Shine the Divine:

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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Sunday, April 15, 2012

Stronger Than You Know






tender blossoms grow
born of scarred weathered branches
tissue paper thin
love whispers through each petal
you are stronger than you know



Chesed she b'Gevurah - Love within Strength



Today Rabbi Yael shares this portion of Psalm 8:5-6 as encouragement on day eight of our spiritual journey toward Sinai as we count the Omer.


“What is it to be a human being-- so vulnerable, so fragile and at the same time only slightly less than gods, strong and powerful, crowned with splendor?”


Every day offers its own life lesson; today I understand this as strength in fragility. Patience, compassion, lovingkindness, acceptance for how my body is able to function moment by moment, releasing expectations "If I could do such and such yesterday, today I should be able to________." With MS this just isn't so. And in truth the same applies to everyone. MS does not make me special. Learning to live companionably or at least with some equanimity with whatever comes our way allows us to find our strength in fragility, to love life simply as it is. For we are all fragile beings and I believe we are all far stronger than we know. (Or think we know.)

studio waterstone

Macro Flowers Saturday badge 4


and then, she {snapped}


visit The Imaginary Garden


at 6:00 AM
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Posted by Laura

56 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 15, 2012 at 8:19 AM

    So true and compelling. Although it appears paradoxical - there is great strength and power in fragility and vulnerability. Sometimes we can be most effective when we feel inadequate and weak. Maybe it's because we don't have the energy to maintain the masquerade and we simply let the 'true us' shine through? Your post really touched me. Thank you so much.

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  2. dulce ♥April 15, 2012 at 11:50 AM

    Today not only should you be able to... You are able and it is such a sweet welcoming peace to see you and your creations an recreations...

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  3. Sherry Blue SkyApril 15, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    Yes, we all are stronger than we know. Learning to be present in the moment and happy with What Is, Now, is the secret of a happy life. Beautiful, Laura. Positive and inspiring, as always.

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  4. AndrewApril 15, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    Beautiful images..

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  5. StephanieApril 15, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    Such a beautiful post...and good reminder to each and every day, live fully.

    light and love to you
    x..x

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  6. ShelApril 15, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    Beautiful message to go along with your absolutely beautiful and stunning photography! Thank you for sharing.

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  7. MaiaApril 15, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    Beautiful.

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  8. Myrna R.April 15, 2012 at 3:06 PM

    Those beautiful flowers reminded me of a bride for some reason.
    And your words, well, they remind me how to live.

    Thank you Laura.

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  9. TheChieftessApril 15, 2012 at 3:17 PM

    That top shot is superb!!! The placement of the flower in the composition..the negative space of the beautiful blue sky...the clarity of the macro flower...lovely!!!

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  10. KarenApril 15, 2012 at 3:57 PM

    I like the diffused light Laura, and that last shot is a stunner!

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  11. CarverApril 15, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    Beautiful flowers and uplifting post.

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  12. Brian MillerApril 15, 2012 at 5:03 PM

    smiles...def uplifting and a great message...strong than you know...smiles.

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  13. CarlettaApril 15, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    Beautiful shots and lovely poetic words!

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  14. MaryApril 15, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    I definitely like to think about "You are stronger than you know." It would be a good sign to have on one's bathroom mirror to start the day with. Thank you for those words.

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  15. AnonymousApril 15, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    loveliness! yes we each are delicate petals yet
    strong survivors.

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  16. ShoshanaApril 15, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    Lovely collection.Rabbi Yael's Torah portion is very good , too.

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  17. heyBJKApril 15, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    Beautiful shots, Laura!

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  18. the wild magnoliaApril 15, 2012 at 7:53 PM

    a touch of spring wrapped around a metaphor.

    bliss twins....

    thank you.

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  19. Poetic ShutterbugApril 15, 2012 at 8:04 PM

    Stunning shots with words that inspire and simply mesmerize. Beautiful post.

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  20. lisaApril 15, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    A wonderful post, and such beautiful photographs!

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  21. ArtMuseDog and CarolApril 15, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Fantastic macro shots of beautiful flowers ~ 'love the quote' ~ there is a book ~ 'Strong in the Broken Places' ~ another good metaphor ~ thanks, namaste, ^_^

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  22. Adura OjoApril 15, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    Beautiful images, philosophical too.

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  23. Adura OjoApril 15, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Beautifully said. Love the images.

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  24. HeavenApril 15, 2012 at 9:56 PM

    Beautiful pictures and words ~

    Cheers ~

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  25. LuiApril 15, 2012 at 10:36 PM

    Laura, your flower shots are truly divine!

    As to your Q: 'what is it to be a human being?'... is a world of physical comfort and pain. But we are not only human. We are all spirit too. And in our spiritual wholeness we link to the divine and each other where there is no physical concerns. Just a thought.

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  26. Helen CampbellApril 16, 2012 at 12:21 AM

    Your prose touches my heart. Just what I needed to hear today. Blessings to you.

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  27. RandiApril 16, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    Terrific captures of the beautiful spring flowers!

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  28. JeanneApril 16, 2012 at 1:26 AM

    Laura,

    Gorgeous photos as always! I too believe that we are all far stronger than we know. :)

    Jeanne

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  29. Herding CatsApril 16, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    Beautiful!

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  30. TracyApril 16, 2012 at 7:03 AM

    Such grace and courage, Laura... this shines! And when all else seems wobbly, our minds can always be our source of strength. :o) ((HUGS))

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  31. DaydreamertooApril 16, 2012 at 7:36 AM

    Yes, we are each so much stronger than we know. Thank goodness.
    This was a lovely, gentle read.

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  32. Tracey from ⓽April 16, 2012 at 7:49 AM

    A message I needed to hear today. Thank you!

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  33. FireblossomApril 16, 2012 at 8:04 AM

    What a marvelous post to start the day with.

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  34. Nancy ClaeysApril 16, 2012 at 9:12 AM

    inspiring spring blooms, Laura. :)

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  35. lina@womenApril 16, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    Very meaningful words, Laura. Thanks for this.

    Enjoying your flower shots as well.

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  36. Libby RodriguezApril 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    What a wonderful message to combine with the macros of the blossoms!! Thanks for sharing the message. :)

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  37. Kim NelsonApril 16, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    Your touching verse shares the lesson I learned through challenge. I am much stronger than anyone, least of all myself, would have imagined. It is good to learn that.
    And your photos bring me a sense of peace and calm. Thank you for that. I was in need this morning! ;-)

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  38. DesireeApril 16, 2012 at 12:25 PM

    So beautiful!

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  39. VictoriaApril 16, 2012 at 1:20 PM

    This was such a beautiful faith-break, Laura. May our week be blessed by the balance of the middle pillar...I needed to remember this, today. Wonderful photography, too.

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  40. LoisApril 16, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    That is so true, Laura. I took photos of blossoms over the weekend as well, they are so fleeting.

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  41. Laurie KolpApril 16, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    Ahh, Laura... this is a beautiful metaphor. I love the pics, too.

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  42. KarineApril 16, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    I love the poem you wrote to go with the flowers. They are words I truly needed to hear. Thank you :o)

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  43. Nancy ClaeysApril 16, 2012 at 4:54 PM

    So very pretty Laura and your poem is lovely. Thank you for sharing at Your Sunday Best this week. :)

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  44. Self SagacityApril 16, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    love it. the colors and the flower.

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  45. DebbieApril 16, 2012 at 9:57 PM

    lovely blooms laura....you never know how strong you are, till being strong is your only choice!!

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  46. SemaphoreApril 16, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    I've come to love the amazing pictures you put up to illustrate your poems. Invariably, they provide an exquisite backdrop to the words.

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  47. Seraphina´s PhantasieApril 17, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    Wonderful photos from this little blossoms. So beautiful !
    Kind regards, Synnöve

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  48. ☆•.¸.Mildred.¸.•☆April 17, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Such lovely blooms and words!
    Thanks for sharing, Laura;o)

    ***
    Hope you are having a very nice week****

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  49. teriApril 17, 2012 at 12:16 PM

    Incredible images... with heartfelt words. Sorry I have been out of touch...xo teri

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  50. LeslieApril 17, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    so lovely, laura. i'm sorry i've not been visiting as much...my daughter is graduating from college this may so i haven't been blogging as much. you are often in my thoughts and prayers, though...

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  51. MargaretApril 17, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    tissue paper ... such gentle beauty from gnarled branches... just a lovely poem (and photos)

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  52. HannahApril 17, 2012 at 6:32 PM

    Your closing two lines, Laura, are especially touching, thank you!

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  53. AnonymousApril 18, 2012 at 9:00 AM

    Just beautiful and so inspiring!

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  54. darlaApril 18, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    pretty flowers and lovely words...

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  55. rachelApril 18, 2012 at 11:51 PM

    so pretty. I really love the fourth the best. fabulous!

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  56. hyperCRYPTICalApril 19, 2012 at 5:18 AM

    Beautiful, beautiful post!

    Anna :o]

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