a new day begins
misty
mysterious
cool air
lips pursed
color kisses the day
secreted beneath the cover of leaves
a periwinkle looks up expectantly
as if waiting for me
to notice her presence
I lift my face
to a now brilliant sky
green buds birthing
red blossoms bursting
yellow stars dancing
on slender branches
fully awake
to the glory
of a single morning
to a Presence
my mind will never
understand
a knowing my heart
cannot deny
misty
mysterious
cool airlips pursed
color kisses the day
secreted beneath the cover of leaves
a periwinkle looks up expectantlyas if waiting for me
to notice her presence
I lift my faceto a now brilliant sky
green buds birthing
red blossoms bursting 
yellow stars dancingon slender branches
fully awake to the glory
of a single morning
to a Presencemy mind will never
understand
a knowing my heart
cannot deny
When I greet a moment with awareness, with gentleness and good will,the veil of morning fog parts and I feel like Dorothy stepping out of the house and entering the enchantment (reality?) of Oz. I am so grateful to Sylvia Boorstein for the metta practice she has been sharing through the Spirituality & Practice e-course I have been privileged to be a part of for the past 3 weeks. We have two more lessons, and I am noticing that my heart is more and more open every day, just like the crocuses above. To me, open means feeling really happy, content and loving...it also means fully feeling when I am angry, hurt, sad or frustrated. And...it means recognizing the possibility of responding to myself and others with more compassion when my temper flares, judgment takes me by surprise, or sadness is momentarily overwhelming. I want to thank my friend Jan Lundy who recommended this course and is sharing this journey with me. What a blessing to be connected to such a bright shining soul. Actually the blessing is far more expansive as I am now connected to many bright shining souls...each of you reading this blog entry, sojourners on the way, must be included- each of you one of the bright forsythia star blossoms I have been blessed to meet heart to heart on this road called life!
On this the last day of Pesach (Passover), may all be free from the bondage of suffering imposed by others or by our own hardened hearts. May we soften and open to the wisdom of compassionate living.
may we all feel safe
may we all feel happy
may we all feel strong
may we all live with ease
may it be so
for all living things
for all beings
today and every day
gentle steps,
Laura
On this the last day of Pesach (Passover), may all be free from the bondage of suffering imposed by others or by our own hardened hearts. May we soften and open to the wisdom of compassionate living.
may we all feel safe
may we all feel happy
may we all feel strong
may we all live with ease
may it be so
for all living things
for all beings
today and every day
gentle steps,
Laura
absolutely gorgeous, serene and a feeling of peaceful joy! thanks you!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos...I particularly like the contrast between the deep grey of the top one and the bright colors of those below.
ReplyDeleteSpeak of awareness, or a lack thereof, has this blog always been called "Creativity IS a Spiritual Practice"? For all this time, I've been reading the title as "Creativity AS a Spiritual Practice"...
It seems those bright forsythia blossoms and all they signify, yellow stars each, are forming a beautiful new constellation in your life!
ReplyDeleteDr.Jay you are right! I changed it and YOU are the only person to have noticed (or at least noticed and mentioned it) I think I must devise a prize for this astute observation. hmmm.
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely post, Laura! I enjoyed your photos and your words. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteyes... let it be so x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos
ReplyDeletePowerful words
Amazing Grace
Such beautiful photos to go along with the beautiful words! Together, they're like a song or a dance, engaging, light, happy.
ReplyDeleteSome might think that awareness is all about light and love, but awareness is about being aware of all things. As you know, one of my favorites is "receive what you are given," the good and the bad, the light and the darkness. Being aware of the light allows us to be in the dark and to shine our own light within.
You are a blessing, Laura, as is dear Jan. I feel humbly gifted to know you. "May we soften and open to the wisdom of compassionate living." Amen amen amen
thank you for your blessing and each and every photo that you share with us. You capture the spirit of the beauty of spring in a lovely way. Wishing that your blessing for us is your blessing as well.
ReplyDeleteYou have captured and conveyed your thoughts so poignantly and complimented them well in images. I love the idea of the crocuses and I love that picture.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment yesterday. I will for sure look into that phenomenon you mention (and that I too recognize;) and get back to you;).
Have a lovely day,
xp
Zuzana
your thoughtfulness is touching, all is so personal. Very different from the 'creative-only' blog I maintain, i like your writing a lot. Thanks for sending me the link,
ReplyDeleteDymphie
Oh, I receive your soft hearted praye with open petals:) It sounds like Sylvia's metta practice really did a number on you. You are in love, and it shows!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite lines:
'a periwinkle looks up expectantly
as if waiting for me
to notice her presence'
Did you see yourself in that flower???
In response to everyone's thoughtful comments...I feel held by your loving words!
ReplyDeleteMy Mermaid friend, I had not thought of myself hiding in that tiny blossom...but of course I was there! You are so right.
Thank you for nudging my soul with these gorgeous and touching [that one periwinkle] photos of new birth. Happy spring!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and amazing scenes.
ReplyDeleteGreat captures!
I stopped by specifically this morning to once again enjoy these delightful photos of spring and to read again the quote you keep posted:
ReplyDeleteJust to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.
~Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
His words came to me yesterday as I watched storm clouds pass over on my drive home. I had been rushing around all morning getting things done and realized on my way home that none of that really mattered. It also didn't matter that I didn't do everything on my to-do list. In my mind I combined the thoughts ~ Just to be is holy. That's what matters.
The misty mysterious photo is breathtaking.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely post- the pictures and words combine to form a complete work of art.
ReplyDeletean enchanting pleasure :)x
ReplyDeleteI, too, have participated in some of the Spirituality & Practice email workshops. I truly enjoyed them! Such a small world!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Debbie