Shine the Divine: Creativity IS a Spiritual Practice: Small Bird

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Small Bird

small bird singing to the morning sky

a mottled blue after gray mist lifted here

while earth rumbled and sea crashed

and dashed dreams and lives there

in a land far away

and i

felt so much smaller

so i prayed.

The image above is from our hotel window Saturday, March 12th...when I retreated with my sister and sil, the day after the earthquake and tsunami. Looks so peaceful, doesn't it?

If you are feeling as though some quiet contemplative time is what you need this weekend, there is a free, guided online/stay-at-home retreat being offered at Buddha Chick this Saturday or Sunday (you choose). To register click here.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0qGjlue9nmc/TX8tLly1bPI/AAAAAAAAHuw/XiBwWDrMgm8/s1600/forjapanwithlove_blog.gif

60 comments:

ElenaMarch 17, 2011 at 6:50 AM
Absolutely beautiful!!!!!
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SharonMarch 17, 2011 at 8:40 AM
It seems impossible that the sun can rise and a bird can sing after events that change lives forever. Yet life goes on and we can pray.

May you have moments of peace this day ~
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Brian MillerMarch 17, 2011 at 9:34 AM
lovely verse...and in our smallness, He is large...
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texwisgirlMarch 17, 2011 at 9:39 AM
The earth keeps spinning somehow and our lives continue when others do not...
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beckyMarch 17, 2011 at 9:44 AM
So many contrasts these days...if we feel small, it's because we are...nature always reminds us.
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La Dolce VitaMarch 17, 2011 at 9:52 AM
I think tragedies happen to make us remember to be grateful... we never know when the earth will move for us... hugs to you dear one.
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forgetmenotMarch 17, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Such a lovely photo--and the verse "says it all". Have a peaceful, quiet, and blessed day. Mickie
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AnonymousMarch 17, 2011 at 10:24 AM
A lovely tribute to Japan... a gorgeous shot.
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DarlaMarch 17, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Beautiful writing and sharing . . . "i felt so much smaller so i prayed"... indeed. Lovely suggestion to encourage contemplative time; this week I've found myself feeing some resistance to contemplation and wrote about it today as a portal opened. A moment or two of space-stillness-contemplation...so vital and healing. Blessings to you, dear Laura.
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Myrna R.March 17, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Your writing so beautifully expresses the contrast in days like these.

Thanks for the tip on the retreat. I can't do it now, but perhaps I'll join another in the future.
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♥-Icy BC-♥March 17, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Gorgeous photo, and wonderful verse!
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TALONMarch 17, 2011 at 11:23 AM
That's a beautiful example of the bittersweetness of life, Laura.
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Pearl MapleMarch 17, 2011 at 2:44 PM
pretty view, thanks for sharing this darling little bird with swf
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Sylvia KMarch 17, 2011 at 2:44 PM
Beautiful capture and beautiful words! Thanks for sharing, Laura. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sylvia
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ReginaMarch 17, 2011 at 2:48 PM
Lovely one! Great post for Japan.
Happy sky watching.
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EG WowMarch 17, 2011 at 2:57 PM
I am also feeling smaller these days. Lovely words.
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AlMarch 17, 2011 at 2:59 PM
That is a peaceful image. Great capture!
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LizMarch 17, 2011 at 3:01 PM
Gorgeous bird!

Have a terrific weekend.

Liz @ A Simple Life
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Irene CortezMarch 17, 2011 at 3:04 PM
beautiful post, Laura! for me, this sends a message of hope amidst devastation.

your posts never fail to inspire me. God bless! :-)
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JoyfulMarch 17, 2011 at 3:16 PM
Very creative and beautiful post.
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Yogi♪♪♪March 17, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Great peaceful post to remind us to keep ourselves centered.

What a great thing the internet is (or can be more accurately) where retreats can be shared. I love the concept.

I knew that my corner of the internet was a peaceful kind place and that place got enlarged just a little today.
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nonizamboniMarch 17, 2011 at 3:44 PM
You've captured the bigger essence in this lovely creature.
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LynnMarch 17, 2011 at 3:46 PM
I'm sure the whole world could use a peaceful retreat this weekend. I wish everyone would put down their guns and bombs; that the earth would stay calm; and everyone would be alive, well and peaceful.
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SpiderdamaMarch 17, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Wonderful! This singing is the hope for spring. And we must pray for Japan!
Wish you a blessed weekend Laura, hugs from Tania
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sito saguidMarch 17, 2011 at 5:11 PM
lots of our brethren in japan will take long to see a bird like this again in a happy light. yes, we must commune with them in spirit, for them to find strength and fortitude in these difficult times ...
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clairzMarch 17, 2011 at 5:42 PM
Inner peace, contemplation, and prayer. Sometimes those are all we can do until we figure out the next thing. Bless you, Laura.
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Debra WMarch 17, 2011 at 5:52 PM
You are on my mind and in my heart.

Love and hugs,
Deb
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Kati patrianoceuMarch 17, 2011 at 6:02 PM
I know that feeling, of the events in the world around me making me feel so so small. I think that's a good type of humble.

What a creative idea: a stay-at-home retreat!
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Kim, USAMarch 17, 2011 at 6:11 PM
Great capture!! Happy weekend!
Sky Watch Friday
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KBMarch 17, 2011 at 6:34 PM
Beautiful words and picture.
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eileeninmdMarch 17, 2011 at 6:41 PM
What a lovely verse and I love the photo. Beautiful skywatch! Have a great weekend!
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the wild magnoliaMarch 17, 2011 at 7:10 PM
Feeling quiet and contemplative with my life of "plenty" (which is a relative term, I realize), and the many issues the Japanese are facing every moment.

Thank you for sharing.
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Hildred and CharlesMarch 17, 2011 at 7:23 PM
A beautiful and compassionate posting.
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sublime wandererMarch 17, 2011 at 7:39 PM
Thank you for visiting my blog. What kind of bird is this? =)
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WandaMarch 17, 2011 at 7:43 PM
We truly can learn a lesson from that tiny bird...We come from a different spiritual outlook, but this little bird can speak to all of us... His eye is on the Sparrow and I know He watches me.

What a lovely shot from your window.
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CarverMarch 17, 2011 at 8:07 PM
Beautiful words and shot. I love have downy the birds feathers look.
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JoybirdMarch 17, 2011 at 8:58 PM
I love the fluffiness of the bird's feathers. And when I feel small, I curl up in the arms of God who is big over all, by praying.
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Míriam LuizaMarch 17, 2011 at 9:40 PM
A imagem é de completa paz! A vida continua. SÓ nos resta pedir que Deus proteja aqueles que sobreviveram a esta tragédia! Obrigada pela sua visita!
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KalaMarch 17, 2011 at 10:23 PM
Sweet capture! ♥
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Modern MomMarch 17, 2011 at 10:31 PM
How cute!

My entry.
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Martha ZMarch 17, 2011 at 11:08 PM
A very moving, heartfelt post, Laura, thank you and Shalom.
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Celestial DreamzMarch 18, 2011 at 2:03 AM
beautiful verse.
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Jidhu JoseMarch 18, 2011 at 2:52 AM
nice
happy SWF

My Skywatch Friday
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IreneMarch 18, 2011 at 4:01 AM
Lovely image ... I wish you a peaceful weekend!
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DulceMarch 18, 2011 at 6:08 AM
Your words are moving and so is the picture of that bird... sometimes relaxing after such disasters just makes me cry out all the tears I hold because of my impotence and fake strength...

Thanks Laura dear for this beautiful post. It means a lot to me...

LEt's pray for Japan.
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ZuzanaMarch 18, 2011 at 7:53 AM
Beautiful and solemn sentiment dear Laura, through and through...
Have a lovely weekend,
xoxo
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LVMarch 18, 2011 at 9:58 AM
How wonderful it is to find such beauty and peace from this sight, during all the the terrible tragedy. Take care.
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LoriMarch 18, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Beautiful...your ability to quiet me within with your words or photo's is amazing...thank you for being you...thank you for thinking of me and not forgetting me...I have missed you so...missed your words...I am hoping to have the moment to just soak in your words without distractions...I love you my friend. XX
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emily wierengaMarch 18, 2011 at 1:34 PM
i LOVE how you prayed when you felt smaller, laura... how God became bigger to you in that moment. you are beautiful.
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Cathy KMarch 18, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Eloquent.
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Diane AZMarch 18, 2011 at 1:53 PM
Lovely bird and verse, very thoughtful post, Laura.
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Miss BeckyMarch 18, 2011 at 3:40 PM
your beauty is astounding.
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Mama ZenMarch 18, 2011 at 7:54 PM
Beautifully done.
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SandyCarlsonMarch 18, 2011 at 11:30 PM
Very, very beautiful!
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trailsofthepenMarch 19, 2011 at 1:27 AM
He looks unperturbed by the growing concerns that has assaulted us from the past week.
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trailsofthepenMarch 19, 2011 at 1:36 AM
PS. Thanks for the follow. I followed back . ☺
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Debra WMarch 19, 2011 at 1:50 AM
Just wanted to share with you that I am having lunch tomorrow with Kathy Botsford in Laguna Beach! I know that the two of you know each other, as well, so I thought I would share this with you. How I wish you could join us, too!

Much love and healing prayers,
Deb
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AnonymousMarch 19, 2011 at 6:53 AM
Sometimes knowing that life goes on, unaware, is the hardest part of any tragedy to accept. It's great comfort to find peace in nature, even when she has turned on us elsewhere.
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AMYMarch 19, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Gorgeous picture!
Peaceful!
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deb colarossiMarch 19, 2011 at 6:11 PM
I knew that you would post about this with perfection!!

love to you.
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Bright Sparks:

Remnants

Before the eMeS, my now constant companion begged me to stay close to home, I taught art, yoga and meditation to Jewish teens in the Greater Boston area. The collage series in the slide show above was created using forgotten paper scraps that slipped between the cracks of the tables onto the floor, from an Art as a Sacred Practice class I taught to High School students several years ago. My intention was to find the intrinsic value in each remnant. Often the beauty of an individual person goes unrecognized or unappreciated until it is revealed in the context of a relationship; the same is true of colors, shapes and textures. Click on the images to take a closer look. They are tiny works, some no bigger than 1.5” x 1.5”