knotted

knotted

constricted

bound by ropes

loosened when seen

for what they truly are

the trappings of mind coiling

‘round itself in fear of that which

cannot be constrained, controlled, tamed

courage: sitting in the tangled messiness of life

feeling afraid, doing what needs to be done anyway

trusting that no mind-state is permanent, release is a breath

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~away

linking to my friends @:

d'Verse

Memories Ever Fresh

as autumn approaches

the height of summer fades into whispers

the memories ever fresh.

linking to:

Awe, Comfort, Mystery

It is an awe inspiring mystery, discovering a tree that grew perfectly into a heart. I have photographed it several times in the past year or so (here and here), something I am compelled to do every time we are up in the White Mountains, as we were just a few weeks ago. It comforts me, this tree. The trunk seems impossibly slender, supporting an expansive heart of leafy branches. It makes me wonder how much my slender body can hold, how big will my heart grow through the years, am I up to the tasks that life has in store for me, and will I be able to withstand the storms of living with a fraction of the grace this tree embodies? It is an awe inspiring mystery, discovering a tree that grew perfectly into a heart.

Reflecting In The Morning Light

reflecting in the morning light

seed thoughts attended

with lovingkindness

have a lifetime 

to grow

Gratitude For Sacred Moments Of Awareness

In any moment gratitude is possible.

Most certainly in exquisite places where vibrant wild flowers adorn a mountainside, or the seemingly endless sky is blanketed with downy clouds. Of course we feel gratitude in glorious spaces and comforting circumstances.

And yet, a simple, desiccated moth wing blown across the pavement can serve as a reminder that there is beauty in the fragile remnants left behind; an invitation to recognize that brokenness is a blessing all it’s own, opening our hearts to deeper understanding and acceptance of the wholeness of life, just as it is.

Yes, noticing a tiny, patterned moth wing, drying in the sun is an opportunity to express our gratitude for sacred moments of awareness, no matter how, when or where we find them.

linking to my friends @

Our daughter is still going through the program at the PPRC, though we will be home for the long weekend. This has been a challenging time for the whole family in different ways. While I cannot speak for the rest of the family, I am grateful for the healing and growth I see in all of us through this experience.

Thank you everyone for visiting my blog, leaving kind, supportive comments, and for the many emails too. I hope that once we are through this I will be able to be in a "normalized" routine at home so I can start visiting blogs and replying to email more regularly again.

gentle steps,
Laura