Being in the Moment

For now. Just as it is.

Yesterday is a done deal. 

Tomorrow has not yet arrived. 

The grace of today is a gift to be relished and appreciated. 

Nature Speaks

At 6:30 am

Same plant, 5:00 pm

The folding of the petals of these yellow flowers means that night is almost here. For some other plants it's the other way around. Even without the trappings of man-made objects to make our lives easier, if we learn to rest and be quiet observers of nature, we flow with the seasons, transitioning from moment to moment, today to tomorrow. 

Flowers know when to exuberantly give of their beauty, opening up to the world, receiving admiring guests and bees invited, drawn by its treasures. They also know when to gently fold their petals, and softly shut out the rest of the world.

Precious Time Wasting

"As far as I know, you only get one shot at this life. It only goes round once and time is precious."

                                                                                   ~ Benjamin Bratt

What is precious? Gold, silver, money, the baubles and sparkling things of this world? Yes, indeed. Yet no  man on his deathbed wished he had more. Time is a precious commodity for the driven --- to accumulate more. Yet, time though precious, is also good to waste every now and then on doing absolutely nothing. My friend Joy took the photo of these roadside flowers as a handful of us were taking a morning stroll. What beauties capture the eye if only we take some of our precious time and toss it away in meaningful stress-relieving ways.

Perspective

“Earth teach me to forget myself 

as melted snow forgets its life. 

Earth teach me resignation 

as the leaves which die in the fall. 

Earth teach me courage 

as the tree which stands all alone. 

Earth teach me regeneration 

as the seed which rises in the spring.” 

― William Alexander

Simple Delights

“God made the world for the delight of human beings-- if we could see His goodness everywhere, His concern for us, His awareness of our needs: the phone call we've waited for, the ride we are offered, the letter in the mail, just the little things He does for us throughout the day. As we remember and notice His love for us, we just begin to fall in love with Him because He is so busy with us -- you just can't resist Him. I believe there's no such thing as luck in life, it's God's love, it's His.” 

-Mother Teresa, A Simple Path: Mother Teresa

How can anyone not be inspired by Mother Teresa. She had such a deep, deep, deep sense of the goodness of God that translated into the goodness she has done for the world. Truly, as i appropriate her perspective --- goodness is everywhere. 

I  close my February days with gratitude for the grace accorded me: the gift of life, family, friends, the good and not-so-good days, a safe trip, the white wall with green flower cutouts, and a cup of tea.

Serenity is a Choice

Here's a photo of lovely Taal Volcano. Taking it from what is actually its rim, i am mesmerized. There are just some sights that draw you over and over --- even if you had seen it a thousand times. What is so special is that this volcano is actually active and yet shows itself to be a source of peace and quiet especially at dusk. Of course, the place is abuzz with local tourists hanging out, not to mention a lady near me who was in the midst of some argument over her mobile phone. That didn't matter. I had my perfect little spot behind this burger and pizza joint. With something like this to behold, i was able to compartmentalize the noise and enjoy what was before me. I realize that i can choose what to focus on: the chatter of excitable college kids, the on-going stressed out conversation behind me, or this work of wonder right before my eyes.

Truly, in the midst of our day-to-day chaos, we can choose serenity.

Be Still

I love this photo. Took it just this weekend at some hideaway place. It speaks of an elusive simplicity of heart -- that of being still, that of being surrendered. No judgments. Taking everything -- both the dark, and the light -- just as they are.

Be still and know that i am God.

Be still and know that i am.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.