The Experience of Water

 

"The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from

the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. 

Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. 

I am haunted by waters." - Norman Maclean

A river tumbles and teems with life to reveal the search for simplicity and unity. 

Waters weave their magical powers. Swift-surging rivers change with the light 

during the day. They merge with wonder in darkness. 

The flow provides opportunities for meditation and reflection. 

The river reveals a symbol of constancy within change.

Norman Maclean wrote, "Eventually, all things merge into one, 

and a river runs through it." The Indian word, 'hassayampah' 

means, the river that loses itself underground, like intuition.

We experience others' lives. They move on, flow through other landscapes 

and merge with different lives. Consider those who came before you. 

How, like a river do you carry them with you? What about those whose 

current has taken them away?

Move into a flow.

Recognize your personal 

journey as a life that flows, 

constant, and changing.

Joy of Sunset

While the sun does his dance into the sea, 

benefit from the final moments of each day. 

Find a place to watch for an evening 

                                                     to enjoy the sun's play.

"When you realize there is nothing lacking, 

             the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu

Visualize the color in all its depth, intensity, and discover a metaphor.

Notice how the sun wriggles to set in tangerine dreams.

Discover creatures who play and chase 

the sun as he rolls down the sky.

Feel grateful for each moment.

Nature's Nurture

 "Two there are who are never satisfied -- the lover of the world and the lover of knowledge." ~ Rumi

Experience Happiness

Robert Louis Stephenson wrote, "There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy. Happiness does not need to become the goal. We need a variety of experiences and moods to write about." 

In the 1980’s, Martin E.P. Seligman adopted the term, “positive psychology.” After years of studying the “learned helplessness” that characterized depression he began to study how individuals could learn optimism. Seligman felt a search for “authentic happiness” made more sense than relying on psychology’s one-sided focus on illness and disorders. 

Study optimism, courage and perseverance rooted in social and civil well-being.

 

Consider how to gather simple pleasures. The process itself will attract feelings of exultation.

Awaken to positivity that explodes in blossoms and blue sky. Take a pleasure interlude to revel in the marvelous nature shares.

 

Stay awake to joy and appreciation for growing creatures, birds, plants and trees.

 

Daily Joy

 One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats. ~ Iris Murdoch

Play On and On

 Play is our brain's escape mechanism to allow us to fly when rules would keep us from even thinking of flight." - N. Wylie Jones

Marvel of Moments

 Human beings have such a difficult time just "being."  We are always doing . . . worrying about yesterday, then shuddering about tomorrow.

The natural world teaches 

about existing in the marvel of moments. 

When the brain sends out negative thoughts or someone sets you 

off about events in the past or future, take time to identify 

with an animal in nature.  

Make time for a walk. Forget about politics, negativity, and even the weather. 

Go for a natural immersion.

Appreciate the feeling of breezes on the arms, a whiff of eucalyptus or a scent

in your environment. 

Listen to birdsong and look up to appreciate the miracle of flight.

Let the shimmer on a hummingbird's wings in sunlight activate 

a peaceful state of mind.

Observe behaviors that fill each moment. 

Enjoy a glorious opportunity to dance, trot, and breathe in, then out.  

Once in a rhythm, you will stop the mind chatter.  

Let laughter stimulate the stomach muscles to tighten.

The magic of minutes in the present will calm your nerves. 

Find a friend who will remind you to stay in that focus.

In the details you will merge with the Marvel of Moments.