-James Baldwin

These reflections in nature seem to speak of the delicate, steadfast, sweet, life-saving work that Baldwin speaks of in this profound quote. What is more important that mirroring a fellow traveler’s light back to them?

there are places

places on earth

that are magical

.

that no words can

hope to describe

.

where your soul

empty and drained

is restored

.

where the whispers of angels

shimmer through the trees

as if on a mist

.

perfectly and peacefully

.

and gently floating

on the warm spring breeze

.

drifting weaving

.

falling on my face

filling me with grace

.

-Michael Traveler, from “Places”

“Know your essence.

As you move through your life, you will claim many identities and belong to many tribes.

At some point, however, you realize this is not you being authentic, this is you being confused.

When you begin the process of dropping all identities, one after another, you reveal your true essence, which is you as a soul.

Let the rest go.”

-Sara Wiseman

“A new beginning! We must learn to live each day, each hour, yes, each minute as a new beginning, as a unique opportunity to make everything new. Imagine that we could live each moment as a moment pregnant with new life. Imagine that we could live each day as a day full of promises. Imagine that we could walk through the new year always listening to a voice saying to us: ‘I have a gift for you and can’t wait for you to see it! Imagine!”

-Henri J.M. Nouwen

“There is in us an instinct for newness, for renewal, for a liberation of creative power. We seek to awaken in ourselves a force which really changes our lives from within. And yet the same instinct tells us that this change is a recovery of that which is deepest, most original, most personal in ourselves. To be born again is not to become somebody else, but to become ourselves.”

-Thomas Merton

Both quotes were found in the first chapter of the Artist’s Rule by Christine Valters Painter, a Benedictine oblate and artist. This book provides a twelve week journey of contemplation and creative expression that I’m just embarking on.  It is a deep dive.  This book is on our Sapphire Girl’s book list if you’re interested – seems a good journey to delve into just now with new beginnings inherent and the quiet of winter about to unfold to express them in.

“All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child.”

-Marie Curie

“To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top.” ~

-Robert M. Pirsig

 

“…it is a serious thing

just to be alive

on this fresh morning

in the broken world.”

-Mary Oliver

“As our world becomes increasingly polluted with noise, silence is becoming our rarest commodity. Through all the madness, how can we possibly hear what the Earth is so patiently trying to tell us? Wilderness is our only hope. The one place we can always come back to.”

-Scott Stillman

“Marvel at the deep truths of being”

-Arthur C. Brooks

“Promise Yourself…

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”

~ Christian D. Larson