Afternoon on the Salt Pannes ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey
Each time I drive through the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and cast my vision across the Salt Pannes, I see a new and different landscape that changes from day to day, week to week, month to month, as our lives do.
In truth, nothing should stay the same, for it did, we would be stuck in one place, one moment in time and we would never grow or learn or experience the wonders of life.
Nature is my grounding zone that subtlely reminds me of who I am and where I am going.
Life is a series of paths, trails and roads. A small path takes you to a larger trail… You follow along that trail in contemplation and then you meet the road. The road moves faster than the path or trail. On the road, you take action, you sometimes need to think quickly. Traveling on the road takes a different type of self participation. Sometimes you feel that you have traveled a road far enough and you need to get off that road. That is okay, because you can always start again at a new path. – Pamela J. Leavey
I feel as though people do not always take the time to fully communicate with each other. Is it because we are afraid to hear what someone else has to say? Is it because we are afraid to expose our vulnerable places and spaces to others? When we communicate with loved ones, we find communion…
“Communion is the root word in communication, reminding us that to communicate with another person isn’t to pass on information.” ~ Deepak Chopra: The Path to Love
Being in the now is a daily task. One can not simply decide to be in the now and then think that they will be in that space without working at it. It is a practice and like all practices, it takes commitment and work. Nature is always a grounding space for me to take myself out of my self and find the quiet within that is necessary to stay grounded and focused on the now.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2013
At times when I can’t get outside and spend time in the vast expanse of my favorite grounding place, the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, I find a favorite photo of my church, as I call the Refuge, and I open my heart space meditating on the photo.
I remind myself daily that happiness is a choice. Some days are easier than other days, on the path to being the now and that is okay. With daily practice, I have found great comfort in the knowledge that I am responsible for my feelings and actions. Practice makes perfect… While I am no enlightened master, I do know I grateful for the enlightenment I receive in the now.
As the sun sets on the horizon it is always a good time to contemplate the day and affirm the good with gratitude and release the bad with the setting sun. Each day we go through situations that are good, bad or indifferent. Releasing the negative with setting sun, sets up the next day to start with a clean slate.
Salt Pannes Sunset ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2013
Releasing the negative with the setting sun also clears the evening of negative thoughts and energy and enables the spirit to relax and renew for the following day. I prefer to release the negative with setting sun, so that I have clear mind and heart for a time before bed.
Birds have the most remarkable way of blending in to their surroundings and camouflaging themselves. We humans work hard to do the same thing… Blend in.
Snowy Owl on the Pink House ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2013
It’s normal that people want to blend in, but they should never sacrifice who they are to fit in. It is okay to blend in a little, as the Snowy Owl in the photo does, but it is also okay to be on the edge of blending in, as we see with the Snowy Owl.
Who we are in the world is perfect. Stand up, be yourself and stand out — even if you are on the edge. It is good to be unique. It is okay to be eccentric.
I have lived a rich life not blending in…
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Musing and Rambling
Sometimes I muse and I ramble because I can... I muse about life and things that matter to me...
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