Month / February 2021

by Janet

Happening NOW

“Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. Make it your friend and ally, not your enemy.”

—Eckhart Tolle

THINGS ARE HAPPENING NOW!

I’m really excited about the letter “H,” because things lit up when I thought of the word happening. After re-reading my last post, Grounded, I noticed some negativity and a little self-criticism in my words. That got me to thinking.

I criticize myself a LOT. My images, my words, my thoughts, my actions… it’s like they’re always on the seat of judgement, and I am the head juror—the accuser—ready to convict and condemn. Well… I am done with that!

I love the fact that I’m back in school and pursuing my goals and dreams. One way that I’ve looked at it is that I’m finally learning the art of “delayed gratification.” I spent my earlier years (like the first 50) jumping into action because of what those actions had to offer me immediately, so taking time out to focus on something that will shape my future is ideal.

But then I looked at it from another perspective, thinking that doing something for the benefit of my future was preventing me from living in the NOW. So, there I was… ready to criticize myself again. How apropos!

What I realized, when thinking of the word happening, is that whatever it is I am doing in the present moment—no matter WHAT that is—is what is happening. It doesn’t matter what it is, where I’m doing it, how, or even WHY. It just IS, because it is happening.

So I will embrace whatever is happening, just as I am embracing what is happening right now… as I write this post. Because that is what is happening at the moment, and in the moment is a beautiful place to be.

—Janet

ABOUT THE iPHONE IMAGE

I finally broke out of my comfort zone (which is my comfy couch) and took a walk on a brand new bike path in my neighborhood (like right next door). The featured image is what I saw when I reached the end of the trail, so I took a shot with my iPhone. The effect is appropriate to me because it’s like an urban sketch, showing off the lines in an interesting mix of concrete and nature.

I’m adding a new category to my site for these iPhone images because, although the composition is all me, I can’t take credit for the effects. They can be done in 15-30 seconds with the right app, and this one was done in Graphite, by BeCass‪o. I’ve been checking out quite a few and I really enjoy the effects that are available on this particular app… for $14 a year. Just sayin’.

That’s about all for now. Thank you for stopping by and I’ll see you again soon!

by Janet

Grounded

Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.

Thich Nhat Hanh

I’m back with my series Life: From A to Z, and I’m on the letter “G” today. I’ve decided that I don’t want to make a habit of being too wordy on these posts—not unless I have something riveting or profound to say, that is.

I thought of the word grounded because I find myself blogging “hastily” at times—rushing to get something finished and published, even if I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about my thoughts and what I want to say.

I think of grounded as being the opposite of that—taking your time and really contemplating something before you jump in. Being present, and making sure that you know what you want to do, and how to do it. I think it’s kind of like balance, in a sense.

That being said, I’m going to really think things over as I move through the rest of the alphabet. For the word grounded, I mainly wanted to do an illustration. My dancer is kissing the Earth with her feet, as Thich Nhat Hanh would say. She is moving with grace and maintaining balance with ease. And, best of all, she is so grounded that the Earth is reaching up to meet her.

I hope you enjoy! Peace & Love to you…

Thank you for reading and I’ll see you in a few days for the letter “H.”