Everyday Heroes

When you think of heroes you think of policemen, firefighters, doctors, nurses, or soldiers; maybe you think of comic book heroes. Sure they all do heroic things but there are Everyday Heroes too, heroic in their own ways.

I think of the young man who has a bad knee yet walks to work everyday; the young woman that struggles to get around even with her walker, but is so proud of her independence. There is the guy that is going to spend his whole day in a wheelchair but is the first one out of bed in the morning and the older gentleman that is 20 years older than normal retirement age but would not think of missing a day of work.

I could go on forever but I think I have made my point. These people are my everyday heroes. They are heroes not because it is their job, but because it is their life and they overcome these obstacles until they are no longer thought of as obstacles. Thank you for your inspirations.

Listening to Autumn

One warm November morning I was sitting in the tea house my wife and I built. A small fire was burning in the fire pit and my two dogs were keeping me company. I’m the luckiest man I know to get to enjoy a morning like this.

While sitting here collecting my thoughts and counting the blessings of the week I realized I was not alone. Have you ever thought of the silence of the early morning? There isn’t any. Just sit and listen.

The birds chirping, whistling, and calling to each other; they sound so content. Even with winter approaching they are very happy, like just being alive is reason enough for such joy. I just saw a male cardinal; even his red feathers were loud.

There is a light breeze so you can hear the leaves of the bamboo whispering to each other. A wind chime sounds a few yards from here. The winds music from a new made instrument. One has to wonder if the notes are really so random or if the Spirit of the Wind is just that talented. Leaves fall from a few of the trees. They make a tiny crackle as they bump each other on the way to that big crashing noise they make when they hit the ground. All that noise created by one little puff of wind.

There is a small stream nearby. You can not see it through the bamboo but you can almost imagine you can by listening to the water. A small two foot waterfall feeds the stream. The sounds of the waterfall and the quiet gurgling of the water over the rocks in the stream are some of the most peaceful sounds in nature. The sound is always there, yet it is forever changing, soothing souls where ever it goes.

A train off in the distance, I wonder where it is going. I see a hawk circling in the sky. I was going to take a nap but with all this noise I want to stay awake to enjoy the show. You should take time to enjoy a good morning, not with coffee and a newspaper, but nature’s way. It will heal your soul and soothe your spirit.

Sweet Rags, not!

This is one of the photos that I entered in the West Texas Fair Photography Contest. I don't usually take black and white digital photos but since Rags is black, white, and gray I thought it was a nice composition.

There were so many enteries in the Photography Contest, so I probably won't see any of mine displayed but I'll post them here.

Update: I didn't win any ribbons, but I did have several of my photos displayed during the fair.

Fireflies in the Morning

I sit, I watch and listen to the sunrise and all it brings. My two dogs sit with me in our tea house. As the dawn grows brighter I hear the birds begin to awaken. Their pleasant whistles and calls are filled with optimism for the new day. You can imagine they always arise in a good mood.

I notice a spider web glistening in the early sun. I realize that some small creature worked all through the night to create this geometric wonder. Work and toil all night and this achievement may not make it through the day, but never discouraged the spider will do it all again tonight, for that is what a spider does. Imagine if you were to create and build, on the proper scale, something of this magnitude. Most would be defeated before they begin.

The sunlight begins to filter through the bamboo leaves. I notice there was a heavy dew last night. I sat studying a drop of dew on a bamboo leaf then something caught my eye. The sunlight striking the dew looked like fireflies twinkling, not in the dark of night, but in the bright morning sun. This display did not last long but I was able to capture it in my mind to enjoy all day long.

I realize not everyone has an opportunity to begin their day like this. Even I do not every day. A new day beginning like this is a gift from God. My gift to you is to share the moment in time with you. My lesson to you is to stop and enjoy a moment such as this and carry it with you all day. Your day will be much better and you will be much happier. That will make everyone around you much happier. Peace makes room for love.


Zen

Dusk in the garden -- lite by one of Roger's handcrafted cement lanterns.

New Blog

I've recently noticed how many blogs are out there and so I've taken the big step to start a blog!

My husband and I enjoy our little patch of green when we're not having to deal with the bamboo and trumpet vine that insist on trying to take over the backyard.

This is one of my husband's poems:

Spirits in the Garden

In the garden everything has a spirit

These can be healing spirits if given the chance

Open your mind

An open mind is ready to be filled by these healing spirits

Sit quietly and listen

You will be soothed by the sound of water

Reassured by the sound of the wind in the trees

Set at ease by the rustling of the leaves in the bamboo

and become filled with peace by the harmony of the garden

These are powerful spirits

Do not take them lightly

Zen’s Thoughts