“Everyone seems heavenbent on being part of a movement, if not leading one.   I’m sure they’re out there, but I can’t hear a single voice interested in a stop-and-back-up-ment, maybe a pull-over-on-the-shoulder-ment.”

i like to share photographs and words.  i am a little bit careful as to how i share things online.  there are some personal things about the people in my life that, out of respect for those people, i don’t post.  there have been times that i have written words out of resentment, misunderstanding, judgement, or anger that i have regretted with a red face.

i restrict myself in many ways on a daily basis.  it may be out of respect, fear, to fit in, and to appear normal.  come on…you know what i mean.  we all do it.

we have been taught how to do this even before we started to walk or talk.  shhhhh, no, wait, not now, be quiet, stop crying, go to sleep.  as a child we hear, no, not now, not here, be quiet, sit still, change your clothes, no running…

we are so busy restricting our self that we become really good at it.  we can get stuck in a restrict-a-groove so deep that we become little control robots.  and robots don’t have hearts.  we forget how to listen to our heart.

if we begin to do our work out of a need to appear normal, fearing what others will think, fear of messing up, fear of change or looking different, then a lot will be missing.  for example, Love will be missing, play will be missing, joy will be missing, creativity will be missing.

what if the reasons for doing anything started with our spiritual life?

what would happen if we started listening to the Spirit speaking our heart, instead of our fears or desires?

what difference would it make…
if the courage of this Love was working in your life?

think “work”
how does your heart and mind feel?

now think “play”
are you grinning yet?  how does your
heart and mind feel about play?

yes, that is the difference it can make.

..

saguaro soldiers holding long vigil
around rough edged little mountains
hills of rock worn ragged
cloaked in soft purple haze
by the evening sun

.

.

.

i have wanted to be more
in the eyes of the world
it is a reason
i have had in my heart
and my heart said
no more

no more
will you be given
until you change
your reason

.

.
the reason

for my doing
anything

matters

what is
behind
the thought

within
the heart

matters

in all
matters

.

.
i do not rise
like fat cream
to be seen
i rise like fog
to disappear
in mid air

.

.

in Jesus

faith gives rest

hope gives peace

Love gives life

.

.
to do anything in Love
is the best one can do

to be a servant
is the best one can be

so why
strive for less

.

once again, the saturday short list…
the sharing of a few blogs that i visited this week.

Agrigirl’s Blog . Life, leadership and community supported agriculture…
The Volunteers Seem to Thrive . by Tammy McLeod

Expect the Exceptional . the blog of Tony Alicea
Rob Me Of Me . guest post by Michael Perkins

Modern Marks . the blog of Sondra
Interview with annika Ruohonen, Photographer – Finland

Kickcan & Conkers . kids, modern vintage living & sunshine galore
Cups of Smiles . post by Deborah, the Yorkshire Lass

this is a picture of the area where i am drawing these days.
i sometimes see drawing as work, and sometimes it can be play.  i think
that sometimes the heart makes that decision instead of the circumstances.

if we listened to our heart, what we see as work, could turn into play.

.

.

.

.

i dance around
smooth skin when
a sharp manipulation
begins
the execution
turning
slow and easy
to see
if i can peel
without breaking

.

.

I am not a big fan of winter in Oregon.  I like to see the sun.
Winter here is very cloudy, grey and wet.  Chill to the bone kind of wet.
The season of winter is one that i spend looking for spring.  I have to admit, though, that
spring does come fairly early here in the northwest, taking a small share of winter, but sadly
it can go and steal some of the summer as well.  It’s the most greedy of seasons here.
Last year it rained every single day of June.  Greedy old spring.

Today, i visited the farmer’s almanac web page,
where i was informed that there are 55 days until spring.

I have even seen some signs of spring such as:

1. Teachers are starting to get crabby.
2. My neighbor was standing in his garden today.
3. There are a few dandelions in the yard.
4. The cat came out of the garage.

See, spring is just around the corner.

Though i am sure that there are many more cold, dark and wet days of winter yet to go,
I’m going to keep my eyes open for more signs of spring.

the one word carnival