Monday, August 04, 2014

Falling back on gratitude near the tranquil and fathomless water (of life).


Not a picture of tranquil and fathomless water, but extremely special to see Squink so enchanted with a dog (claims to be afraid of them).

The world is an amazing place.

After a week of staring at my own mortality (through the making of regular doctors appointments and such) and trying to navigate the why didn't you do this sooner (in the case of a 5 year span between appointments [which is not the recommended amount of time].

I managed to end up doing things that brought gratitude back in to perspective...

Yes, it had been there, waiting for me to notice it... but I was clouded by worry about being alive and healthy for my son, and failing to do that very well because I had put off too many of my medical and dental appointments for far too long.  

So, now I just need to manage one last appointment, call for some test results and get started on trying to be better about this.

But, what joy there is in being thankful.

I got to help a friend work on a crowd funded art installation in a wonderful and gentle way and I was invited to spend a morning with a bunch of women whom I have never met but found utterly delightful (I have met the hostess, that was just once, and it was a while ago... but I have followed her blog since then).

“Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.”~ Albert Schweitzer


Here are reminders, for me, about how there is a gentleness out there:


Resiliency roses. For more information click here



Prickly Pear Jelly (before and after, if you will). Boy, do I miss eating fresh Prickly Pear fruit!

Squink, who insists he doesn't like dogs, let this gentle creature hang out by him the whole morning.



“Joy, sorrow, tears, lamentation, laughter -- to all these music gives voice, but in such a way that we are transported from the world of unrest to a world of peace, and see reality in a new way, as if we were sitting by a mountain lake and contemplating hills and woods and clouds in the tranquil and fathomless water.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

3 comments:

Anne said...

So you are working with Crystal? Love the quote.

Blair said...

I helped her pin roses, it was a blast!

African Kelli said...

Squink is welcome anytime. His friend misses him! And thank you. :)