Look and Listen

Are you looking at the world or just seeing it?  Do you really listen to music or just hear it?

Does this sound crazy?  If so, just think about it for a minute, because it makes sense.  When you walk around, your eyes are open, so you're naturally going to SEE things, but are you really looking?  Assumming your ears work, you are going to hear sounds, but are you really listening?   Are you looking at the details of a flower or noticing how the light brings out the brilliant colors of a simple object?  Are you noticing the variety of colors in a sunset or the reflections in a puddle of water?   If  not, you're missing the joy and the  wonder of the world around you.

When you hear music, are you listening to the beat or to the sounds of the different musical instruments?  Do you hear the nuances of the musical score or notice the compleities of the chords or do you merely HEAR the music?  If you truly listen, you'll notice these things and the music will be more enjoyable and more meaningful to you.

Just for today, try really looking at your world and really listening to the music you hear and to the sounds of nature.  You'll probably be surprised at how much more you enjoy your day.

What Soothes Your Soul?

"It is the mind which creates the world around us,
and even though we stand side by side in the same meadow,
my eyes will never see what is beheld by yours,
my heart will never stir to the emotions with which yours is touched."
George Gissing

I firmly believe this is true, because we all see things, hear things, understand things based on our own filters.  The experiences we have in life have a profound impact on how we react to what happens in life, be it observing a beautiful scene or trying to recover from a disastrous event.  No two of us are exactly alike.  I'm not even sure about identical twins, because they must have some unique experiences that make them see things just a little bit differently.  Since I'm not a scientist, I don't know that for sure, but it makes sense to me.

What unique experiences have you had that make you appreciate certain types of art, literature or music?   If you had been raised in a different place, or had different parents, would you see things differently?   Which one of these pictures "soothes your soul"?  Or, maybe none of them do and that's ok too.  Art is very subjective and we don't have to like the same things or react to thing in the same manner. 

Feel free to leave your thought here for others to read.  Plus, that way I'll know that someone is still reading my blog.

The Simple Beauty of Nature

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.  Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simply beauty of nature."  Anne Frank (1929-1945), Netherlands.

If you ever feel like things are too crazy and that your life is spinning out of control, find a beautiful spot outside where you can relax and commune with nature.  It will help to put things back into perspective and rejuvenate your soul.

I wish you a day filled with beauty, love and inspiration.

The Strength of Water

"Nothing in the world is more flexible than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it."Lao Tzu (c.604 - c.53/BCE), from the Tao Te Ching, China

Have you ever tried walking across a river? My husband's a fly fisherman and, a few years ago, he decided that we needed to cross the Madison River, in Yellowstone, so we could fish & picnic on the other side. So, we both started out with our walking staffs, hoping they would tame the wild water & allow us to cross. My knuckles were white, not only from hanging onto the walking stick, but from fear as we made our way carefully across the river. There were many times when I thought I was going to fall, be rushed downstream & slammed into a large rock. Lukily, although the water was powerful, it wasn't deep, so we did make it across, but I have a very healthy respect for rushing water & hope to avoid crossing another river. I'll just fish & picnic on the "safe" side of the river.

Have you tried paddling out to catch a wave when the surf is coming in? Have you tried swimming

against the tide? Water is stronger than we are. We cannot conquer it. We may be able to channel its' strength at times but, when it comes right down to it, we have to change our actions in order to work with.