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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Gratitude For Sacred Moments Of Awareness


In any moment gratitude is possible.



Most certainly in exquisite places where vibrant wild flowers adorn a mountainside, or the seemingly endless sky is blanketed with downy clouds. Of course we feel gratitude in glorious spaces and comforting circumstances.


And yet, a simple, desiccated moth wing blown across the pavement can serve as a reminder that there is beauty in the fragile remnants left behind; an invitation to recognize that brokenness is a blessing all it’s own, opening our hearts to deeper understanding and acceptance of the wholeness of life, just as it is.


Yes, noticing a tiny, patterned moth wing, drying in the sun is an opportunity to express our gratitude for sacred moments of awareness, no matter how, when or where we find them.


linking to my friends @
Skywatch Friday


Our daughter is still going through the program at the PPRC, though we will be home for the long weekend. This has been a challenging time for the whole family in different ways. While I cannot speak for the rest of the family, I am grateful for the healing and growth I see in all of us through this experience.

Thank you everyone for visiting my blog, leaving kind, supportive comments, and for the many emails too. I hope that once we are through this I will be able to be in a "normalized" routine at home so I can start visiting blogs and replying to email more regularly again.

gentle steps,
Laura

at 9:00 AM
Labels: , ,
Posted by Laura

45 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    I adore your small moments of thankfulness -they are so beautiful!

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  2. Arnab MajumdarSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Beauty is a fragile thing, and we must take care of it and nurture it. Otherwise, that little broken moth wing is just going to get trampled under our feet, and forgotten by the world...

    Hope your daughter feels better. The best of luck to her :)

    Cheers,
    Arnab Majumdar on SribbleFest.com

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  3. HeavenSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Beautiful moments of gratitude ~

    Thank you for sharing them.

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  4. DimpleSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Your wildflower is fireweed. It grows most profusely in areas which have been burned, and I think it fits perfectly with your post. Fire burns, cleanses, purifies, and brings forth beauty and renewed vigor. Trials also, if we let them, cleanse and purify, bringing forth beauty and strength.

    May God bring your daughter and your whole family through this trial, and may each of you be stronger because of it.

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  5. Sherry Blue SkySeptember 1, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    So lovely, and so true......

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  6. happygirlSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    I admire your gratitude in the face of trouble. Bless you.

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  7. the wild magnoliaSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Beautiful photos and thoughtful words.

    You all remain in my thoughts and prayers.

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  8. JohnSeptember 1, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    Beautiful in every way and oh so true.

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  9. CarverSeptember 1, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    These are all gorgeous shots.

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  10. LizSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    I love your photos. Happy sky watching.

    Liz @ A Simple Life

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  11. DesireeSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Such inspiring words, Laura. I honestly don't know how you always manage to put a positive spin on everything, with all that is happening in your life right now. I can imagine how exhausting and draining those long days at the treatment centre will have been. I am quite sure that, even though I am largely a positive person myself, I'd be collapsing in an exhausted heap at the end of each day...yet, you still make time to notice the little gifts that life scatters along the stony pathways and to offer uplifting thoughts to the world. Yes, you are truly amazing!!!

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  12. Pearl MapleSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    gratitude for beauty is a wonderful thing, thanks for taking the time to remind us of the beauty nature surrounds us with

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  13. JudySeptember 1, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    I love that first shot - the intensity of the blue in the sky, and the flowers!! Good capture of the moth wing!! I look for feathers...

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  14. nonizamboniSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    So much beauty to be grateful for and to share--why I love visiting your blog every week.
    Take.good.care.

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  15. Kim, USASeptember 1, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Love your photos Laura. And gratitude should never be forgotten.

    My Sunset

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  16. VALKYRIENSeptember 1, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Love the shots of the lovely flower against that blue sky! The same flowers in Norway are alle gone now!

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  17. Ed PilollaSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    thank you for a lovely walk through such pretty landscapes. gratitude is a challenge and a gift, and i hear your reminder.
    love and light to you and your family.

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  18. jeannetteSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    The small beautiful things like these flowers ARE something for us to enjoy and be thankful of:) How are you? Jesh from FB

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  19. Jidhu JoseSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    nice shots
    happy SWF

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  20. Jidhu JoseSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    nice shots
    happy SWF

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  21. Red Nomad OZSeptember 1, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Love how you've captured the insignificant coming into focus against the vast - great atmosphere!

    Have a great weekend!

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  22. Misty DawnSeptember 1, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Those flowers are absolutely beautiful!

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  23. OlgaSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Thank you for the beautiful post! I wish you and your family all the best!

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  24. From The HeartSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Beautiful photos and even more beautiful words!
    Thank you,
    Shirley

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  25. Pieces of SunshineSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Love the third photo. It's strange how the big things in life (hurts, struggles, dramas) can help us focus on the small, everyday blessings in a fresh way.

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  26. OwlfarmerSeptember 1, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    I'm a sucker for flower shots against the sky, but I especially love the progression from closeness to distance.

    I hope things get better soon. The trials we face usually make us stronger and more aware of gifts, but it's never easy in the midst of the experience. Shabbat Shalom.

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  27. Anne Huskey-LockardSeptember 1, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Laura, your post has brought peace to a hectic and difficult day.
    Words, photos, the beauty of the small.....
    Thank you.

    XXOO~~♥
    Anne

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  28. SandyCarlsonSeptember 1, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Ah, you inspire me to pieces. Your struggles would destroy me. God bless your heart.

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  29. KarineSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    The photos you chose for this post are lovely, Laura :o)

    Enjoy your weekend at home with your family :o)

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  30. IndraniSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    These are gorgeous captures against the bright blue sky.

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  31. ArijaSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Those little things that show us our connectedness to All Tat Is are a treat in themselves.
    I did not realise your daughter had problems, we at present are also enveloping our granddaughter in white light as she has scoliosis with a twist and is restrained in a solid body armour from knee to neck.
    Pain is difficult to live with on a long term basis. I do hope something really good comes from the treatment programme.

    How are you yourself managing? I still keeo you licked in my prayers.

    Those wildflowers and mountains take me back to much loved places. Thanks.

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  32. emily wierengaSeptember 1, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    oh friend... the image of that moth wing... so perfect. so powerful. so God.

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  33. Rose - The Center of My SelfSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    "...an opportunity to express our gratitude for sacred moments of awareness..." Seeing the sacred in everything and expressing gratitude for all that is. May you and yours be happy in each sacred moment.

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  34. chubskulitSeptember 2, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    Gorgeous captures!

    Sky Writers, have a good weekend.

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  35. Tatjana ParkachevaSeptember 2, 2011 at 2:37 AM

    Beautiful photos and words Laura.

    Greetings and best wishes for you and your family

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  36. JoyfulSeptember 2, 2011 at 4:37 AM

    Simple and beautiful.

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  37. RietSeptember 2, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    What a beautiful post and and a beautiful blog. Love your photo's

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  38. SadeeSeptember 2, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Beautiful! Praying peace and comfort for your family during this challenging time.

    --Sadee @ www.aPicturebookLife.blogspot.com

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  39. ElenaSeptember 2, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    I've been away from reading for a bit and just caught up with what's happening. You are truly a wonderful and strong woman who continues finding beauty among all you're going through. I pray for you and your daughter that you receive what is in your best interest.

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  40. SharonSeptember 2, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    Two weeks ago my son noticed that a butterfly was "resting" on the glass in the door to our kitchen. Today I noticed a butterfly in the same place. If he hadn't mentioned it earlier, I might not have noticed. Once we are aware, it's hard not to be.

    May the weekend be a time to rest and restore ~

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  41. LeslieSeptember 2, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    i just wrote a poem (not published, yet) on a very similar topic, inspired by the fragility of tattered butterfly wings... i've been catching up here, relating, as usual, to many of your soul's struggles and triumphs, as you live with the daily challenges that your body and that life brings to you. may you continue to have grace for each day. may you be enfolded in the love of God. may you be drawn into a close communion with Him through all the experiences of your existence.

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  42. AnetteSeptember 2, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Lovely photos :)

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  43. forgetmenotSeptember 2, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    Lovely, lovely photos and beautiful words--a point well worth making too. How grateful we all should be--so many blessings in all our lives. Have a wonderful weekend. Mickie :)

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  44. MargaretSeptember 3, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    "And yet, a simple, desiccated moth wing blown across the pavement can serve as a reminder that there is beauty in the fragile remnants left behind; an invitation to recognize that brokenness is a blessing all it’s own, opening our hearts to deeper understanding and acceptance of the wholeness of life, just as it is."

    Wow... that is just beautiful, really. That is a poem, you know? Thank you.

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  45. Rebecca DolkartOctober 16, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    What a beautiful prayer. I was praying for you and your family on Yom Kippur. It is incredible how you connect the intricacies of life into the details of your art and writing. May G-d bless you and your family, Love, Becky

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