words and pictures....
June 10, 2015
As Henry David Thoreau knew well, a walk in nature always affects the quality of the day…
Get outside and be one with nature, even for just a little while each day!
“To affect the quality of the day,
that is the highest of arts.”
– Henry David Thoreau
May 18, 2015
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~ Joseph Campbell
A long time ago I learned that life never quite goes according to plan. If it did, I know my life would such a different life than it is now. Plans change. Expectations fall to the wayside. The seeds from fallen dreams grow into trees with many branches reaching up to the sun longing to find fruition in leaf.
I planned to be a painter when I was young. I planned to be a dancer too. Those plans turned to fallen seeds that planted my talents in my heart and mind and I created new plans in the spring light.
Life is a long series of plans and dreams. Some bud and leaf, blossom and grow. Some fizzle out in the hot sun for many reasons we cannot control. The greatest lesson I have learned about plans that don’t come to fruition is that greater things oft turn out in their wake.
Photo: The Mother Tree at Maudslay State Park ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey
April 9, 2015
There are times in life when my level of acceptance is tested. In those times, I need to dig deeply into my heart and mind, and view a situation or relationship by stepping back asking myself some critical questions. Because, in my opinion, my spirituality depends on my ability to ask myself critical questions about the context of an issue, so that I may come to a conclusion that embodies acceptance.
Acceptance is key to living in peace and harmony with all things and all persons. To achieve acceptance is not always easy. However, with practice and patience, I am able to put away my judgments and achieve acceptance. – Pamela J. Leavey
Introspection and reflection fuel my spiritual practice and are necessary facets of finding acceptance in my heart and mind.
Photo: Reflection at Maudslay ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey
April 8, 2015
Like trees that grow side by side and become intertwined with each other, we are all connected and fecund with the possibility of new growth…
“I welcome the chance to learn from every person with whom my life interacts for we are all connected. I recognize that I am green as the new leaves that grow upon the trees, and in my learning I too will grow.” – Pamela J. Leavey
Photo: Intertwined at Maudslay ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey
April 3, 2015
Is A Secret Sacred
Is a secret sacred
Is it to be held
Heartily is some reverential place
Only to be revealed
To the ones of the cult
Is a secret sacred
Is it to be held
Hopeful and tentative in its space
Or should it be revealed
At the alter of great doubt
Is a secret sacred
*Originally posted as a submission for Poetic Asides Poetry Challenge, the 2015 April PAD Challenge: Day 2 ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey.
*Photo: Maudslay State Park ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey
April 2, 2015
When we are weighted down with troubles and woes, we can easily start to lose confidence, sometimes without even being aware that that is happening. Even the strongest among us, with years of spiritual practice can find themselves doubting from time to time. To question our faith, to question our path, these are natural to us all. These are healthy questions from which we learn. And learn is what we are here to do.
Today, I re-mind myself that it is customary to question our beliefs, as that is part of the seeking. I affirm to question is to learn. No spiritual path is ever lined with rose bushes along a white picket fence. We have work to do along the way of our path, we have rocks to stumble over and brambles to wade through. Sometimes we will experience sheer bliss upon a path and other times we will suffer in the most profound ways. The purpose is the immerse fully in the path and not plant roses to mask the difficult parts of the journey, but let the path be our guide.
The path always guides me…
Photo: Early Spring on the Maudslay Trail ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey
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