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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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Hakarat Hatov: Recognizing the Good #18



weekend walk with friends
embracing joy as we strolled
beneath the vast sky

 lake reflected light
shadows clouds life unfurling
time full expansive

linking to:
ein stuk himmel


For the remainder of the month of November, I will post a photo (or perhaps a few) each day that I DO have internet access, of something that invited me to pause and lifted up gratitude, joy, perhaps a quiver of awe in my heart the moment I stopped to be present and really see. By reviewing the image/images to share with you, the experience is engraved deeper in my consciousness, strengthening a reserve of gratitude and goodness to savor and draw upon when gloomy weather outside echoes inside, or vice versa. For me this is a devotional photographic journey for developing the soul quality of Hakarat Hatov…recognizing the good, a Jewish spiritual practice for cultivating gratitude. 

I look forward to receiving your written patches of thanks for this year's:

5th Annual 
Mega Mobius GratitudeQuilt
(Instructions for how to participate at the top of this blog.)
There is no actual quilting involved and EVERYONE is invited. 

Don't forget to share the love up close with I Heart Macro, the linky opens @ 7pm EST Saturday evening.

Shine the Divine
at 7:00 AM
Labels: , , , , , ,
Posted by Laura

47 comments:

  1. Cathy KellerNovember 21, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    What a wonderful walk this morning!!! I've not been out yet and soon will be but it won't be this lovely!!! Have a grand day!!!

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  2. AnonymousNovember 21, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    Truly gorgeous!

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  3. Sherry Blue SkyNovember 21, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    SPECTACULARLY beautiful photos, wintery reflections. I love the whole idea of recognizing the good.

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  4. KarenNovember 21, 2013 at 11:20 AM

    Oh gosh Laura, what magnificent captures! Truly beautiful!

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  5. Kim MailhotNovember 21, 2013 at 11:55 AM

    Beauty beauty beauty !
    A walk with friends sounds lovely.
    Eager to meet you tomorrow, friend !
    Happy Thursday !

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  6. PaulaNovember 21, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    Beautiful pictures and may the remainder of November be kind to you!

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  7. sandra haganNovember 21, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Nature is a sanctuary of mine, I thank God for it.

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  8. SteffiNovember 21, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    Very beautiful november walk photos,Laura!Have a nice weekend.

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  9. aspiritofsimplicityNovember 21, 2013 at 1:40 PM

    beautiful.

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  10. Seraphina´s PhantasieNovember 21, 2013 at 1:56 PM

    Hi Laura,
    these are marvelous photos of the sky and the landscape. Amazing colors. So beautiful !
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  11. HeidrunNovember 21, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    A lovely sky!
    Thank you for sharing, greetings by Heidrun

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  12. CherylNovember 21, 2013 at 2:35 PM

    Laura... these scenes are heavenly. Thank you

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  13. ClaireNovember 21, 2013 at 2:40 PM

    What stunning photos and lovely words!
    Am really looking forward to seeing the quilt :)
    And I've got a new super-duper blog - I'm pulling all the bits and pieces of writing/photos together... I'd love it if you could stop by sometime :)
    It's still in the early stages, so bare with me xxx

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  14. ClaireNovember 21, 2013 at 3:01 PM

    Sorry, Laura, I didn't give you the new blog address-duh! http://anotherdeepday.blogspot.co.uk/
    Thanks for commenting on my dreamboard though :)

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  15. One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods.November 21, 2013 at 3:21 PM

    So beautiful
    and always
    your words
    bless me...

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  16. AnonymousNovember 21, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    Lovely sky! So beautiful!

    Best regards, Nadja

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  17. Sylvia KNovember 21, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    Gorgeous evening skies and terrific captures, Laura!! Have a great weekend!!

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  18. HansHBNovember 21, 2013 at 4:10 PM

    A beautiful sky post!

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  19. AnnemorNovember 21, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    Øovely as always.
    Best whishes
    Mormor

    http://www.starbear.no/mormor/2013/11/21/en-liten-bit-himmel/

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  20. CarverNovember 21, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    Wonderful shots from your walk.

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  21. LeoviNovember 21, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    Yes, Great pictures, I love the scenery!

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  22. eileeninmdNovember 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM

    Lovely reflections, Laura! Beautiful sky shots! Have a happy weekend!

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  23. kalleNovember 21, 2013 at 5:04 PM

    Wonderful pictures ;)

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  24. AnonymousNovember 21, 2013 at 7:34 PM

    Incredible photography ~ so beautiful ~ for SWF ~ thanks, carol, xxx

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  25. moniNovember 22, 2013 at 4:46 AM

    Great reflections, dear Laura,
    love your sky!
    Have a nice weekend,
    moni

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  26. HOOTIN ANNINovember 22, 2013 at 6:23 AM

    Inspiring post...not only in those beautiful photos, but your writing!!

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  27. TracyNovember 22, 2013 at 6:38 AM

    Oh, sooo beautiful...*sigh*... Such scenes make one feel extra glad to be alive. :o) Happy Days, Laura ((HUGS))

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  28. Betty ManousosNovember 22, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    hi laura, these are gorgeous shots and great reflections!
    well done you!:)

    happy friday!

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  29. JohnNovember 22, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    A beautiful energy from the photograph and the words Laura.

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  30. ErcotravelsNovember 22, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    Polychrome natural beauty!
    Great shot!
    Regards my new post about a Great Royal City, Rajasthan in India.

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  31. MeriNovember 22, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    This falls into the prayer category that Anne Lamott calls, "Wow!" Wow, Laura. . . the images reflect so much beauty and glory.

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  32. Reading PleasureNovember 22, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    These are beautiful photos, Laura, matching the words!

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  33. Magical Mystical TeacherNovember 22, 2013 at 10:42 AM

    Embracing joy can be spontaneous or it can be something we have to practise. It all depends...

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  34. Gillena CoxNovember 22, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    lovely haiku duo; thanks for stopping by my blog; have a nice Friday

    much love...

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  35. thomasNovember 22, 2013 at 12:28 PM

    lovely reflection

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  36. foxysueNovember 22, 2013 at 1:32 PM

    Who could ever tire of observing clouds, colours, reflections?
    Yes gratitude is a good word. x

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  37. RajeshNovember 22, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    Terrific captures.

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  38. SpadomanNovember 22, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    The key, for me, is to recognize the moment and love it so much that I forget to take the picture, then see it for days in my mind. Thanks for this presentation.

    Peace

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  39. Wabi SabiNovember 22, 2013 at 2:55 PM

    Your quiet and contemplative stance of gratitude is uplifting and spirit filled! Beautiful post!

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  40. Christine K.November 22, 2013 at 7:53 PM

    stunning sky photos! lovely reflections!

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  41. JimNovember 23, 2013 at 1:29 AM

    Terrific shots.

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  42. 'TsukiNovember 23, 2013 at 1:54 AM

    An heavy sky for the perfect dramatic scenery... Good choice for the week !

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  43. Mark M. RedfearnNovember 23, 2013 at 7:35 AM

    You've caught the essence of friendship in your words: shared experiences.

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  44. JamesNovember 23, 2013 at 3:10 PM

    Beautiful shots! I love the lighting and colors and of course I love the reflections.

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  45. VieraNovember 24, 2013 at 2:36 AM

    Beautiful sky photos. Likely done

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  46. Cynthia of Cynful CreationsNovember 25, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    Love the photos and the words, how wonderful to be able to share that beautiful sky with friends.

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  47. AnonymousNovember 26, 2013 at 1:57 PM

    Beautiful shots! Great post... liked going through!

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