Grateful for Earth (TY-11)

 

When I think about our own solar system, only one planet out of nine sustains life! And, then I look among the stars and see all the billions and billions of stars (suns) in our Universe and wonder, how many planets are similar to our world? Are they filled with sentient beings and life as we know it? I am in awe with Earth and deeply appreciate all her resources and beauty. I am grateful for our magnificent world.

Earth is home not only to so many cultures of people, but also to a variety of life forms from single-celled organisms to towering, ageless trees. Organisms can be found in any environment on Earth, no matter how hostile it may be (such as deserts, arctic tundras and volcanoes), life forms have been found. Earth has nurtured all of us and she has provided for all of our needs. Furthermore, Earth is the only home we have; and, I intend to take care of my part of her. Thank you so much, Mother Earth.

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Grateful for Color (TY-2)

I am deeply grateful for color and the joy it has brought into my life starting with the first time I experienced sight and seeing my beautiful mother, my first toys, my indoor surroundings and then all the splendors of nature outdoors. I profoundly appreciate color. It delights me as I generously use it in all my artwork. I LOVE color!

Color plays a subtle yet significant role in our lives as it lends itself to how we view the world. Color, of course, would not be visible if it was not for light; so, I am equally grateful to light and its role in color (as well as our eyes…but I will save that for another blog). Color not only adds aesthetics but it also helps us to distinguish things.

A world without color would be bland as we would experience shades of gray with only light and contrast to help us differentiate things. Maybe some of you remember watching programs and movies on the now antiquated black and white television set; then later, television tubes were developed so they could transmit color. It was a marvelous transformation.

Color can also ignite our imagination, as well as, affect our emotions: reds and oranges energize us and blues and greens calm us. Color transforms our world and our lives in so many ways and on so many levels. I deeply appreciate all the color in my life. Thank you, color, for being so full and vivid and a part of the human experience.

 

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Message of Christmas – Connection

I took over 2oo photos on Christmas Day as I walked (with my husband and my puppy-dog) on the Noland Trail, which is part of the Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia. Each photo captured a beautiful moment in nature that are often invisible to us. The squirrel feasting on his Christmas meal stole my heart when I discovered this sight. It was quite a distance away, but I could hear the squirrel munching away. With the lens of my camera to assist my eye, I was in awe. We are all so deeply connected…people, nature, the material and the spiritual world. Christmas is the time of year that magically opens our senses to really see it. Merry Christmas.

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Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice

by Dr. Angela K. Orboko

The shortest day of the year approaches.
It is upon us, the dark winter solstice.

Some believe this may be the end of human time.
I know it to be the start of new reasoning and rhyme.

Love will rule our hearts as we help our sisters and brothers…
Of every religion, creed, culture and color.

The power’s within us to create a world of love, serenity and bliss.
All we need to do is BELIEVE it already exists.

Welcome the light as we approach Spring and Summer.
Yes, I know, our kin are already experiencing it, Down Under.

Happy Winter/Summer Solstice!

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Think Globally, Act Locally

One of the most wasteful times of the year occurs in December. Why do I say that? Simple. Increased local traffic to stores. More consumerism. PACKAGING and WRAPPING! There is more baking, cooking, visiting, etc.

Let us consider clever ways to reduce the amount of waste we generate. One of the most simple things we can consider is how we wrap our gifts to each other. One of my favorite things to do is use simple canvas bags as gift bags set with a colorful and festive fabric bow, both of which can be reused. Look  about your home and see what you can creatively use to wrap your gifts this year. Maybe you have some fabric you can use. How about using newspaper and collage it with colorful magazine pictures?

Maybe you can forgo material gifts. Perhaps you can give a gift of love and time instead by visiting and engaging in heartfelt conversations where your attention is undivided (yes, turn off that electronic device for an hour or so). Here is another wonderful possibility…share a skill with others by teaching them how to do something you are good at doing, such as: gardening, baking, crocheting, wood-working, scrap-booking, bird-watching, fishing, paper-crafting and so on and so forth.

Other ideas: Dovetail errands so you are using less gasoline; create more gifts instead of buying them from materials you already have at home; send e-cards via e-mail instead of sending paper cards through the mail; have a holiday gathering around a charity event or while being of service to the poor and the needy; etc.

What are some other things we could do to cut waste during this holiday season? The list is endless and the possibilities countless if you just put for five to ten minutes of thought into it. I came up with quite a few in the ten minutes I spent writing this article. Most of all, have fun with the ideas. The holidays of December are meant to be experienced with love, joy and reverence. Don’t stress. Merry Christmas! (Ten days away and counting down.)

 

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Appreciating Outdoors

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day! I had the opportunity to spend time outdoors as I walked with my husband and my fur-baby Sasha. I really appreciate the splendor that Nature has bestowed upon us. I am thankful that I had a chance to be outdoors today. I will cherish the memory as I took over 200 photographs. Check out the sampling of the multitude of  pictures I took during my 90 minute stroll. Toward the second half of my long walk, I was rewarded with the most spectacular sight…

a praying mantis!

 

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