Consider this

'Tell me, what is it 

you plan to do 

with your one wild 

and 

precious life?' 

              ~ Mary Oliver. 

Capturing the beautiful everyday

It is wet and cold. A perfect day for going outside with my camera and 

capturing the beauty that is all around. 

Hope you saw the beauty in your day. 

                                                                                    Jo xx

Welcome the unexpected visitors

The Guest House. 

This being human is a guest 

house. Every morning 

a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, 

some momentary awareness comes 

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and attend them all: 

Even if they're a crown of sorrows, 

who violently sweep your house 

empty of its furniture, still, 

treat each guest honourably. 

He may be clearing you out 

for some new delight. 

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.

Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. 

Be grateful for whatever comes

because each has been sent 

as a guide from beyond. 

                                                      ~ Rumi

.....................

I love this poem. It speaks to me of compassion, gentleness and grace. It encourages me to pay attention to all the feelings and emotions that come my way. Often unpleasant, difficult and challenging feelings and emotions that are pushed away or buried deep within. These words invite me to welcome them all. Pay attention to them and seek out what they are trying to say to me, teach me or where they want to lead me. I am invited to push past the condemnation and judgement and embrace what comes. I am invited to listen and show compassion to those visitors that want to share. I am invited to welcome them, offer them hospitality and then wait for what follows. 

It might be just what my soul was yearning for. 

                                                                      Jo xx

Thought for the day.

                                                                                                             Jo xx

Thought for the day.

Thought for the day.

Ordinary is extraordinary.

Make The Ordinary Come Alive. 

Do not ask your children

to strive for extraordinary lives.

Such striving may seem admirable.

but it is a way of foolishness.

Help them instead to find the wonder

and the marvel of an ordinary life.

Show them the joy of tasting

tomatoes, apples and pears.

Show them how to cry

when pets and people die.

Show them the infinite pleasure

in the touch of a hand.

And make the ordinary come alive for them.

The extraordinary will take care of itself.

                                                     ~ William Martin.