Impressions

Mysterious and enticing

We are drawn into a world of muted colours

Soft, dreamlike shapes take form

Like folds of flowing satin

Could there be a pearl hidden within?

So many frills and curves

in a beautiful Amaryllis

We Need to Be Ready

"For things to reveal themselves to us,

we need to be ready

to abandon our views about them."

Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Master

I love this phrase because it helps me let go of all preconceived ideas

of what I think things are and how they should be.

With an empty mind and an abstract eye,

I'm able to enter into the essence of a subject.

The image above was taken down by the lake, and what drew me in completely

were the gorgeous dancing reflections on the side of the boat

created by the moving water.

I stayed in this spot for a long moment, just immersing myself

in the beauty and aliveness of what was before me.

Wavy reflections

 and a contemplative mood

All yellow and blue

It was a windy day and the colourful bunting drew my attention

towards the sky.

There's something incredibly joyful about bunting flapping in the wind,

don't you think?

It's true, when we abandon our views

things are revealed to us in a truly magical way.

Take the Time

I stretch my arms wide

to embrace a new day

a new dawn

a new year!

Against the blue of an unencumbered sky, 

a silhouetted branch shows me a journey ahead

with many choices of side paths along the way.

The choice is mine.

Many people like to choose an inspirational word for a new year.

I have noticed that short phrases speak to me better.

They take me by the hand and lead me to pastures new.

Take the time to live each moment fully

just the way it comes to me.

This is an idea which speaks to me in all areas of my life.

Taking the time to drop everything when a magical lighting

draws me out of my home.

How to resist this sky, the silhouetted trees and houses

and those suspended street lamps which say:

"Follow us, follow us and you will never lose your way!"

Just before Christmas, I joined my family in the mountains.

The wide view of the valley and the surrounding scenery 

showed me a view on a larger scale to the one I see in the city every day.

I love the lights on the roads and in the homes

which illuminate the hills as night advances.

I was up early to witness and enjoy the sunrise on the mountain tips

from the terrace of the chalet.

Back to my neighbourhood to find the beauty in my own environment

and take in the gracefulness of the tree silhouettes at sunset.

Taking the time to slow down and catch those golden rays

of the setting sun shining through glass on a small building.

The weather-vane shows me a direction, 

but I know how changeable it is - according to which way the wind blows.

I like this unpredictability

which is just like life!

So I smile and just follow the light

and know I can't go wrong!

A pure white full moon

shining brightly in the sky, a mandala

waiting for me to design the pattern of my year.

I will start in the middle and work my way outwards

choosing my colours with care.

This photo was taken on my balcony on December 25th.

But for now,

the time has come to lift up my anchor and sail.

Let the adventure begin!