Tag Archives: nature

Jan14

Hang on. Or, Let go.

Posted on 01/14/2015 by Joan T Warren

Walking out from yoga class tonight, I stopped. A beautiful clutch of autumn leaves held on, unashamed to be the last among all that was gray and dismal.

It is January, in North Florida.

I thought of all the times that I’ve heard people say, “Hang on. . . just hang on.”

I thought of all the times I’ve heard people say, “Let go. . . just let go and let God.”

I thought about how many times it’s been good to hold on, and how many times it’s been good to let go.

I thought about the years I struggled, trying so hard to hold on, or trying so hard to let go. Because they said so.

Now, at peace. . . with letting go. . . with holding on. At peace with wherever a person is in that process.

When it is time to let go, you will know it, and you will be able to let go. When is time for you to hold on, you will know it, and you will be able to hold on.

So hold on, or let go.

Namaste, salmon leaves of January.

Namaste, Tree Maker.

Namaste, friends.

©Joan T. Warren

Oct20

Are you akin to kindness?

Posted on 10/20/2014 by Joan T Warren

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It’s not news; as far as history traces our interactions, we humans have had troubles with one another. We get ourselves tied in knots worrying about the latest news: a new terrorist group here, a gang murder there, racist violence and religious discord– just about everywhere. So-called civilized or savage, we are humans, and we have too often let our worst sides get the best of us.

I heard once that for every negative statement we give to another, that person needs at least ten positives to recover! I don’t know how much scientific research went into that number, but I do know this:

We flourish in an atmosphere of kindness.

Kindness is more than holding your breath while you give the homeless man a quarter. It is more than holding your tongue when you want to correct your coworker’s frequent mistakes. It’s even more than a side-hug and a cheek-kiss greeting when you’d rather not be there at all.

Read the rest of this entry →

Aug9

Feel with your Eyes

Posted on 08/09/2014 by Joan T Warren

Gallery

There is beauty all around us, if we look beyond the guise we can see it with our fingers we can feel it with our eyes we can smell it in a memory and appreciate the ties There are textures, scents and glories Whether near or far, the prize we can listen to its calling […]

Jun23

The Pause Between

Posted on 06/23/2014 by Joan T Warren

Image

Between back yard and front, is a place where I lay
things destined for garbage, things tattered and frayed
I pause there to notice
A beauty unseen
As nature embraces what I’d thrown away.

Joan T. Warren
For this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge, “Between.”

Jun2

This is Where

Posted on 06/02/2014 by Joan T Warren

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This is where blue meets blue, with open arms,
where rainbows signal safe from harm.

This is where dinosaurs meld into angel wings,
where sand crabs wiggle and sea gulls sing.

This is where sea turtles race to the moon at night,
where sailboats glide and swallows take flight.

This is where footprints hint the path behind,
where shoreline paints an easy line.

This is a place of reverence:

where things, once muddled, now make sense,

where troubles pale in light of Thee,

where souls connect in reverie–

a place of merging land and sea,

a place perspective calls to me.

photo courtesy of Denesia Christine

©Joan T. Warren

May11

On the Move: Church for Introverts

Posted on 05/11/2014 by Joan T Warren

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Fading fast, treasured steps and memories.
Church for introverts.

For WordPress Weekly Photo challenge,On the Move

Joan T. Warren
Randy’s iphone

May9

Lessons Without Walls

Posted on 05/09/2014 by Joan T Warren

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Blue succumbs to brilliant washes of orange, raspberry and violet–each tipped with glowing

golden aura. Not just above now, but reflected in the sea. Completeness. The sun melds into

the horizon with a final burst of resplendence, as a lover gives an extra squeeze to bid

adieu, “Remember me. I will return.”

Courtesy of Denesia Christine on Flicker

I believe. I will see you on the other side.

Night begins.

White. The presence of all colors, gentle light bears witness to the sun. Lifting dark veil,

illuminating field and glistening dew-tipped petals, smiling moon lights the way home. A

beacon, as a parent’s consolation to frightened child, “I’m here, baby, it’s okay.”

Courtesy of DenesiaChristine on Instagram

I believe. Safe, secure, through dark of night.

And the sun rises.

Sun and moon, seasons, cycles. Seed to tree, decay, fertile soil bears life again. Teachers,

all. Eager student, I, in wondrous reception, hoping to relay these glorious lessons, teacher,

student, teacher. Breathe in, breathe out. . .

Selah.

©Joan T. Warren

In response to this week’s WordPress writing challenge, to share our experience as

teachers, as students. Appropriately, for teacher appreciation week, too.

Aug10

The Wiggly Pine

Posted on 08/10/2013 by Joan T Warren

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This is a little rhyme for kids who are a bit different, whether they’re four, forty or a hundred and four. Its also for those who never had a problem growing really straight.

The Inspiration for The Wiggly Pine: See him? He’s in the middle just a couple of trees back in line.

The wiggly pine
couldn’t stand in line
while all the others stood still.
What made Him wiggle?
What made Him jiggle?
Why was he such a pill?

Why couldn’t he see
that to be a tree
he must stand straight and tall?
Why didn’t he know
that to really grow
he must not dare to fall? Read the rest of this entry →