Kindness

When it seems like nothing else in life is working kindness can go a long way, from being kind to others and from kindness received.  It’s one of the few things in the world that doesn’t necessarily involve money.

Kindness can be offered in more than just word or deed.  It is also body language.  A smile can go a long way.  Our thoughts will also go a long way.  We are all inter-connected at the most core level.

Kindness has a ripple effect.  It makes you want to return the favor in some way to the next person along your path.

Kindness is not only for our fellow humans, but should be for all of our fellow creatures and our habitat as well.

I’m thankful for all the people who have been kind to me, and for any times people have felt I have been kind to them.

Thankful for Perfection in Whatever Form in May Take

Perfection means different things to different people.

To me it’s my husband walking through the door every evening and seeing perfection in me even if I’m dressed in the sloppiest of attire with no make up as I usually am.

It’s him telling me he’s so grateful I settled for him when it’s really the other way around.

It’s seeing the awe and wonder of water running in the creeks around our house, and when you can’t go outside it’s the awe and wonder of feeling water at least in one shower when it’s frigid outside and the water has froze in the other pipes.  It’s, while taking a shower, appreciating the tile work that my husband did and that he let me design.  It’s thinking about how much we take for granted and what the pioneers before us went through to make it all possible.

Perfection is in the senses of the beholder.  There is a section of the kitchen that has taken on a pungent smell of mixed spices that somehow reminds me of another lifetime, where or when I don’t know, but it’s pleasant.

Perfection is simplicity.  It’s seeing, smelling, touching, hearing and tasting in a moment of presence.  It’s appreciating the moment.

Inspired by Nature

I wrote this earlier, but we are once again at this point in Mother Nature’s cycle.  Even though summer is my favorite season I’m thankful for all the seasons, as a different beauty unfolds in all of them.

“When I discovered a new plant I sat down beside it for a minute or a day to make its acquaintance and hear what it had to tell.”  John Muir   He was truly a yogi, a Rumi of nature.

I had been thinking about John Muir on Friday, and later turned on PBS to find the Ken Burns series on National Parks showing.

Last night, or rather early this morning at 1:15 AM we observed the full moon but only mistily and briefly, as it was cloudy.  We were fortunate to observe it at its peak.  I was told it was good start new things after a full moon meditation, particularly this full moon.

I haven’t been out in nature like I used to, mostly finding excuses such as it’s too wet or too cold.  I decided today was the day to re-start hiking.  My husband and I went out today.  Even though the temperature was in the teens I was surprised at how quickly I warmed up.  I was layered to the max.

We are most fortunate that we have the wonder of nature in our own back yard.  If ever there was a spirituality it is in nature.

 

 

Thankful for the Seasons

 

I asked my husband what season I am.  He looked intently for a while and said summer.  I knew he would say summer.

 

The Wild Calls Lazily

As Leo I came into the world, feet first, ready to run

Not roaring, but gently purring into the sun

When freckles are in full bloom

When grass smells it’s sweetest,

And forest’s foliage is at its thickest,

Its narrow path beckoning me into its den

Where creatures take comfort devoid of men

And in the openness ripe vermillion tomatoes hang on the vine

Ochre squash peaks through an umbrella as green as pine

Water trickles into a pond neighbored by parsley, peppermint and thyme

The buzz of a bee and swift hummingbird sprints

Amid a spectrum of hues and scents

Into my porch swing refuge race

All my senses they embrace

While the dogs and cat sleep lazily on

Outward I gaze watching the grass grow

Contemplating the mow

I wake from my dream to see from my window the snow.

 

Snowy Trek

Today I seriously bundled up and ventured out in the woods for an hour of hiking.  Two pairs of socks, two pairs of gloves, two hats, two pairs of sweat pants, a wool sweater, sweatshirt and regular top along with a hooded coat was my attire – Michelin woman.  It was somewhere around fifteen degrees.  It’s hardly climbing Mount Everest, but for me it was a small victory just braving the outdoors in such cold weather and staying warm.  I did stay surprisingly warm – not toasty, but warm.  I’m not a cold weather person at all.  I’m thankful for the calories burned and for the commune with nature.

More snow, possibly ice, is predicted to begin tonight.  Maybe I will do the Jeremiah Johnson trek again tomorrow.

Supporting My Habit

My husband supports my habit, and I’m thankful for that.  On Friday I went into the hobby store for yarn, just one skein, for just one knitting project.  However, the on sale bin was newly loaded with discontinued yarn, which I couldn’t resist.

My thought process was all the knitting that would take place on those cold winter days.  I didn’t have to wait long, as the snow and freezing temperatures began on Sunday night.

I didn’t wait until I got home.  I spent a good portion of the morning at Starbucks working on those handmade Christmas presents.

I’m learning cable and completed the green scarf for my son-in-law.  I also bought some bamboo knitting needles, which I discovered I love.  Although my knitting career has spanned forty-seven years, I’m still just a beginner.  I think it was fate that I was given a whole set of knitting needles complete with case when I was ten.  An experienced knitter in our town died, and for some reason I was given her tapestry case of needles.  I always was attracted to yarn, and the year before my aunt had tried to teach me to crochet.  I both knitted and crocheted simple projects throughout the years, making hats for everyone while in college.  I eventually turned to weaving which became a business.  Now, I’m back to knitting, but as a hobby.