this morning, my thoughts

I spend much time thinking.  In fact I think that is what I should have taken in college Philosophy.  I actually did take a few courses and they made me think and I loved that.  

So last night and this morning while walking, I was considering what makes me happy, and unhappy.  I had for a year or so back wanted friends – someone I could drop in on for chat or coffee and no matter how much I wanted this magic happening it was not happening.  I decided I was beating a dead horse.  What I need will come to me if it is needed.  That is hard but true. So  I should instead enjoy what I have and what makes me happy, and let go of what does not.  It made me realize the words to the serenity prayer go beyond AA.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
Courage to chang the things I can:
and wisdom to know the difference.

If wishes were horses, I might try to change things in my life, but most of what I want to change, I cannot. Being miserable over what I do not have and cannot control is nuts!

So some things that please me right now this day~

 I enjoy where I live,  my home, the outside, the earth, skies, garden, critters, the colors, smalls, sounds.

I enjoy capturing these in pictures and playing with them.

I enjoy this blogging as it allows me a place to put my thoughts and pictures.

I enjoy family  (what there are that act like family).  The rest I let go.

I enjoy living well, fully ~ eating well, being warm, having the freedom to choose what I want to do on a given day, work, read, clean, stare out the window, sit on the deck, work with flowers, walk, do nada without guilt. 

I enjoy my ongoing conversations with the Great Mystery, my God. Great thinking there.

 And so much more.

I hone in on these and others that I enjoy.  I  let go of those people & things that do not bring me joy or whom bring me down.  Life is too short to waste.  

Thought I would share my thinking this morning.

neither god nor hero

Not that I want to be a god or a hero.

 Just to change into a tree,

 grow for ages, 

not hurt anyone. 

~ Czeslaw Milosz ~

poet and novelist (1911-2004) 

A few minutes ago every tree was excited, 

bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches 

in glorious enthusiasm like worship.  

But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. 

 Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life, 

every fiber thrilling like harp strings, 

while incense is ever flowing from the balsam bells and leaves.  

No wonder the hills and groves were God's first temples, 

and the more they are cut down and hewn into cathedrals and churches, 

the farther off and dimmer seems the Lord himself.  

~John Muir

The oaks and the pines, and their brethren of the wood, 

have seen so many suns rise and set, 

so many seasons come and go, 

and so many generations pass into silence, 

that we may well wonder what "the story of the trees"

 would be to us if they had tongues to tell it, 

or we ears fine enough to understand.  

~Author Unknown, 

Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... 

and if you have eyes you will be able to see

 that the whole existence is joyful. 

 Everything is simply happy. 

 Trees are happy for no reason; 

they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents

 and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance.   ~Osho

 Alone with myself

the trees bend to caress me.

The shade hugs my heart.

Candy Polgar

“How beautifully leaves grow old.

 How full of light and color are their last days.”

― John Burroughs

Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.  ~ John Muir

a thought

"You've chosen your path, now it's up to you to make the journey interesting." 

morning should be shared ~

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,

A neighborly day for a beauty.

Would you be mine?

Could you be mine?...

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.

I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?

compassion anyone

The whole idea of compassion is based 

on a keen awareness

 of the interdependence of all these living beings, 

which are all part of one another, 

 and all involved in one another.

Thomas Merton

honoring sam

  Hurt is the word I hear from Sam's family
and how hard to lose a friend.

My heart goes out to all who loved Sam
and whom Sam loved.

sound and movement and light oh my~

still picture does not do justice to these sculptures

At Boothbay Coastal Botanical Garden.

They move with the winds 

which causes a tinkling sound

while light reflects.

fathers

Think of how scary fatherhood must have been to this man. 

 43 years old and bingo an infant in your life and arms.  

Bestest memories of him

 are 

talking walks with him, in Roland Park and at the beach,

going to lacrosse games, 

having him sit with me in a darkened room when I had strep throat, 

coming in to say good night,

Sunday outings,

lunches at Women's Exchange 

and 

sitting with him after his heart attack & cancer really talking and listening

and talking about Love....

 Oh and the night he didn't come home from a date till early morning.

Oh, my 

garden wisdom

walkingr

did you know that ~

?

purpose

The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. 

They were not made for humans 

any more than black people were made for whites

 or women for men. 

-Alice Walker, poet and novelist (b. 1944) 

I have always felt that if we are blessed, and quiet, and respectful,

animals will invite us into their world.

We humans have changed or tried to make animals into the image

that we feel they should be.

All good things are wild and free. ` Thoreau

power

"If you knew how powerful your thoughts are, you would never have a negative thought."

Peace Pilgram

Now if I can just remember this.

leftover jordan

I would not have chosen this color tulip,

but

Jordan did

and I love it.

on a more positive note ~

Happiness is to appreciate what you have; 

unhappiness is to dwell on what you don't have.

Rabbi Shimon Ben Zoma (2nd century)