Broken Pieces...

I don’t know what it is about old, dilapidated things but I find them incredibly intriguing.  I think it’s the history behind them that compels me to photograph them.  “Where did it come from, who used it, what did it do, how did it end up here?”  Those are the questions that will race through my mind.  The same can be said for people.  I love to people watch but in this day and age, just gazing at passers-by will get you a sneer or worst case, inquisition from local security.  Don’t even THINK of randomly snapping pictures of strangers unless you want to risk a possible altercation.  At least with these inanimate objects I can think and wonder on what kind of “life” they had and perhaps appreciate their existence…

Faith of a Child...

To think of the moment when we first became aware of our spiritual being and to feel that pure, comforting assurance that we have been, that we are, and always will be a child of God...

Morning in Westminster...

I had originally planned on going for an early morning hike with my dog, Sophie, but I was still pretty sore from the gym yesterday so I decided to walk down the end of my street and see if I could find something interesting to photograph.  Turned out to be a pretty gorgeous morning...

California Dreamin'

Yes, I still remember and I do very much miss the beautiful California sunsets...

"..But in through the open window,
        Which I had forgot to close,
There had burst a gush of sunshine
        And a summer scent of rose.

For all the while I had burrowed
        There in my dingy tower,
Lo! the birds had sung and the leaves had danced
        From hour to sunny hour.

And such balm and warmth and beauty
        Came drifting in since then,
That window still stands open
        And shall never be shut again."

The Open Window

by Edward R. Sill 

"Up, up and away...."

 We spent a fun (very early) Saturday morning at the balloon festival in Erie, CO.  Not sure I would have the nerve to go up in one but they were certainly very beautiful to watch.

"Blessed are those who believe..."

"Look Well to This Day"

Look well to this day,

For it and it alone is life.

In its brief course

Lie all the essence of your existence:

The Glory of Growth
The Satisfaction of Achievement
The Splendor of Beauty

For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is but a vision.
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Anonymous, 50 B.C.

Alone or lonely?

I sometimes ponder over the meaning of being either "alone" or "lonely"?  I think you have to rule out any aspect of the physical.  We've all been in situations where we've been surrounded by people but felt alone.  I'm also sure many of us have been physically isolated but felt content in our surroundings.  I think the key difference is "connection".  When we feel lonely, we feel a disconnection that isolates us from the world around us.  Conversely, when we're connected, through our thoughts, meditations and prayers, we have a sense of self that accompanies us and binds us to everything.   Being lonely is a temporary loss of spiritual connection.  I've been lonely before and the feeling of emptiness can be overwhelming.  Rediscovering that connection can sometimes feel like an impossibility.  But rest assured, that connection is always there.  So when you feel lonely, know that you are not alone...

Where are you going?

Life's possibilites are endless....

Time...

So what is it with getting old that makes us think of our own mortality?  Is it because our bodies don't perform as they did in our teens and 20s?  Is it because we have so little in common with those younger, "cooler", than us?  Or is it that we're losing parents, siblings and friends to time and circumstance?  Perhaps all of the above. I'm 49 years old and I find my mind entertains more thoughts on my legacy than on my mission. I don't know if I harbor the same thoughts and feelings as my peers but I've found that lately the farther I move through life the more my personal compass seems to be askewed.  I think less of ambition and more of spiritual awakening. I pray more and wish less. I look for meaning rather than results. I think of those that have crossed my path and influenced my life and I wish I could reach out to all of them to say "thank you".  I don't think there's a "right" or "wrong" path in our life's journey.  I think the key is realizing we're ON a journey.  I pray I have the vision to realize that and the gratitude to enjoy it.