The month of Elul leading towards the Yomim Noraim, the Days of Awe in the Jewish calendar, is a time for inner reflection, for seeing deeply who we have been, who we are, who we fervently want to be, as one year turns and a new one begins. T'shuva, means turning; turning the light of awareness towards our own hearts, towards others as we ask for forgiveness and commit to change and healing the brokenness in our relationships. We re-turn our devotion again and again to the Compassionate One of Blessing. We ask the Source of All Being for forgiveness and the strength of character to be better humans, to forgive others wholeheartedly as well as ourselves for our failings, real or imagined.
May we, you and I and all beings be blessed with lovingkindness, compassion, safety, healing, strength, peace, sweetness and light.
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I just want to say publicly here on my blog that if I have hurt or offended any of you, my readers, my friends, my family, I am deeply sorry. I have not been very good at staying in touch please forgive me. Like you, I am human, I make mistakes, I am tired, still, I will try to do better. Your kindness, love and support means so much to me.
"Light infused" -- beautiful expression and beautiful concept! Love that last photo in particular.
ReplyDeleteThank you for gathering light and bringing into my life.
ReplyDeleteJudy
this is beautiful laura....the verse, the blue sky and the light so perfect.
ReplyDeleteno hurt here, and i pray no hurt for you.....just big smiles for this beautiful post.
hmmm....
ReplyDeleteMay we, you and I and all beings be blessed with lovingkindness, compassion, safety, healing, strength, peace, sweetness and light.
Ameen.
Beautiful images Laura. Gathering light, what a wonderful sentiment. Gathering, reflecting and keeping some, for any dark days that we may encounter in the future.
ReplyDeleteSo appropriate for the autumnal season as we move toward the days of longer nights...
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs and philosophy Laura, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLight infused - I'll cherish like a precious secret through the coming darkness...
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous - that rose is a chalice of light!
ReplyDeletei wish you peace, dear laura, within and without. i wish you mercy. i wish you love. there is no need to worry. i love the psalmists prayer in psalm 143:
ReplyDelete"O Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
Do not bring your servant into judgement,
for no one living is righteous before You."
He alone is righteous. I'm so glad for His mercy, and His willingness to be Righteousness for us, if we let Him.
Thank you for looking for the light, and sharing it with us in this place. I pray you will always and ever be looking, and that your search will lead you home.
Hi, Laura,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing this post about Elul and Yamim Nora'im. I've started a blog 'neorasgraciouslight' for my artwork and have been exploring/preparing through my artwork. Pop over if you would like to see it....
beautiful blue skies.
ReplyDeleteInteresting shots. I love the last one. Happy sky watching.
ReplyDeleteLiz @ A Simple Life
Wonderful words and beautiful photographs. I love the winding branches against the blue in the first shot.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, thanks for sharing the light in many different ways
ReplyDeleteHi, Laura. I was struck by the phrase "what we fervently want to be"--so well put. Happy fall days to you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, perfect post and words for the day, Laura! I do hope you have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Great shots. Most I like the first :)
ReplyDeleteThe last photo just remind me that what ever it takes we are always beautiful in the eyes of God. Happy weekend Laura!
ReplyDeletePeach Sky
light infused images
ReplyDeletelovely
looking forward to the reveal
:)
Lovely post and words. Your photos are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing, have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHow do you manage to take such divine pictures AND find hearts everywhere?????????????????????
ReplyDeleteI would like to help others realize how much self-judgments have tarnished their beauty, and how they, how all beings have the divine right to shine!
Thank you for this loving and
ReplyDeletebeautiful piece. Also thank you
for explaining Rosh H. to me in
a absorbing and workable way.
I will do my best to honor this
time.
Love the first shot nice job...
ReplyDeleteYes, gather light and in turn let our light shine.
ReplyDeleteLovely images of beautiful light!
this light illuminates the heart... thank you*
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful and so inspiring :-)
ReplyDeleteHilary made a good choice. This is an awesome post. God bless!
ReplyDeleteA very mindful post, Laura. Beautiful words, - beautiful shots. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGather light and let it shine through.
ReplyDeleteLove the curly leaves!
Beautiful photos and words, Laura.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend.
Your reflections: such a gift to us all.
ReplyDeleteYour willingness to make ammends at this quieting time of the year:a universal bow and hug simultaneously
...your glowing imagery...radiant like your spirit shared.
Wonderful photos and thank you very much for your words to the quality of this time. Have a nice weekend !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! - what a lovely, blue sky.
ReplyDeleteIt’s always a pleasure
ReplyDeleteto see such a Wonderful Pictures
good creations
If anyone has taken offence, it is their problem, Laura, not yours! You would never intentionally neglect or hurt anyone and those who do not have compassion for what you are dealing with daily, hourly, in your own life, really ought to look a lot harder at themselves.This is a beautiful post, as all of your posts are! I find you an astounding human being, so full of love and no matter what is going on in your day, you unfailingly reach out to everyone else! You need to allow yourself some time to be a little selfish, too, OK??? It is not your job to heal the world. We are each responsible for our own healing :) Big hug xoxo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and photos.
ReplyDeleteGreetings and best wishes
Lovely shots of light! You captured them wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteGathering light - a lovely image, both mentally and in your photos. Be blessed, and be well.
ReplyDeletea time for gathering light...
ReplyDeletei love this. i love the idea of gathering it up, harvesting it, to use in the long dark winter months....
you shine, friend.
Lovely pictures, The first one held my attention for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots against the pristine blue sky.
ReplyDeletesuch a beauty...thanks for dropping by!
ReplyDeleteNot sure what prompted your apology, but from where I sit, you have nothing to apologize for. Ever.
ReplyDeleteLove the images, all of them from here to the present post. Love the feelings they evoke, too.
Love you.
"... a time for inner reflection, for seeing deeply who we have been, who we are, who we fervently want to be..." and "a time for opening to gratitude." Aren't they beautifully intertwined? When we see all that we are, have been and will be, the heart fills with the abundance of all, and opens with gratitude.
ReplyDeleteYour wisdom and knowingness AND your clear-eyed expression and sharing are such cherished gifts to me in this world. So glad we get to share this part of our journeys. So filled with gratitude.