Trillium

Called to Question - by Joan Chittister

Let me recommend Joan Chittister's book, 

"Called to Question." 

Here is an excerpt: 

"It's possible, of course, to wend our way through life superficially, questioning nothing and calling it faith. Or we can choose to look ourselves in the center of our souls, admit the worst, whatever the pain of that, and pursue the best, even when we are totally unsure where that pursuit will take us. This book is an attempt to be true to the struggle to create for ourselves a spirituality that comes out of both the essentials and the uncertainties of life rather than the pieties."

(Photo taken 07-2010, Canon Xsi 1.4 lens)

Silence and Words

I have been receiving emails from "The Center for Action and Contemplation" for a number of months. On a daily basis they send a short, thought provoking message (usually no more than a couple of small paragraphs) from the writings of Richard Rohr. Whether I agree with everything he says or not, I am still prodded to think again about the things I believe. 

Today's meditation was on the relationship between silence and words. I was struck with these words:

" Silence and words are related.  Words that don’t come out of silence probably don’t say much.  They probably are more an unloading than a communicating....If I had to advise one thing for spiritual growth, it would be silence."

It is so true. Many times I have found myself  "unloading" words instead of really "communicating" something meaningful, birthed from time spent in silence. 

Enough said....

If you would like to subscribe to Rohr's daily emails, this link will take you there:

Subscribe to CAC email lists

Elizabeth Francis Caldwell

(Canon Rebel Xsi, 250mm lens - 07/15/2010)

"In the intensity,

diversity and rapid pace of our daily lives,

we must remember to reconnect

the holy and sacred

with the daily and the ordinary."

~ Elizabeth Francis Caldwell

~ Wonder ~

The wonder

is that we can see these trees

and not wonder more

Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Canon Rebel Xsi, 250mm lens, cropped 06-05-2010)

The Individual

The majority of flowers in this photo are bright orange California Poppies. They are all facing the same direction. There is one Shirley Poppy, and ironically, it is not only a different color, but it is facing the opposite direction!

Does that say anything to you?

(Canon Rebel Xsi, 250mm lens, cropped - 06-03-2010)

Guidance

Howbeit when he, 

Spirit of truth,

is come,

he shall guide you

into all truth

John 16:13

Savior,

like a shepherd lead us...

(Canon Rebel Xsi, 18-55mm lens, +4 close-up: cropped)

Congratulations!

David and Charisa

just completed their first

10K marathon!

Finish time - 1hour 12 min.

Congratulations! ! !

Abuse

In the past, I've written about abuse. In this day and age, it is prevalent. On the site called, "The Safe Place," I found a list describing behavior associated with verbal and emotional abuse. Though the site is geared toward helping youth, wrong and hurtful behavior is no different for adults. If you or anyone you know is experiencing this behavior in a relationship, it is not OK. Nobody needs to remain in a relationship where they are the recipient of this kind of violence.

Following the list, I've written a letter to "my abuser." Abusers just don't "go away." They are tenacious because they are certain they are right. Sadly, the more right they think they are, the more mistaken, foolish and dangerous they become. 

For more information about abuse, you can visit "The Safe Place" at http://www.thesafespace.org/the-basics/relationships-101/types-of-abuse/

Verbal/Emotional Abuse is anything that the abuser says or does that causes you to be afraid, lowers your self-esteem, or manipulates or controls your feelings or behavior.  It includes:

• Name-calling and put-downs
• Yelling and screaming
• Intentionally embarrassing you in front of other people
• Keeping you from seeing or talking with friends and family
• Telling you what to do
• Using online communities or cell phones to control, intimidate, or humiliate you
• Making you feel responsible for the abuse
• Stalking
• Threatening to commit suicide in order to manipulate you
• Threats of violence and harm to you or people you care about
• Threats to expose your secrets (such as sexual orientation or immigration status), start rumors, or to take away your children    
  
  
  
  
  To my abuser,
  
  I am at a time in my life when I have had to reconsider just about everything and everyone that I allow to touch my life. I have made mistakes in relationships over the years for which I take responsibility. I have given more of myself, at times in the past, than I should have.
  
  Because I haven't always known how to handle abuse, I've enabled it. I've given, forgiven, and hoped beyond the point of what is reasonable, only to be disappointed, over and over again. Humanly speaking, I feel empty of anything more to give to anyone - especially in a one-sided relationship that only wants to hurt and take. I've felt empty for a very long time. 
  
  The trust I thought I could place in you has been hammered to nothing by your self-centeredness, your vain assumptions, your lectures, your verbal lashings, your empty promises and your immaturity. Abuse is more than broken bones or bleeding, and anyone who has any self respect will get themselves out of abusive relationships and on to healthier ones in the future. This is the course I am on.
  
  You wonder how you've abused me? I ask, "Where were you when I needed a friend? Where was the help, the consideration, the understanding, I expected and needed? Why did you treat me carelessly and viciously, and then, accuse me of wronging you? Why do you promise me your "love" forever, and then hurt me, harass me, stalk me, try to beat me down, and lie to me? Why do you make promises to repay money and then never do it? Why do you thank me for all I did for you, and then spin around in the next moment and accuse me of making your life a mess?"
  
  You live in your pious airs with no knowledge of what life is really like for me. In your judgment you curse my present, my future, my family and my friends. In your bitterness you hurl Bible verses at me, and you come to conclusions, which are so far from reality. You assume to know what I think or what I will choose and why. You question everything I do with suspicion. You conjure up foul scenarios because of your jealousy and repeat them over and over again.
  
  When I seem to be doing "well," you take the credit for having prayed for me. When I don't live as you think I should, you condemn me and make accusations that have little or no legitimate basis. That's the way it's always been.
  
  You built an image of me in your own mind of who you wanted me to be. You've also destroyed that image and blamed that destruction on me. Your manipulation and control would keep me in a box of your own making. In your eyes I am only free when I do what you think is right. There is no room for me to change and try new things in life like everybody else. There is no place in this relationship for me to be me.
  
  You wonder why I can't forgive you and then things be as you want them to be. I have forgiven you, but there comes a time, when the bruises and lacerations - especially the mental and emotional ones - don't heal because of the constant battering. I have removed myself from the place of abuse and I'm not going back.
  
  My hope is in God, my Savior, who alone is the Friend of Sinners. You are not my judge in this world or the next. If I am as bad as you make me out to be, then leave me alone. If you have any self respect, get some help for the abusive behavior you demonstrate and stop making promises to me that are filled with hidden daggers. They have no value to me. Nothing you communicate to me entices or persuades me.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
   

Peace in the Park

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

   When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well

It is well

With my soul

With my soul

It is well, it is well,

with my soul.

by: Horatio Spafford

(Canon Rebel Xsi, 250mm lens, cropped, 06-03-2010)

Light and Life

(Canon Rebel Xsi - 05-09-2010)

Lord, help me see Your light,

even when

the multitude of details

in this life

threaten to obscure the path.

Raindrops on Daisies

Just before sunset...

...it was still raining...

...unbelievable beauty...

God Provides

"They all depend on You

to give them their food

as they need it."

Psalm 104:27

(Canon Rebel Xsi; 250mm lens, +4 close-up, cropped)

Accepting the Storms and Expecting the Sun

The sunsets after rain are extraordinary. This evening, I  am sure it must have resembled heaven.

The turmoil of rains and wind for several days, or even hours, with the added darkened gray color of light, makes the world around me, and even my own soul, feel weary. I have experienced much loss because of or during rain and wind storms. However, when it stops...and it always does stop...there is a relief and a definite sense of quiet sure lifting, of new beginnings, of life coming out from under cover to spread its wings.

The sun bathes the rain soaked, the wind beaten with a warm, reviving golden glow. Peace fills the misty air and soaks beneath the surface of every living thing that was exposed to the harassment of the storm, transforming what was chilling and shunned into something  which is readily drunk - deeply. No matter how long the storm endures; no matter how weary I may be; no matter how late in the evening before the sun triumphs, when it does, I am energized, encouraged, infused with the peace it lavishes on me.

I have come to accept the storms. That doesn't make them any more pleasant than before. They are not less damaging or less wet because I accept them. But, I have come to accept them because I have learned to expect that, after the storm, the sun will come out. After the soaking and the beating of the wind, the mist, which is left on the heels of the storm, will fill me with the peace it is made of. Peace that can only come from the One who created it. Those peace-filled moments surpass everything that happened during the storm. 

(Photos taken 05-2010; Canon Rebel Xsi; 250mm lens, f 8.0; ISO 1600; -1 exposure)

(Thanks to Michael Nelson who photographed the mountains from the roof! I photographed the sunset and blossoms)
(As always, click each photo for enlarged view ;)

Passwords for Progress

I came up with an idea a couple of months ago. I needed to change some passwords and it can be difficult to come up with things that are memorable. I've used the common choices, i.e., a family member's name, birth dates in part or whole, street addresses, etc.

But, a couple of months ago, I thought of a phrase - just a two-word phrase - and every time I log into my email account, it's like a little pick-me-up! It reminds me of my direction in life! It has been an incredible source of encouragement at the moment I'm typing it in, and also in the cumulative - reminding me of where I was, where I am, and where I want to be!

If you would like some ideas, here are a few (no, I'm not going to tell you what mine is!)

-getting better

-be happy
-moving forward
-choosing hope
-getting out of debt
-smiling daily
-joy 101
-dream big
-God can do it
-all will be well
I've written these as separate words to make them understandable, but in your password it would be written as a single word - Godcandoit.
Go ahead and try it! Think about how many times you log into an account everyday! I think you'll be surprised the difference it will make in your daily perspective and in your overall attitude - Cheers!

Tomorrow is a New Day

As the sun has set, bringing the end of another day, I think about what I have done.
Could I have done more? Probably.
I will try again tomorrow.
I will awake with anticipation of filling the day with
focused thinking,
productive actions,
faith,
love,
and hope.

(Please excuse the electrical pole in the center of this photo. The photo was taken in 2006 - a long time ago. I wasn't thinking about things like that back then!
Anyway, this is an unedited photo - except for minor cropping)

The Olympics After the Rain

May 17th, 2010 Canon Rebel Xsi

250mm lens, f 11, ISO 400

cropped and lightened

Thought for Today

Today -

I will focus intently on each task I am doing. It takes self control to keep the mind from wandering from the present, to thoughts of the past or the future. Focusing on the moment also helps to keep myself in motion and from getting overwhelmed. I will pay attention to what I am doing right now - the laundry, taking a photo, cleaning the kitchen, job interview, cooking a meal, writing a post, painting, or visiting with someone.

When I pay attention to the present moment, all of my senses and intellect will be ready to give and to gain from whatever I am doing. I will experience the moment fully. I will be conscious of doing the best I can. All of my energy is there for the task at hand, so, I will exert a little more - go one step farther - to better myself and to keep moving toward the goal.

Where There Is Life...

...there is hope

(04/2010 Canon Rebel Xsi, 1.4 lens, cropped and contrast adjusted)

Sweetness in the Shadows

No matter how stressful, hurtful or ugly things may be at any given moment, I've been blessed so many times to catch even a glimpse of something beautiful, peaceful, or enriching. 

Lately, I've been taking my camera everywhere - making and taking the opportunity to practice my photography skills. One of the bonuses is that I can capture some of those special moments, also. 

This morning was a bit grueling. I didn't get much sleep last night and I had some major errands to do in Port Angeles. There is so much in bloom and I appreciate all of the color this time of year, but today it was a bit of a blur, until...

I was famished and pulled in to a drive-through for some lunch. Car sounds and exhaust, buildings, metal, concrete and glass seemed to exaggerate the weariness I was feeling. Have you ever noticed there is no comfort in things that are not alive? 

When I went to place my order, I looked just past the speaker post, and there, tucked in the shadows was this sweet little blooming rhododendron. It may as well have been an entire forest of rhododendrons, because it was so refreshing for me, at that moment. I grabbed my camera and took a few shots. In a way, I was able to freeze that moment - keep it as a reminder to look in the shadows for the spot of life that will refresh my body and soul.