As insight grows,
Clarity emerges
Wisdom revealed.
Enter life’s stream
Accept turbulence
Seek calm waters.
Drop labels
Cease judgment
Fall awake.
Tag Archives: photography
In the Greater Scheme
It was a tiring day. I sat and reminded myself of a time I felt less tired. I took this picture that day.
I sit
I walk.
In the greater scheme
What does it mean?
Sunlight warms face
Gentle breeze cools air.
Fresh morning;
Comfortable afternoon.
Feel one with Nature
Deep roots.
Supported by ground;
Enveloped by all around.
Afresh, like a beginner;
Feel that which was always there.
See the world;
Feel it for the first time.
I find a place;
A place at the table of life.
Silence, Solitude, Sabbath
I head into my Sabbath – I disconnect to reconnect. Last weekend we spent time in silence and in that space solitude appeared. I enjoyed a good week in a place I often struggle to find peace of mind. Besides the retreat, it was made easier as I participate in a wonderful group on a monthly conference call and we met this week. I also interviewed for a radio show about mindful servant-leadership. This was an incredible experience and will share a schedule, when it is available, for those who are interested in listening to it.
I can only say the peace I felt this week was a result of the silence and solitude at the retreat. This and sharing that experience with Kathy was a great time.
Spacious silence and solitude…
Within you I sought refuge
Peaceful and compassionate place.
There lovingkindness discovered me
The heart breaks open
Each moment its reward.
Silently the spirit reveals itself
Able to speak
Softly, gently, tenderly,
Begs for its quiet voice to be heard.
Solace finds me
An unmarked path emerges
One step at a time.
At week’s end
Gratitude for wisdom revealed
For week’s beginning.
A Half a Dragonfly Is Better than None
I took this picture with my PDA at the retreat last weekend on one of my walks. This picture turned out better than the one I deleted. I took that one of the sidewalk. I had trouble with the sun over my shoulder; pretty good excuse. Initially, I was disappointed because this dragonfly posed and was cooperative, but, in retrospect, the title says it all.
The retreat was a great experience. I reminded my self that it is OK to be imperfect. I am human with that. The dragonfly showed up and shared a quiet moment with me and for that I am grateful.
He lit down oh so gently
He posed oh so perfectly.
I heard him say;
I really did!
“Take my picture please
My time almost done
This serves as my memorial.”
I took his picture
He stood so still
Posed gratefully.
Once done, he took his leave
Both our jobs nearly done.
A Visitor
I had just started on a conference call to Seattle last night and this fellow showed up on the back deck. He seemed curious and I took the picture with my PDA through the window. When I did open the door, he was gone before I even got open a crack. I think it is a western northern flicker woodpecker, but am not 100% sure. It is the first time I recall one showing up in my backyard. The ashtray served as a landing-place. It is not used for anything else.
Today, a visitor called
Briefly paused and rested on the stoop.
He seemed uneasy
Still, made himself to home.
Furtively, glanced about
Perhaps, hoping he would go unnoticed.
He seemed likeable
I moved to greet him
Suddenly, he slipped away
Gone, as quickly as arrived
I wish him well on his journey.
The Bridge
Kathy and I enjoyed our break at the retreat this weekend. I feel a little under the weather, but during the retreat itself that simply found a backseat in the peaceful environment we were in all weekend.
When I attend spiritual retreats, I find part way through I question myself. We often talk about compassion in these settings, but I struggle at times to be kind to those who I feel have offended me in the past. I am sure it is human nature. This weekend, I recognized there is worth in the small offenses, I find the good as I turn a little on the circle and shift my senses. I can see the world slightly differently. It is the bridge I need to walk across the abyss that appears, but it is only visible one step at a time. I trust my judgement and that of those who help me take those steps.
I know some might look at this picture and say,”That isn’t much of a drop or bridge.” I am so afraid of heights even this was a challenge the day I crossed.
I stand on the edge
The abyss yawns
Take the first step
The bridge is safe.
Built on compassion
Crafted from wisdom
Supported by community
It will carry my weight.
If only I trust my self
Take the first step
Trust my instincts
And those who travel with me.
Open Heart; Open Mind
I walked out of the house and looked up at a clear sky. The Moon stood out in the sky and just below was a morning star. It is not a great picture, but it reminded me I live in a metropolitan area of over 1 million. I find my self rewarded when I take the time and see nature in that place. They are there; I only have to look for them.
See what I want
Hear what I choose
Instead, open my whole self.
Behold nature’s gifts
Hold close to the heart
Hidden only when I choose.
Nature waits for me
Quietly reveals its self
Open my whole self.
September
I walked the path along the North Saskatchewan River yesterday. The valley is changing as nature takes its course and readies us for autumn.
Leaves fall by the path.
New colours slowly emerge
Nature paints herself.
Summer slips away
Seamlessly meets the equinox
Harvest our bounty.
Tern, Tern, Tern
Kathy and I walk in the North Saskatchewan River valley 3 or 4 times a week. As we walked today and came across this scene, it reminded of the Pete Seeger melody Turn, Turn, Turn using words adapted from Book of Ecclesiastes.
To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven.
Conversation Circles
In our classroom, we use a conversation circle. I use it as a time to clarify things from my perspective and allow students to speak about what they would like to do. At other times, we talk about upcoming events. Today in the conversation circle, each student introduced themselves to the group, which seems like a small thing, but sometimes goes unattended in classrooms. I also asked the students about what they want for complementary courses. This is an outgrowth of the conversation circles we held last year. Students want a voice in their learning.
We use a ‘talking stick.’ The person with the ‘talking stick’ is the speaker and others listen. In an era of digital technologies, the stick reinforces a protocol of face-to-face conversation which we increasingly need in our world. The ‘talking stick’ was a gift from a parent last year. She is a member of a First Nation so it has some traditional meaning attached to its design.
The wood is driftwood which came from a local lake and reflects nature’s contributions to the circle. Someone carved a bear head into the top of the stick. In some traditions, the bear symbolizes courage, freedom, and power. The feather is from a hawk. Hawks are visionary and guide the person. The coloured ribbons represent the four directions in the circle. The parent attached a medicine bag. The medicine bag heals, guides and protects, and has materials or objects of value to its carrier.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 