagining came to me on the heels of the familiar practice of tonglen (https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-practice-tonglen-meditation/), and at how it synthesized things I have been learning about in an experiential way. Meditation can be pretty cool sometimes.
This moment is pretty magical. I’m in bed late. I am surrounded by kitties. I can hear the birds singing outside. There is very little to do except for be.
When I go to feed the barn cats and let Pooch out in about an hour. Most of the time the show of the stars is playing. When it is in its cycle the moon illuminates the way. No need for the flashlight. Once in a while it may be cloudy, snowing or raining. I always stop and gaze at the sky in stillness. Or shine my light up through the rain or snow from the porch. Hear the river running. A breeze rustling through the cottonwoods that line the river. Pet Pooch, who always greets me as a long-lost friend although it has only been 10 hours since the last scratching. The cats seem excited when the food arrives, but that recognition only lasts a second as they eat from the various pans. May all experience some wonder in your day. Namaste.
I think you are so very fortunate,
dear Joseph,
to live in the the country,
where the stars are not blotted out by city lights . . .
I love that you share your experience
with us.
It’s like being given a piece of your day. ♥
I too pause when I see the grandeur of a sunrise slowly trickle across the sky. Watching the sunset moves me too. Both reflect the Creator’s touch, nothing by human hands. I’m reminded of my smallness on this planet.
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I have temporarily
turned my dining room table
over to a plant nursery,
with heated pads and grow lights
to get a head start on starting my vegetables and flowers . . .
the seed trays
are filled with several hundred pots
with seeds that have been painstakingly planted . . .
tomatoes,
eggplant, zucchini, spinach,
and some new ones we are trying this year . . .
broccoli, cauliflower,
Brussels sprouts and carrots.
It’s an amazement and a wonder to me
when I turn on the grow lights every morning . . .
an amazement
to see little green things pushing up through the soil.
You can almost see the zucchini grow bit by bit.
I worked with a nurse some time ago
who was a farmer’s daughter.
When she was a child
he would take her out to the cornfields
to watch the corn grow . . .
She told me
that they sat very quietly among the corn stalks
and listen carefully.
“Shhht, shhht,”
she said
was the sound of the corn growing.
It is an amazement to me
to watch the garlic and asparagus grow outside,
but within my small nursery
I get to watch up close and personal.
I don’t hear my little plants grow,
but I see the progress every day,
their tender little leaves
bravely develop from the tiniest of seeds
into what they were meant to be . . .
they’ve been doing it for centuries
with no orders or proclamations,
just quietly doing their thing.
It is impossible to have a garden
or a pot of flowers,
or a nursery on your dining room table
and not know
that there is a Power,
or Energy,
or Divine Source
outside of our own scientific knowledge
that gives those little beings the knowledge to grow
embedded in their little hearts.
I don’t understand the naysayers . . .
the same with sunrises, sunsets,
rain and snow . . .
I don’t understand at all,
but I feel blessed
to be able to feel it
deep down in my soul
with wonder and with love . . .. ♥
Beautiful Sparrow
Thank you,
dear Avril . . . ♥
My orchids that have been dormant now have blooms – yes, beautiful to watch, thank you Sparrow – I loved your reflection.
What a joy,
dear Michele,
to have orchids! 🙂
“I don’t understand it at all, but I feel blessed to be able to feel it.” My sentiments also dear Sparrow.🌱🌱🌱
Finding this foothold,
dear Joseph,
makes it all worth it,
doesn’t it? ♥
The moments when there is peace and my mind is calm are wonderful! To be in flow – freedom from worry is wonderful.
Thank you for this question.
After reading the newspaper
I am feeling my anxiety rising
and the need to change my state of mind.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for the links to Waging Nonviolence
and Nonviolence News.
Reading from these sites help me to get my hope back.
Moments that fill me with wonder-
Feeling a very cool breeze last evening after a week of very warm weather.
Watching two of my cats (who are not great fans of each other)
sleeping side by side last night and almost snuggling. 😺
Holding my extremely mischievous Siamese cat last night
and looking deeply into her impossibly blue eyes.
Looking at the blue sky with loosely formed white clouds,
and bright spring green foliage all around.
Feeling the comfort of my home.
Feeling so much better than I felt when I started
Thank you grateful.org!🥰
I know this feeling well,
dear Mary . . .
thank you for painting a picture of it. ♥
🖼️ 🥰
I feel like I’m there with you Mary, how beautiful.
🥰🥰
Looking at the soil in my raised beds just a few days after planting seeds and seeing leaves poking up. Looking again a week later and seeing how much bigger they are.
Watching clouds as the wind pushes them across the sky and thinking about that invisible power at work.
Looking at a night sky full of stars whose light has traveled so far for so long to reach me.
Looking at the glowing moon and recognizing that I’m seeing sunlight.
Listening to Yo-Yo Ma playing the cello.
Being near the ocean or a waterfall, smelling and feeling moving water.
How I love the moving water!
How exciting it must be to see your garden growing. We’re not advised to plant outside here until after Mother’s Day, since it’s hail season. I can’t wait to put some plants in the ground.
Any time a moment is filled with unexpected kindness…a smile…a “May I help you?” when someone sees me struggling…pictures of my great grandchildren who I hope to see in person in May of this year…the realization that the same moon I see in the night sky can be see by others thousands of miles away…the perennial plants that are poking their leaves through the soil announcing spring…and always, the trees that teach me that I must be rooted in trust and vulnerable enough to accept Life’s invitation to dance.
Rooted in trust … yes, that is a good reminder and something to work on.
A rock on the sidewalk caught my eye when I was walking our dogs yesterday, but when I really looked at it, I realized it was a tiny little box turtle. I picked him up to put him on the edge of the lake, and his little legs started moving… rather quickly for a turtle! His little face was so fierce, but so cute at the same time. I walked him over to put him in a safer spot and couldn’t help but think about how long turtles can live. These little dinosaurs with their strong shells. It’s a perfect design. When we walked around to another side of the lake, I saw a group of turtles sunning together on a pipe. They looked so peaceful… I wonder what they were thinking! I’m always in awe of nature.
Seeing turtles
sunning themselves on rocks or branches,
with their heads raised to the sky,
dear Sunnypatti,
always brings Joy to my heart.
Thank you for reminding me. ♥
Oh, that sounds so touching! Turtles are adorable. I’m always amazed at how far they can get, moving as slowly as they do.
Meeting my new little grand-nephew!
There is nothing that fills me with wonder as much as a baby.
Vulnerability, astonishing beauty, and potential.
And absolutely new to this world.
How wonderful for you,
dear Linda . . .
new life. ♥
Congratulations, Linda.
Thank you for this question. It comes at a time when my head is spinning with so many things. Work, politics, and planning and preparing for a trip. I appreciate this moment to slow down for a minute and contemplate wonder.
Any time I can look at the sky with some intention.
Sunrise’s, sunsets, the clouds moving across the sky, stars on a dark night, the many types of rain and sunshine, the wind, the feel of the suns heat warming my bones.
Not to mention those moments between people or animals the show care and kindness.
Wow, I could go on and on.
”Not to mention those moments between people or animals the show care and kindness.”
This too,
dear Charlie . . . ♥
Charlie, it’s amazing to realize how much we miss once we slow down.
This morning is a perfect example when I read my answer from yesterday and saw all the wonderful responses. If we stay true to ourselves, live the right way, and do the right things, we’ll be recognized. Good things come for those who expect nothing in return.
It’s still dark out, so I’ll share a moment that happened during meditation. I found myself wishing those who had harmed me a good day. I ran through the specifics as though I was peering over their shoulder, watching them inhale fresh air, eat a good meal, get good rest, take a walk outside in the sunshine. I imagined this exercise with three people I know personally and three I don’t. I imagined them reacting in their characteristic ways, and continued to picture them exposed to wholesome, simple pleasures.
After this impromptu imagining, I felt a new sense of freedom. By walking these difficult people imaginatively through a good day, and wishing them a good day for them from my heart, the anger and resentment that bound me to them dissolved. I found a new sense of spaciousness and motion. I wish them the best, and now I am free to act.
I feel wonder at how this imagining came to me on the heels of the familiar practice of tonglen (https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-practice-tonglen-meditation/), and at how it synthesized things I have been learning about in an experiential way. Meditation can be pretty cool sometimes.
Thank you for the link, Drea. I have specific relationship that may just benefit from tonglen meditation.
I could feel as I read your post, Drea, how this could be very freeing.
I’m inspired.
I’ll look into the tonglen meditation.
Tonglen meditation
is a beautiful practice,
and so freeing,
dear Drea . . .
thank you for your story. ♥
This is beautiful and sounds so freeing.
Beautiful, Drea!
This moment is pretty magical. I’m in bed late. I am surrounded by kitties. I can hear the birds singing outside. There is very little to do except for be.
BEing before Doing can BE so much more rewarding!
Surrounded by kitties– wonderful.
The miracle of healing physically and spiritually. May everyone encounter some peace today! 🌱
My Ngoc, sleep certainly helps.
You, as well, Ngoc.
Death, The Universe, Nature
What happens to our essence after we close our eyes for the final time, makes me wonder a bit too Michele.
Yes, nature. I can feel it, especially when I wake up in the morning. Human nature is programmed to sleep at night and stay awake during the day.
When I go to feed the barn cats and let Pooch out in about an hour. Most of the time the show of the stars is playing. When it is in its cycle the moon illuminates the way. No need for the flashlight. Once in a while it may be cloudy, snowing or raining. I always stop and gaze at the sky in stillness. Or shine my light up through the rain or snow from the porch. Hear the river running. A breeze rustling through the cottonwoods that line the river. Pet Pooch, who always greets me as a long-lost friend although it has only been 10 hours since the last scratching. The cats seem excited when the food arrives, but that recognition only lasts a second as they eat from the various pans. May all experience some wonder in your day. Namaste.
I think you are so very fortunate,
dear Joseph,
to live in the the country,
where the stars are not blotted out by city lights . . .
I love that you share your experience
with us.
It’s like being given a piece of your day. ♥
Oh, those stars sound epic. What a gift to see them most days.
Cats rock!
I too pause when I see the grandeur of a sunrise slowly trickle across the sky. Watching the sunset moves me too. Both reflect the Creator’s touch, nothing by human hands. I’m reminded of my smallness on this planet.
Carla, I remember taking a photo of a sunset and posting to Facebook a couple weeks ago. Many people of my family members loved it.