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.

Translate

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Wonder-Filled Life


everything’s changing
look out and up down and see
this wonder-filled life




equanimity
one frond living and dying
both/and always so
Today is Shemini Atzeret, a time when God asks us to stay close, to linger. Tomorrow, Simchat Torah, we will roll out the whole Torah, read the last letter and the first, lamed-vet... togther they spell lev, heart. Every ending is a beginning, love is eternal, and the memories of those who have passed on and those to be born linger and awaken us to the sorrows and joys that fill our brief stay on this earth. Anne Lockard, a friend, fellow blogger and grace-filled soul passed on this morning, her memory will always be a blessing. I am a better person because she touched my heart, because we talked openly about death, about life, about Mystery, about kindness, about the things that mattered most the few times we spoke on the phone and through many, many emails. Anne was one of the first women to write to me and say YES I want to be part of The Healing Womb, and Anne, you always will be. Thank you dear heart for your friendship, your inspiration, your courage. You are and have always been a shining star.



linking to:
skywatch friday
haiku my heart
Don't forget to share the love up close with I Heart Macro, the linky opens @ 8pm EST Saturday evening. 

Shine the Divine



at 12:00 PM
Labels: ,
Posted by Laura

57 comments:

  1. Tammie LeeSeptember 26, 2013 at 4:20 PM

    your photos are quite lovely Laura!

    ReplyDelete
  2. SteffiSeptember 26, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    Great photos for SWF and very interesting post to read,Laura!Have a nice weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RantenSeptember 26, 2013 at 5:06 PM

    Beautiful pictures of a lovely season!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Photo CacheSeptember 26, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    your photos are stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  5. eileeninmdSeptember 26, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    Laura, these are beautiful images! The sky and leaves are both looking lovely. Sorry about your friend passing, my prayers go out to her family!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AlSeptember 26, 2013 at 6:01 PM

    What beautiful photos. And I learned something new about the Torah today.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentSeptember 26, 2013 at 6:39 PM

    Beautiful thoughts. Your last two photos are delightful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousSeptember 26, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    Beautiful blue, blue sky shots for SWF ~ carol ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lisa GordonSeptember 26, 2013 at 7:44 PM

    Beautifully simple, and simply beautiful, Laura!

    ReplyDelete
  10. JimSeptember 26, 2013 at 8:39 PM

    Great leaf colours.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yogi♪♪♪September 26, 2013 at 9:31 PM

    What a great tribute to your friend.

    ReplyDelete
  12. CarverSeptember 26, 2013 at 10:06 PM

    I love the colorful leaves against the blue sky.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sherry Blue SkySeptember 26, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    The heavens will have more light tonight because your friend is there. Beautiful, Laura.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Myrna R.September 26, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    I imagine Anne enjoying your beautiful photos and the lovely words you write as tribute. My condolences dear Laura.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousSeptember 26, 2013 at 11:19 PM

    Fabulous shots - you've really caught the beauty of the new season.

    ReplyDelete
  16. CarlettaSeptember 26, 2013 at 11:48 PM

    Those leaves against that blue are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownSeptember 27, 2013 at 2:23 AM

    Beautiful autumn leaves. Enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Magical Mystical TeacherSeptember 27, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    Love your images of autumn's arrival!

    Rusting Powder Can

    ReplyDelete
  19. somepinkflowersSeptember 27, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    {{ changing changing changing = Life,
    yes ?

    wonderful heart*felt tribute to your friend.
    yes
    fortunate you
    to have known her ... }}

    ReplyDelete
  20. Reading PleasureSeptember 27, 2013 at 10:42 AM

    My deep sympathies and condolences on the death of your dear friend. may she find eternal rest.

    Lovely post, nonetheless.

    ReplyDelete
  21. KarenSeptember 27, 2013 at 10:49 AM

    Love that beatiful blue sky Laura!

    ReplyDelete
  22. StephanieSeptember 27, 2013 at 10:59 AM

    Sorry for your loss and such a beautiful memorial to her and how she touched your life.

    ReplyDelete
  23. gmaSeptember 27, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    Condolences. Lovely words and photos here as always Laura.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wabi SabiSeptember 27, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    Every ending a beginning... so comforting... so hard to believe! Thank you for your wonderful post today!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kim MailhotSeptember 27, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    What a tender and beautiful post, Laura.
    Sending love and light to you, and to your friend's spirit as she leaves this life behind. Peace.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Kim MailhotSeptember 27, 2013 at 12:08 PM

    What a tender and beautiful post, Laura.
    Sending love and light to you, and to your friend's spirit as she leaves this life behind. Peace.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2013 at 12:27 PM

    beautiful, laura. hope you are keeping well sweet lady? sue (greenwhisper)

    ReplyDelete
  28. kissed by an angelSeptember 27, 2013 at 12:33 PM

    Dear Laura,
    You and your dear friend Anne are kissed by angels. I'm sure you know that!
    Your photos are very beautiful!!! I like the last two very much!
    Have a wonderful weekend full of sunshine,
    Katrin

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    an insightful haiku ~ and lovely photography ~ carol ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  30. foxysueSeptember 27, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    I feel for you, the loss of your friend, find peace in the memory of your friendship. x

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wendy AnnabethSeptember 27, 2013 at 1:55 PM

    LOVE your pics & your blog! I'm a new GFC follower :)

    P.S. I'm hosting a giveaway that you might be interested in!
    www.domesticsweetheart.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sallie (FullTime-Life)September 27, 2013 at 2:47 PM

    I am so sorry Laura for the loss of your friend, but I am glad that your friendship brought so much to both of you. Your pictures, as always, perfectly illustrate your beautiful words. Your posts always stay with me for a long time. And I am so glad about that. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Grandma Barb's This and ThatSeptember 27, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    Lovely photos of the fall colored leaves against the blue, blue sky!
    I'm sorry for the loss of your friend who meant so much to you.
    Thank you for visiting me.

    ReplyDelete
  34. TexWisGirlSeptember 27, 2013 at 8:11 PM

    loving the blue sky to frame the leaves and the sun glints. bless you...

    ReplyDelete
  35. Beverley BairdSeptember 27, 2013 at 8:29 PM

    I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Anne. She sounds such a lovely person and will be greatly missed.
    Beautiful photos and haikus!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Beyond the Dog DishSeptember 27, 2013 at 8:51 PM

    I am so sorry to hear you have lost a friend. Your photograph of the leaf with the star burst is a beautiful tribute.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Minoru SaitoSeptember 27, 2013 at 9:35 PM

    Hi! Nice photo series of leaves. Mother nature is truely wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  38. ElizrdbthSpeaksSeptember 27, 2013 at 9:57 PM

    lovely views. i love fall leaves so calming & peaceful. ( :

    ReplyDelete
  39. DeniseinVASeptember 27, 2013 at 11:40 PM

    I love these photos Laura, especially the sunlight shining through the leaves.

    ReplyDelete
  40. magiceyeSeptember 27, 2013 at 11:54 PM

    Sorry to hear about your loss.

    Beautiful images!

    ReplyDelete
  41. lina@womenSeptember 28, 2013 at 12:54 AM

    Sad to know your friend's passing, may she rested in peace.
    Love your photos and words, Laura -so inspiring.
    Thanks for your visit :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. MastHolidaySeptember 28, 2013 at 3:59 AM

    Nice colorful leaf shots!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ajay KumarSeptember 28, 2013 at 4:01 AM

    Beautiful find the leafs to take the shots..nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Stewart MSeptember 28, 2013 at 4:52 AM

    Great shots - I really like the leaves against the sky

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  45. Karin BartimoleSeptember 28, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    A beautiful honorining to our circle sister. Thinking of you this beautiful autumn morn... xo

    ReplyDelete
  46. LaloofahSeptember 28, 2013 at 11:24 AM

    Just love the interplay of light, shadow and leaves - I can almost hear them rustling as they dance in and out of the sunlight! Those first two are especially beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  47. JanetSeptember 28, 2013 at 1:09 PM

    I am simply "Wonderstruck," which happens to be the name of the Bible study I'm doing at church. Love how you captured the light and details.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Gillena CoxSeptember 28, 2013 at 5:15 PM

    luv those leaves, thanks for your sharing

    much love...

    ReplyDelete
  49. SharonSeptember 28, 2013 at 6:14 PM

    Fall is just beginning to show her color in my neck of the woods. I visited Anne's blog ~ her positive attitude radiated with every post. I'm sorry to hear of her passing. You are in my thoughts, Laura.

    ReplyDelete
  50. LeoviSeptember 28, 2013 at 8:46 PM

    Yes, delicious pictures, very beautiful colors in the leaves, delicious Fall!

    ReplyDelete
  51. MarySeptember 29, 2013 at 7:23 AM

    So very true that as we look around in nature we can always see everything changing…nothing stays the same for long. Nature is always in process. And as far as life and death, they are indeed partners. Neither can exist alone. Where one is, the other will follow. So sorry for the loss of your friend.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Silke PowersSeptember 29, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    Anne changed my life in so many ways and I will miss her a lot! She taught me so much about living and dying. But most of all I will miss her sense of humor and her wonderful laugh! Much love, Silke

    ReplyDelete
  53. Robbie GreySeptember 29, 2013 at 9:35 PM

    Lovely. Beyond that, I have no words.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hootin' AnniOctober 1, 2013 at 8:16 AM

    Laura...this is a beautiful wonderful share...such gorgeous colors and shows us how nature changes for our eyes to enjoy. And the scents added, I can almost smell the outdoors through your awesome photos!!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Icy BCOctober 1, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    I love all your leaves shots! They are just so very very beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  56. MargaretOctober 1, 2013 at 4:09 PM

    I'm so sorry - but the "dance" was wonderful! Look what you created together... so many people never dance... how sad for them. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  57. AnnemorOctober 2, 2013 at 10:43 AM

    Lovely
    Have a nice day.
    Mormor

    ReplyDelete

Bright Sparks:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)