Thursday, February 23, 2012

Leaning to the Sun's Kiss...


"The naked earth is warm with Spring,
And with green grass and bursting trees
Leans to the sun's kiss glorying,
And quivers in the sunny breeze."

- Julian Grenfell

My childhood was spent "back East" until my folks moved us all to the West coast. All these years later I still look for the strong indication that a season has changed. In California I need to look closer for those changes, which also seems to allow for me to cultivate a higher regard for life's small beauties during any transition.

Where ever you are today... I wish you small glories and quivers of goodness as you "lean to the sun's kiss"...

Thursday, February 16, 2012

The Red Wheelbarrow...


The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends
upon

a red wheel 
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens.

- William Carlos Williams



My father, who passed away some time ago, left me with a particular legacy of having a high regard for red wheelbarrows. The color red was important, as was the simple timeless functionality. When I spot a red wheelbarrow, or re-read time and again William Carlos Williams' The Red Wheelbarrow poem, my father flits back into my life like a bird on the wing. Others never really leave us... 

yes... so much depends upon a red wheelbarrow...and I am grateful...


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Love this Moment...


"Love this moment,
and the energy of this moment
will spread beyond all boundaries."

- Corita Kent

I happened upon these sweet pansies with a joyful teardrop of remaining rain glistening in the late afternoon sunshine... I loved the simplicity of the moment so much I wanted to share it... I hope you enjoy...

Monday, February 6, 2012

Valiant Stair-step Strives...



It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly,
who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions,
and spends himself in a worthy cause;
who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement;
and who at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly,
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.


- Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt



Simply, and with great hearts of dedication, all across our country (and other countries) former excellent executives are clicking computer keys - letter by letter - working hard to sharpen their technology skills. Hands that long ago worked hard to move up steps to well-earned supervision placement, have returned to once again feel the deep ache and notable satisfaction of manual labor; only now their bodies have grown older (yet they have found a strength they had not realized still remained). Former outstanding managers, who treated others with profound respect, have cultivated an even greater skill of respectfulness as they have endured the scrutiny of interview evaluations, or even the emptiness of no response. The now-common term "homeless" has spread a wide net in unthinkable ways; yet, it has also more clearly and graciously redefined what "home" is really about. 

As Teddy Roosevelt so succinctly points out, the steps to recovery exist in each dedicated individual who remains in the arena - no matter how small an action. Each time we click a computer key to learn new skills, or endure another interview or rejection, or revisit work that we thought we had grown beyond, we cultivate remarkable grace and fortitude for our futures. And home is what lives within each of us - we can choose to say: "My home is right here within me in the form of love and comfort I give out to others." 

And all of those precious whispered vows and promises to "carry on" are becoming the stair-steps to a greatness that is just beginning to unfold... I have hope. I hope you do, too...




(The stair-steps in the photo were taken at the Santa Barbara Mission - those steps have marked time and the perseverance of many - most prominently the Franciscan Friars - since the early 1800s... something to think about...)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Becoming A Blessing...


"The buddha seed is the part of everyone that has the capacity for wisdom....

Knowing that a buddha seed is present in everyone changes the way we see things. We are all more than we seem. Many things do not wear their true nature on their sleeve. What you can see and touch about an acorn, its color, its weight, its hardness, length, and width will never hint at the secret of its potential. This secret is not directly measurable, but given the proper conditions over time it may become visible.

There is a natural yearning towards wholeness and wisdom in us all as well. This varies in strength from person to person. It may be quite conscious in some and deeply buried in others; it may form the focus of one life and lie on the periphery of another, but it is always there. Wholeness is a basic human need."

- Becoming A Blessing 
from 
"My Grandfather's Blessings"
by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.

I read this passage yesterday evening once again, and savored the sweetness of the "buddha seed" message. I am reminded of it as I look at a spring bulb and understand that what I am seeing at that moment is not its ultimate beauty and potential... knowing this allows me to cultivate patience and kind regard for the blessing that is coming...I am glad and grateful...

About Me

My photo
I have always been inspired by my Grandfather's particular generosity and encouragement, along with his love for others and nature. His spirit lives on, and the influence is quietly with me as I write and share. This is my small offering that I pray will bless others and allow them to become Simply Inspired. warmly, karen -xok.

Each day provides its own gifts.

- Marcus Aurelius

Thank you for visiting with me here...welcome.

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Unless otherwise indicated, the photos and writings are by Karen Holmes. You may link; however, the material on this blog is copyrighted and requires consent for duplication. For permission to use information from this site, please contact Karen Holmes via email. Thank you for your consideration.