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Posts from the ‘Photography’ Category

Jul 30

Stick

“The end is nothing; the road is all.” – Willa Cather

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”- Edith Wharton

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”- Edith Wharton

As we go through the challenges of life – ours and others, stick. There may never be words adequate to comfort completely, but sticking around is enough. We are put into each others’ lives for a reason. And when someone tells you to go, stay. When you want to run, stop.

Stick and walk them through it, if only to hold a hand. Never underestimate your power to make a positive impact. We are really grown up when we realize it’s not all about us. If we can say at the end of our journey that we helped others on their journey, we will have lived well. Today, ask someone how they are doing and pause long enough for the real answer. Stick.

Jul 26

2 Comments

Whisper

“None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.” – Thomas Carlyle

“The flowers that sleep by night, opened their gentle eyes and turned them to the day. The light, creation's mind, was everywhere, and all things owned its power.” - Charles Dickens

“The flowers that sleep by night, opened their gentle eyes and turned them to the day. The light, creation’s mind, was everywhere, and all things owned its power.” – Charles Dickens

Be quiet long enough to hear yourself and listen to others. Leave your opinions, judgement and criticism by the wayside. Like a gentle breeze through fragile flowers, whisper.

Jul 22

4 Comments

Above the Clouds

“We’d never know how high we are, till we are called to rise; and then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the sky.”  – Emily Dickinson

“Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.” - Winston Churchill

“Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it.” – Winston Churchill

Sometimes our plans don’t always work out the way we plan. Last week, my excitement to escape for a quick vacation came to a grinding halt when our flight was cancelled two hours before leaving. Since it was a quick trip to Las Vegas, losing one of three days is substantial. We were able to get another flight with a stop in Portland, only losing five hours.

Floating above the clouds, I was gently reminded of the importance of rising above the clouds to get a fresh perspective. To know what’s really important and what’s not worthy of more than a moment of our time and attention.

We have daily inconveniences and detours disguised as opportunities to take a different view, to be more patient, to slow down, to stop multitasking every moment away. And the true measurement isn’t in what happens to us but in how we deal with it.

Jul 17

6 Comments

Accept the Gift

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say “thank you?”
– William A. Ward

Each day is a gift. Open it.

“Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.” - Ruth Ann Schabacker

“Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.” – Ruth Ann Schabacker

“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.” - Melba Colgrove

“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.” – Melba Colgrove

Jul 13

4 Comments

Cherry On Top

“Life does not accommodate you, it shatters you. It is meant to, and it couldn’t do it better. Every seed destroys its container or else there would be no fruition.”
– Florida Scott-Maxwell

Fruition – the satisfaction that comes from completion. The sweet taste of the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. The new tree was planted about 5 feet from where the 50 year old silver maple was taken down a few months ago. A “baby” sugar maple in its place.

Lots of steps to get to this final touch. A new start from a last step. And 50 years from today, someone will be looking up at the towering sugar maple in appreciation as much as the girls and I celebrate the birth of its beauty and potential today.

Jul 5

2 Comments

Sparkle

“Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.” –  Henry Ford

Go into the world and shine. Now.

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Jun 30

5 Comments

New Carpet

“The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.” –  Denis Waitley

If I would have thought too much about what it would take this week to get the yard in order, I wouldn’t have started. Everyday, each step built on the next. Move wood chips and pull weeds on Monday; rototill on Tuesday; move a big pile of dirt on Wednesday; even out new dirt and move block back along the house on Thursday; put down “new carpet” on Friday. All done after work and in 90 degree heat. No complaining, just getting the work done. Well, maybe a little complaining before going to bed exhausted and waking up with stiff and aching parts – neck, back, wrists, elbows …

With projects like this, you get to see the results immediately. There’s an undeniable satisfaction in hard work, in earning the win. Also, an appreciation for those who show up to help and work as a team to get the job done.

To relax today, I ran 6 miles, watered the new carpet and took a few naps. I will be looking for a new tree in the next week to put the final touch on the blank canvas. Lily and Molly are enjoying the new yard, a great improvement over laying on wood chips. This morning, Lily ran through the sprinkler and then rolled around belly up on the new carpet with a big smile, making the effort more than worth it.

Jun 5

4 Comments

Poetry in the Ordinary

“Breathe-in experience, breathe-out poetry.”  – Muriel Rukeyser

While running a different path in St. Paul, I found poetry stamped into the cement sidewalk. A wonderful way to share poetry in an unexpected and somewhat ordinary place.

The poetry and art of our life can be discovered in the ordinary if we look with new eyes. Found in people, places and our own hearts, all within reach.

Everyday Poem for City Sidewalks, St. Paul, MN

Jun 3

Summer BrEASY

“Then followed that beautiful season… Summer….
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

‘In summer, the song sings itself.” – William Carlos Williams

There’s an easiness and simplicity in summer. We overcomplicate our days, our lives – over committing, overdoing, over the top. Summer calls and reminds us of what could and should be in our hearts and minds all year long. Life is before us in this very moment to be taken in and given back out. Be present, gentle and generous as a summer breeze.

“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, it is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress. “ – Charles Dickens

May 20

2 Comments

At Ease

“Ours is a time of anxiety because we have willed it to be so. Our anxiety is not imposed on us by force from outside. We impose it on our world and upon one another from within ourselves.” – Thomas Merton

We’re “connected” at all times – texting, email, cell phone … Technology is a major part of what I do in my career everyday, but it’s not a replacement for relationships and reflection. Take time each day to unplug by yourself and to reconnect with others one on one – face to face, not only Facebook to Facebook.

And don’t just buy the hammock and adirondack chairs for decoration. Put them to good use for regular restoration. At ease … that’s an order.

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why." - Eddie Cantor

“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” – Eddie Cantor

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