Reflecting and Imagining

For many the end of the year is a time of setting resolutions for the new year. But for me, it’s a time of

What was 2022 like for me? How did it stretch me? What surprised me, saddened me, brought me joy? And what do I want to keep on doing, what do I want to change, and what new things do I want to experience?

One of the things I used to do when I was leading software development teams was schedule regular reflection meetings with the teams I was leading We asked some of the same kinds of questions about our work together. I believe that we learn greatly by reflecting and asking open questions, and then listening openly and without judgment.

Of the luxuries of growing older and having more free time, one of my favorite things is more time for reflection. I believe my heart has grown several sizes larger (in a good way) since I began doing what I love (photography) and letting go of self-judgment and competition and reflecting more.

Brother, I’ve seen some

     Astonishing sights:

A lion keeping watch

     Over pasturing cows;

A mother delivered

     After her son was;

A guru prostrated

     Before his disciple;

Fish spawning

     On treetops;

A cat carrying away

     A dog;

A gunny-sack

     Driving a bullock-cart;

A buffalo going out to graze,

     Sitting on a horse;

A tree with its branches in the earth,

     Its roots in the sky;

A tree with flowering roots.

This verse, says Kabir,

     Is your key to the universe.

If you can figure it out.

   — Kabir, translated by Arvind Krishna Mehrotra

Perhaps this pause before the beginning of 2023 would be a good time for you to do some reflecting and imagining.

May you walk in beauty.

Note about today’s photos: Still playing around with a small bunch of calla lilies I bought almost a month ago. They are fading and wilting but still beautiful to me.

Tracks on the sidewalk

Reflecting and Imagining

Published by Marilyn on December 28, 2022