Nature Life

Intimate details in nature

Willow Tree, #19

jpallen Nature Life , 4 Comments

This week I’ve been asking myself, what is the best way to prepare for something?

For example at work I prepared to work remotely from home. Our team prepared for the “problems” we will face to make our transition easier and took steps to resolve them. No one could think of anythings else; we were good to go. However, in reality, the self preparedness did not foresee most of the challenges that arose. Some of the preparedness helped, but most of the problems that came up were ones that were not realized ahead of time. They were unpredictable. Each team member’s problems were unique. They ended up working through their “problems” on their own. The result benefited the team.

My thoughts are about the effort and time I put into preparing for something that may or may not happen. These thoughts remove me from the moment at hand. As a result, I lose the truth of the moment and the ability to be present. I prepare to feel safe only to feel unsafe because I’ve set myself up for a perceived outcome, trying to predict the unpredictable.

Anxiously walking
In the park the old willow
quietly waiting

Windy days, #15

jpallen Nature Life , 0 Comment

The trail is dry and hard. I might think it is late summer if it were not for the cold gusts of a spring wind that makes me stumble off the trail finding something a dog left behind. Another gust of wind arrives and I stumble, almost stepping on small spring flowers. I arrive at a bench and sit, tighten the zipper of my coat, and place a hand in each pocket.

Cold Spring wind blowing
Tall grasses bend and shiver
Deep roots hold steady

A new day, #13

jpallen Mountains and Skies, Nature Life 4 Comments
Image-Dance goes on

I was reading a chapter titled “Live in the Present Moment,” when I was stuck by this quote, “Remember that this moment is not your life, it’s just a moment in your life.” (1) I thought to myself how this would be a good thing to share here in my blog. But as I thought about it more, the realization came that in the act of thinking about this, I went from being in the moment to not being in the moment!

I find this quote a good practice in these difficult times in the world and in my immediate surroundings; To feel gratitude for being present and to ask what I can do to flatten the curve while continuing to be social and offer assistance to my neighbors. I’ve reached out to neighbors and friends to offer friendship and an openness to ask if there is anything they need, responding as the moment requires. It also occured to me that to simply stop doing and to stay home is a compassionate act toward others, especially those that are at a higher risk.

Part of my practice is to be diligent and with intention be considerate of my neighbors. I look forward with curiosity about how the next several weeks will progress and how this event will shape our relationships with each other and this place we call home.

The wild grasses
Painted with a thin spring frost,
The morning light pops!

 

(1) Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle is the Way (Penguin group, 2014)
48

Morning Winter Sun, #8

jpallen City Life, Nature Life , 1 Comment

First image in the light in dark investigation:

Image - Moon Sun Fading

Winter air frozen
sleeping berries sun fading
morning moon rises

Last image of the light in dark investigation:

Image - Morning moon sun fading

Snow-Mountain blankets
blossoms awaken moon fades
morning winter sun

As spring approaches morning walks have given way to light from dark. This is the opposite of when I started this investigation last fall when the morning gave way to dark from light. I invite you to view the gallery of images of the journey between here:

Click here to view the Light in Dark gallery

Stone Bridge Crossing, #7

jpallen City Life, Nature Life 0 Comment
Cityscapes: Stone Bridge Crossing

There has been a lot going on this week at work, in the local community, and in our worldly ways that have left me feeling drained and tired. It is in these times I usually push back only to end up getting lost in all of the noise.

I recently read a blog post on silence where I found myself thinking, as I have in the past, that I can maintain a silence through all this and keep going. But I end up finding the energy misused and lost along with any possibilities.

But reading on about silence in the post, there was a recognition that when practicing, taking time to stop, take care, and rest, the attachment loosens. In taking this time to become unattached, there is an acceptance of things that begin to blur the lines of separation between them.

When rested and clear that energy becomes part of us, with no separation while participating at work, in the community, and the world, in a compassionate space of possibility. Silently.

Snow moon reflecting
Rushing river dewdrops cross
Stone bridge of grasses

Passing Winter Breeze, #6

jpallen Nature Life , 0 Comment
Mountains and Waters: Passing Winter Breeze

Cold temperatures have returned to the Palouse for the time being. My walk to the tea shop was much cooler today than the walk I took last week on my way to have tea with a friend. During our visit my friend shared something that made me think of intention. Afterwards I wasn’t so sure and asked myself, “What would it be like to take a photograph of intention?” So I set out to do the opposite of what I usually do. Rather then let the photograph come in the moment, I tried to intentionally take a photograph of “intention.” The week went by and I had not taken a single photograph. Finally I did take a photograph, but it wasn’t what I set out to do. The photograph I took happened in the moment when I stopped being intentional.

Looking up ‘intention’ in the dictionary I found these common words: purpose, goal, target, and aim. This to me was the opposite of my experience. When I made it a goal to get a picture, it didn’t happen, but when I let go of that intention on one of my walks later in the week, I was open to experience my surroundings.

During that same week I was considering a lifestyle change because of an offer I received at work. Because of this, my work day experience shifted. I stopped thinking of my future at work. I found myself focused during meetings and projects, helping and feeling gratitude for others rather than being concerned about a process or a perceived outcome of a project or task. There was a letting go of what I thought were my intentions, of goals and targets. Instead my ‘intention’ became an awareness of my actions with no goals or targets. For the first time in a while, I experienced a peaceful joy on the job.

Now I wonder, what possibilities did I miss last week that were right there with me when looking to photograph intention?

Fallen leaf floating
the frozen grasp of waters
Passing winter breeze

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