Forest Bathing

Some years back, an old friend shared about the wonders of forest bathing.  Well, it seems that I've been doing that for a long time.

Just never called it forest bathing.

Being mindful with Nature, being in touch with sights, smells, sounds, and touch of Nature has been part of me since childhood.

But the reminder to be conscious of every step, sound, smell, sight, and touch helps to bring one back to being part of the greater universe.

Go back to Nature but with a more conscious mind.  And be aware of all around.

Harvest Moon

The Harvest Moon came up just before the Autumn Solstice.

Life has been challenging for the past few months and the pandemic has worsen everything in life.

For the sake of the future of the next generation, we struggle on; as our forebears did for us and their forebears did for them.

And the moon looks from the heavens and say, "This too shall pass."

Sunrise

Always great to rise with the sun and catch the first rays, especially over water.
Reminds me of the quiet of a day of possibilities.

Knowing that in a while, the harsh realities of the day will hit. But holding on the hope that things will be all right in the end.

That is what is known as Faith.

Overcoming Challenges

In today's tumultuous world, survival means being resilient. Overcoming odds to survive.

Having a life is another thing altogether.

Morning Glory

His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand,
And there is the hiding of Hos powers.
Habakkuk 3:4

And such is the glory He shows each day.

Wonder

How often does the greatness of creation pass us by? How often are we so caught up with the work that surround us that we forget to appreciate people and our surroundings?

Pause. Stop and smell the flowers.

Purple Memories

So much of our lives are centered around the dominant primary colours of red, yellow and blue.

We sometimes forget about the lavender, the beige, the turquoise, the amber...

We do the same with people.

Seeing only some and not paying attention to others.

Time to think deeply and reflect a lot.

Between Moments

In the quiet of the early morning hours, 

I reach into the crack of time

 between

 the rising of the sun and the setting of the moon.

Life is a transition,

a constant transition,

between 

the certainty of yesterday gone and

the promise and hope and fear

of a tomorrow to come.

Solitary

There are times in our lives when the silence is preferred over the company of friends. 

Humanity's Minute-ness

As we stand in the face of the wonders of the land,

we stand in appreciation of how small we stand in the greater realm of just this one Earth.

And when we wonder in awe of all Creation,

we are less than a grain of sand on the beaches of everything.

Wide Open Spaces

The wide open spaces shouldn't be just limited to the physical world nut the mental spaces in our minds.

Oh beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties,
Above the fruited plain.

Wonder of God's Creation

Been away too long.


The frightening thought of how much work life eats into our day tires me.


A need to refocus came with a reminder in the morning sky today.


God has bigger plans than the daily grind at work.


Stop.  Look.  Listen.


To your heart, to your mind, to your soul.


Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2

Wonder of God's Creation

Been away too long.


The frightening thought of how much work life eats into our day tires me.


A need to refocus came with a reminder in the morning sky today.


God has bigger plans than the daily grind at work.


Stop.  Look.  Listen.


To your heart, to your mind, to your soul.


Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2

Choices

In life, we are often faced with choices. One that will benefit us, one that will grief us.

We know not when which of these would be the correct decision.



Nonetheless, we make the choice.

No matter work the outcome is, we still have to choose.

Morning in the Tropics

Good to get out in the morning in the tropics and catch a little sunshine and warmth before the day gets too hot and humid.

Just about the time to catch the sun rising and the birds come through the morning air with their song.

This is probably one of the two best times in the tropics.  That one moment when Nature awakes.




The other best time comes as the sun sets - that brief moment before the world plunges into darkness and the jungle comes alive with new sounds and noises that trembles the human souls.




But for now, savor the morning freshness as the earth dries itself of the dew that comes from the night's cool air.

Most cats sit with
their paws crossed; not this one!

Such regality, such aloofness.


Cats - not a great fan of them.


But I must admit that out of their nonchalant attitude and their "devil-may-care" personality, cats are interesting creatures.




Each with its own pattern on the fur, each with its own "as if I care" look.


Not much different from most humans I know.

Rise with the Birds

It was a crummy evening yesterday when the car broke down and had to be towed away for repairs. As I scrambled to make alternative transport arrangements this morning, I ended up at the office long before the first rays of the morning sun turned the sky ablaze.

It's peaceful now. The air is fresh with a hint of the morning rain. I can even smell fragrance of the Water Jasmine around me.  In the skies, the birds are breezing through the morning air, chirping away like the world belongs to them.

It's really peaceful in the early morning hours before the mad rush of the work day overtakes us and stresses us out. I now understand better why Grandma would rise long before everyone to take her cup of tea outside in the morning chill - it's that hour when one can be most at peace with the world.

Solemn Bird

A toucan, strange looking with with excessively large beak.

Yet beautiful in many ways.

How often do we judge others merely by the way they look?

How often do we judge ourselves?

Looking Back, Looking Forward

We are always looking back even as we are moving forward. The back is the past we leave behind - familiar settings, familiar people, familiar things.

Ahead of us lies the unknown, the uncertain, the fears.

White cliffs of Dover, in leaving England for an adventure ahead.

We also remember that in our cars, the windshield in front of us is a lot bigger than the rearview mirror we use to look behind us.

Then, let this be a reminder that while we will still look back, it's the front - the future - that beckons in our journeys.

The mysteries, the excitement, the adventure that awaits.

Balance

The yin and the yang, the good and the evil, the ups and the downs, the strengths and the weaknesses - all bear witness, not of one force opposing the other. Rather, it is of one force working with the other to create the equilibrium.

To create the balance.