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Creativity IS a Spiritual Practice

When we see through our hearts, we recognize that every single one of us is infused with creativity. Divine Sparks are embedded in everyone and everything. It's up to us to be courageous, to look and listen deeply, to find the sparks, gather and release them back into the universe, transformed into something new. Join me as we wake up to the sacred-ordinary blessings waiting to greet us each and every day.

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Thursday, September 22, 2011

Gathering Light I


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. 
While on the one hand you could say this is a time for looking into our shadows, I think it is fair to say that it is also a time for gathering light, a time for opening to gratitude. For the next seven days until Rosh Hashanah begins, I’ll be sharing light infused images on my blog, a contemplative offering for us all.

May we, you and I and all beings be blessed with lovingkindness, compassion, safety, healing, strength, peace, sweetness and light.


linking to:

Skywatch Friday

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.

A special thank you to Hilary for choosing this post as a POTW (post of the week)...what a lovely surprise:-)
at 9:00 AM
Labels: , , ,
Posted by Laura

45 comments:

  1. Debra She Who SeeksSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    "Light infused" -- beautiful expression and beautiful concept! Love that last photo in particular.

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  2. Peace Be With YouSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Thank you for gathering light and bringing into my life.
    Judy

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  3. DebbieSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    this is beautiful laura....the verse, the blue sky and the light so perfect.

    no hurt here, and i pray no hurt for you.....just big smiles for this beautiful post.

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  4. ThinkingSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    hmmm....

    May we, you and I and all beings be blessed with lovingkindness, compassion, safety, healing, strength, peace, sweetness and light.

    Ameen.

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  5. KarenSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    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.

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  6. beckySeptember 22, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    So appropriate for the autumnal season as we move toward the days of longer nights...

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  7. JohnSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Wonderful photographs and philosophy Laura, thank you for sharing.

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  8. CathySeptember 22, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Light infused - I'll cherish like a precious secret through the coming darkness...

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    So gorgeous - that rose is a chalice of light!

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  10. LeslieSeptember 22, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    i 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:

    "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.

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  11. neora chanaSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Hi, Laura,

    I 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....

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  12. LeanneSeptember 22, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    beautiful blue skies.

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  13. LizSeptember 22, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    Interesting shots. I love the last one. Happy sky watching.

    Liz @ A Simple Life

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  14. CarverSeptember 22, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Wonderful words and beautiful photographs. I love the winding branches against the blue in the first shot.

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  15. Pearl MapleSeptember 22, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Beautiful post, thanks for sharing the light in many different ways

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  16. clairzSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Hi, Laura. I was struck by the phrase "what we fervently want to be"--so well put. Happy fall days to you.

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  17. Sylvia KSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    Beautiful, perfect post and words for the day, Laura! I do hope you have a lovely weekend!

    Sylvia

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  18. Leckeres für Mensch und Katze - Goodies for a pleasant lifeSeptember 22, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Great shots. Most I like the first :)

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  19. Kim, USASeptember 22, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    The last photo just remind me that what ever it takes we are always beautiful in the eyes of God. Happy weekend Laura!

    Peach Sky

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  20. KelSeptember 22, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    light infused images
    lovely
    looking forward to the reveal
    :)

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  21. eileeninmdSeptember 22, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Lovely post and words. Your photos are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing, have a great weekend.

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  22. mermaidSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    How do you manage to take such divine pictures AND find hearts everywhere?????????????????????

    I 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!

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  23. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Thank you for this loving and
    beautiful 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.

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  24. SaunSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Love the first shot nice job...

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  25. CarlettaSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Yes, gather light and in turn let our light shine.
    Lovely images of beautiful light!

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  26. jeanneSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    this light illuminates the heart... thank you*

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  27. AnyesSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Very beautiful and so inspiring :-)

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  28. ♥~Judy~♥September 23, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Hilary made a good choice. This is an awesome post. God bless!

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  29. Hildred and CharlesSeptember 23, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    A very mindful post, Laura. Beautiful words, - beautiful shots. Thank you.

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  30. EbieSeptember 23, 2011 at 2:55 AM

    Gather light and let it shine through.

    Love the curly leaves!

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  31. edenSeptember 23, 2011 at 5:52 AM

    Beautiful photos and words, Laura.

    Have a blessed weekend.

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  32. Donna Iona DrozdaSeptember 23, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Your reflections: such a gift to us all.

    Your 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.

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  33. Seraphina´s PhantasieSeptember 23, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Wonderful photos and thank you very much for your words to the quality of this time. Have a nice weekend !

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  34. SivindenSeptember 23, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Beautiful photos! - what a lovely, blue sky.

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  35. BrandNewStudioSeptember 23, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    It’s always a pleasure
    to see such a Wonderful Pictures
    good creations

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  36. DesireeSeptember 23, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    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

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  37. Tatjana ParkachevaSeptember 23, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    Beautiful post and photos.

    Greetings and best wishes

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  38. bettylSeptember 23, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Lovely shots of light! You captured them wonderfully.

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  39. MyMaracasSeptember 23, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    Gathering light - a lovely image, both mentally and in your photos. Be blessed, and be well.

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  40. emily wierengaSeptember 23, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    a time for gathering light...

    i love this. i love the idea of gathering it up, harvesting it, to use in the long dark winter months....

    you shine, friend.

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  41. IndraniSeptember 23, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Lovely pictures, The first one held my attention for quite some time.

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  42. RajeshSeptember 24, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    Wonderful shots against the pristine blue sky.

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  43. ExplorermindedSeptember 24, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    such a beauty...thanks for dropping by!

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  44. Deb ShuckaSeptember 25, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Not sure what prompted your apology, but from where I sit, you have nothing to apologize for. Ever.

    Love the images, all of them from here to the present post. Love the feelings they evoke, too.

    Love you.

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  45. Rose - The Center of My SelfSeptember 25, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    "... 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.
    Your 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.

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