Lately, I’ve taken my camera with me to the woods to record the passing of the seasons and to meditate as I walk. My pace is slow. I scan my surroundings. I listen for the wind, the birds and insects. I came across a charm of goldfinches last week. What a golden treasure they were! I scout out small hidden places. I walk in wonder.
Tag: life
Art as Gratitude
I hadn’t thought of art as a vehicle for gratitude, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was exactly that – art is a prayer sent out to all calling for peace, beauty, love, all the colors of the rainbow, the rain coming softly down washing everything clean. This weekend, I looked back at some of the photos I’ve taken and suddenly saw prayers of gratitude embedded in their images.
Mindfulness in Teaching: Be Where Your Feet Are
The author, Suzanne Dailey, noted that she and her girlfriends play a game called “Where are your fee?” in which they send each other photos of their feet to check in with each other about what they are doing and how they are feeling. This game helps each person consider where they are in the present moment. It helps them reflect and shift their attention. It’s a gentle reminder to “Be where your feet are.”
Sitting With Darkness
Now, she’s gone, and I’m trying to find my way in the wake of this darkness. How do I walk on towards old age? How do I live fully with joy and optimism while holding pain and anxiety at bay?
A Jury of Our Peers: Part 2
Exercising my civic duty is not as exciting as I thought it would be. Mostly, it is waiting and trying to keep myself entertained. I purposefully did not bring my laptop, and I’m trying not to engage my phone. I want this day to be more reflective and in the moment. I spend too many days rushing around from one task to the next. Today, I have an opportunity to stop and reflect.
Exercising my civic duty is not as exciting as I thought it would be. Mostly, it is waiting and trying to keep myself entertained. I purposefully did not bring my laptop, and I’m trying not to engage my phone. I want this day to be more reflective and in the moment.
A Measure of Success
Since I was a child, I’ve measured my success by all the small moments I’ve had connecting to people through personal interactions and poetry. Connection to me equaled success. Oh sure, I had thoughts of fame and money but that all fell away as I matured. It’s not that I lost my ambition, it’s just … Continue reading A Measure of Success
Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education 