The exploration of my interior world has been a long one. In the beginning, my ‘goal’ was to understand why I kept repeating patterns in relationships. The experiences of the past forty years have presented me with many teachers. I have come, finally, to understand that the path I have chosen has no end point – no finish line – no nirvana.
The death scare last February shook my inner world to the core. Knowing time is finite, my focus has shifted from having a Goal, to living the years I have been given, with Intention.
These will no doubt change, yet as of now, I intend to live with kindness, attuned to my heart. To lean into happiness and creativity. To live in connection, first with myself, which will enable space to be connected with an other. To notice the humor of being human. To be of service from a place of fullness. To experience restful sleep and a quiet mind. To trust my inner knowing and the wisdom of the Universe.
Growth does not happen in a vacuum. I need my friendships to create the opportunity to rub up against our differences and observe my responses. The path is lumpy. It can be frustrating. I can lose myself, forget my intentions and spend a sleepless night.
When I have immersed myself in another’s way of being and abandoned myself, I feel momentarily lost. This poem by David Wagoner, is a guide for me.
LOST
“Stand still.
The trees ahead and the bushes beside you are not lost.
Wherever you are is called Here,
and you must treat it as a powerful stranger, must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers, I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost.
Stand still. The forest knows where you are.
You must let it find you.”
Stories & Pictures 
Lovely poem E, and beautiful photos. Did you get that close to the wildlife? Do you see them when you ride Luna? I like your thoughts, life IS precious, and fragile. Hugs, T
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Hi T – I was close to the sheep and I have a fixed, fast lens that captures details – the piece of grass in his mouth – for example. Alas, when I ride Luna in ‘civilization’ we only see raptors, wild geese and bunnies! Thank you for commenting 🙂 Love E
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BEAUTIFUL! Love this David Wagoner Poem ! Kado has a T-shirt that says….
“GET LOST Sylvania Lakes Wilderness” My favorite shirt
WOWWIE WOW WOWZA – that big horn sheep is fabulous! Did you find him near Moab? Or maybe the Colorado Monument? He is WONDERFUL!
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The Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction – I called it the gateway to Utah 🙂
Big Hugs to you and Kado!
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Hi Elizabeth,Thank you for sharing your “Stories & Pictures” and thoughts and emotions with “us”. I’m not sure how blogs or podcasts or on-line journals really work, though. There is a button to click to “comment”. But do you want your readers to comment about what you said? To share their own thoughts and stories? Offer advice? Offer sympathy? I always worry that after you have “poured out your heart” to us, we remain silent. Do you then feel that we don’t care? I just wanted you to know that I appreciate what you say (and of course your photography!!!). I am drawn into your world for a minute or two as I read and think about you and hope you are doing well (as you often – but not always – express that you are). So, here I am, a reader and casual, brief friend from your past, saying I read ALL your posts and seriously think about them and you and am glad you are sharing them. Oh, as a side note: every time I see a photograph of a horse, I also think of you and that yours are better. Barbara Berryman
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Very poignant, my dear friend
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Thank you, Dahlin
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Dear Barbara – first I will never forget a fellow photographer and Lumper! Second, that is very sensitive to realize how it felt, at first, to have silence from my readers. I have grown into not expecting a comment and totally enjoy it when one is written – so keep letting the stories move you and let me know the way in which you related to the issue,
I write to share my personal journey as a model for others who may be taking similar steps. I don’t need advice or comfort. I receive nourishment simply by writing and photographing and putting them out there in the universe.
I don’t use SEO”s – search engine optimization – as I am fine with a few interested readers, like yourself.
I’m not taking adds or any form of money as most bloggers do. If an ad pops up – I won’t know it.
Thank you for reading as well as your lovely comments. Hugs EL
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YES! YES!! And the photos are stunning!
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