I feel very fortunate to be living here, now, in this place. But I know that not everyone is having an easy time. For those who are struggling and cannot find their way I hope that you find
Everyday Courage
today and always.
Recently I had a small dose of worry and angst when both my cat Gracie and husband, Jon, seemed to be feeling unwell much of the time. Fortunately both of them are doing much better now.
Sometimes, when I fearthe small light I bringisn’t big enough or brightenough, I think of that nighton the beach years agowhen every step I tookin the cool wet sand turneda glowing, iridescent blue—and the waves themselveswere a flashing greenish hue—imagine we could dowhat 7.9 billionone-celled can plankton do—can shine when it’s dark,can shine when agitated,can shine with our owninner light and trust when we allring the tiny light we have,it’s enough to illumine the next stepin the long stretch of night.— Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
But it reminded me that the one sure thing in life is that everything fades and dies sooner or later. Since none of us (Jon, Gracie, and myself) are spring chickens anymore, I am even more aware of our mortality.
I was slowly learning that love did not mean holding on, which I had always thought, but rather letting go.
― Grace and Grit
So it became important to me to seek a kind of peace and acceptance that included the prospect of loss of loved ones without letting it suck the joy out of my life. I decided that I don’t want to live in a state of constant worry about what might happen to my loved ones or myself.
So I have created an everyday discipline of noticing when I shift into worry and consciously pulling myself back to the present moment. My practice is imperfect but it has helped. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve uttered the mantra, “In this moment I am okay,” to myself.
I look around with divine precision and gazing free upon the earth, I see — architects and earthquakes — empaths and robots — fictions and near misses — lives changing, children sleeping, beauty brimming.
I see us — trying on ways of being — so sweet and messy, so worthwhile. Laurie Perez
Seeking Grace and Grit
Finding beauty, choosing the joy of creating photographs, seeking wonder, and feeling gratitude are my antidotes for worry. How are you doing, dear friends? Are you finding beauty and choosing joy in your life today?
Life is messy. Grit and grace come at us fast, side by side. Sometimes the grit becomes overwhelming and diminishes our spirit. What’s good seems lost and gone forever. This is a story about the pathway back to what’s beautiful, when the way back seems impossible.
— Sharon E. Rainey
May you walk in beauty.
Note: In many of today’s photos I played with zooming the lens while making the photographs.
0 Comments