The Japanese Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum is celebrating 50 years this year! A wonderful spot for experiencing the simple pleasure of beauty. Always an inspiration. Here are a few snaps …
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It’s the effect of late-season snowfall on the land, an unexpected nourishment for the soil. We in the Northwest are experiencing this kind of weather right now, which always brings to mind this farmer’s wisdom. My mom used to comment on it when I was a child. I can hear my little self asking her about it right now.
The memory makes me feel all warm inside. So it turns out that this new occurrence of poor man’s fertilizer is a little unexpected nourishment for my soul, too.
A hopeful sign.
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As Peter Bowler mentions in the proglegomena of his book, The Superior Person’s Book of Words:
“Words are not only tools; they are also weapons.”
His “funny, useful and elevating little book” attempts to provide verbal weapons for the common man. So that he can be a Superior Person. Indeed. I chose my words with a different purpose, although I do find some of my favorites in Mr. Bowler’s little book:
Plethora … Egregious … Boondoggle
When a word appeals to my sense of the positive, I like it.
Remarkable … Loving … Kindness
Lonesome … Silly … Healing
Soul … Grace … Practice
Nincompoop … Wordsmith … Prankster
Great War … Cool beans … What if
What are some of your favorite words?
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Do you ever notice how certain things you can’t stop thinking about reveal themselves everywhere you put your attention? In the news, the blog posts you read … those special one-line advertisements at the top of your gmail box?
Social media page advertisements. While you meditate, pray? In casual conversation, email subject lines, forums, random job opportunities … during the exercise that wipes away your stress?
Some say Big Brother is watching us. Others cite the Law of Attraction, the Power of Positive Thinking. Certainly true for someone. Collective consciousness is, well, collective after all. Ask any group of souls repressed for years and years.
I like Louise Hay‘s advice: “Just notice, and be aware.”
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Over the past weekend, I prepare a meal of beef, adapted from one of Hassan M’Souli’s fabulous recipes he serves at his restaurant, Out of Africa. Yummy. “Hassan’s decision to leave family and friends behind him brought him to the shores of Sydney – he wanted to be as far away from familiarity as possible – to start an exciting journey in life, in a new and challenging environment…”
… It is Christmas Day, and I am watching the movie, Out of Africa, for the first time. My mom is sitting next to me. Hearing the first note of the late, great John Barry‘s moving soundtrack, my tears flow unchecked. Random experiences like these can touch a person, and it is like this for me now. With silence all around, I hear a loud whisper in my heart and mind, an unexpected connection, an aha moment, a lasting revelation.
Fast forward … “Give me work,” I hear Karen say, joining field workers harvesting coffee beans on her farm …
And I start today.
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Here’s a lovely bloom of desert chicory in the Anza Borrego Desert … for you.
Time for wildflowers in the desert! Experience Nature’s fragile, fragrant blush. Plan your visit with DesertUSA’s Wildflower Reports.
Photo Credit: Flickr, Alan Vernon.
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At what point does an artist move from journeyman to master? Is it the confidence of experience, or position, recognition or satisfaction … ability, skill, knowledge, talent, practice, aptitude – excellence – what makes the difference?
Some live their whole lives as a master in journeyman’s clothing. Is it a question of, value?
I don’t know.
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Artwork by Isaac Salazar
I’m thinking of everyone in the world today. Keeping us in my prayers, as we dig out from impressive snowstorms, witness emotional, life-changing global events … and simply move on through our days. Mother Nature may seem like a harsh mistress at times. Or perhaps a wake-up call.
What can I say that isn’t already said so eloquently by Sting? How fragile we are…
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Did your mom ever tell you to start your day right by eating a good breakfast? Mine did … and I spent my college years (and more time than I care to remember) NOT starting my day off right at all.
Mom was probably referring to fueling up for physical energy, but I’ve come to understand the phrase as meaning much more. Now, I start my day right with rituals that fuel my mind, body and soul:
Meditation. I take a little time every morning to simply be. Whatever time I can spare, it’s usually about 15 minutes.
Morning Pages. I practice Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, so I write three pages of “brain drain” in longhand each morning. This takes me about half an hour and it’s amazing what this does for my thinking process.
Breakfast. I break the evening fast with something to eat every morning. I may be doing other things, too – but Mom is right. It sure helps not feeling hungry on deadline.
Exercise. Because I work freelance, I shift my daily schedule to suit my needs (something anyone can do, really). So I don’t have to get in a daily walk at the crack of dawn. I usually take a break from working with a walk outdoors. If it’s raining (and it is many days here) I walk the 14 stairs in my house.
Accomplishing any one of these rituals could start my day “right,” yet when done all together, they are the bacon and eggs of my day.
And I’m very grateful!
Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons, jeffreyw
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There’s a lot of hoopla surrounding the zodiac and horoscopes lately, but it doesn’t change the experience I get from reading Free Will Astrology. Or the inspiration. It’s my little dose of pronoia (the antidote for paranoia), every time I read from Rob Brezsny‘s newsletter or weekly horoscope reading.
This week, Rob tells Sagittarians (among other things), “In the Beauty and Truth Lab parlance, ‘Uber-Fun’ (always capitalized) refers to righteous delight that inspires you to shed limiting beliefs, thereby making you trickier, smarter, kinder, and wilder. Go out and have some Uber-Fun.” It’s his “sacred advertisement” for us archers.
I have to say, Rob only has to tell me this once. And it has nothing to do with what the stars say.
My dad got me interested in the zodiac when I was a little girl. And I’ve been reading my horoscope ever since. I wonder sometimes what he’d think of Free Will Astrology. I know what I think: it’s my constant source of joy and delight. Not to mention Uber-Fun.
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Sageland Creative 