When I shared this picture on social media I immediately had several friends comment that they liked it. I started thinking "why?" I was about to ask them why they liked it (I think that must be the teacher in me), when I stopped myself. Sometimes it is enough to simply enjoy and to feel without having to delve deeply into what is behind it. So it is with this. Settle into the moment. Allow it to embrace you. Tis a soft morning, to be sure.
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In the background of these flowers is my house, but it is totally obscured by the heavy fog on this summer morning of a couple of weeks ago. The fog helps reveals the stark beauty of these wildflowers.
Is there anything in your life which "clutters the background" and if obscured would help you see something important more clearly? What might be the beneficial "fog" for you? The days are so quickly changing. There is no endless summer. Those who watch the sunrise every day realize how the sun is steadily marching southward across the eastern horizon. Each day the sun rises later and sets earlier and so the amount of daylight in each day diminishes.
While it may be true that "time stops for no one", it is also true that it is possible to live more fully in the moment. I am sometimes guilty of thinking so much of the past, or of so anticipating the future, that I forget to allow myself to be fully present in this moment. The glorious days of summer are receding, the wonderful days of winter are approaching, but it is the fulfilling days of autumn that are upon us. It is time to enjoy them. Look at this flower and what do you see? Do you see the beauty? Or do you see the flaws? Or do you see how the imperfections make the flower even more beautiful?
I was raised in a religious tradition that focused a great deal of attention on the concept of "original sin" - the flaws. As I have walked my journey through life, I have come to focus more of my thought on the concept of "original blessing" - the goodness, the potential, and the beauty. I'll not deny that there is ample amount of pain, suffering, and evil in this world and in my life, but as one created "in the image of God" I, and my fellow travelers, are fountains of goodness, potential, and beauty. May you be a blessing to others. The colorful fish in this photo are easy to spot if you know what you are looking for. If you don't know what you are looking for - then the ripples and reflections can throw your vision off. Is this true of life? What is it that you are looking for?
The beauty of a bouquet of flowers growing in nature is overwhelming. At first glance this group of flowers appears to be same. They are, but they aren't. Each one is unique. Each one is beautiful in its own way.
This is the way it is with my friends and loved ones. They may all be part of this larger group called family and friends, but each one is unique. Each one is appreciated and loved in their own unique way. What a beautiful bouquet that makes! A mid-August sunrise is a time for some reflection. Summer has blessed us with many warm and beautiful days, but the sunrise's march southward across the eastern sky and the shortening hours of daylight in each day has become noticeable. Students and teachers are becoming acutely aware of the quickly approaching school year. Families are trying to squeeze some final vacations in before the fall schedules begin.
I am thinking that what I need to do at this point is to simply enjoy the moment. These days fly by and the more I try to "catch them" or fill them, the faster they seem to go. Is it possible to just relax, settle into them and enjoy them? We shall see. Have you experienced a time in your life when it seems as though the whole world has conspired to make things difficult for you? Perhaps you have even been tempted to give up?
Never, ever give up! A new day dawns and whatever may seem to be the darkness and despair that is attacking you and casting its shadow over you will not triumph! Your character may be driven to its toughest test, your faith may be challenged to an extreme never experienced before, your soul may be plumbed to its deepest depths - but do not despair! In these very trials and tribulations you may find your true nature. You are a child of God, blessed to be created in the image of God, and created to be a blessing to others. Amazing Hummingbirds - I am far too slow to capture a live, flying hummingbird with my camera - so a photo of the ornamental one in my front yard will have to do.
The hummingbird is full of symbolism for many people. To me it symbolizes the joy of life, for it tastes the sweetness of life, and also great resilience for it is capable of great feats. Did you know it can fly non-stop over the Gulf of Mexico? Amazing! May you be blessed to have someone in your life who helps you taste the sweetness of life in amazing and wonderful ways - and may you be that person for others. Posting a winter scene in summer? Am I crazy?
Passion? Or simply crazy? Some people think that I am crazy to strap on my snowshoes on those cold winter days and go walking the labyrinths. Or that I am strange to go out at night and walk in the starlight and moonlight. I say it is living my passion. I don't expect every one else to enjoy the things I enjoy, or even to understand why I do them. However, I do know that when I am involved in those things I feel passionately about, I have a sense of connection (to this creation, to my fellow souls, and to the Divine) that is lacking when the passion is not there. I have come to the realization that I need such connections. What is your passion? Search your soul. Identify the passions you have. Engage them. Some may say you are crazy. I'll say you are alive! |
AuthorJoel Kreger is a writer who grew up in Minnesota, spent many years of his life in Iowa and Wisconsin, and now lives in Minnesota. His life experience includes careers of serving 17 years as a Lutheran parish pastor, working 18 years as a public school teacher, and now writing as a novelist and blogger. Archives
April 2019
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