The Gathering Tree

Gather ‘round my friends
Gather ‘round this tree
She has a story to tell us
Not just for you but me

She’s been here for awhile
She stands tall, and firm and strong
She’s been through many seasons
The winds have come and gone

She’s seen the snow of winter
And the muggy summer dawn
She’s been a bit neglected
Her limbs are overgrown

She reaches for the heavens
But her roots run far and deep
She has a message for you now
So come and take a seat

She wants to share her wisdom
What she wishes for you to see
She wants you to look within yourself
Don’t follow the floating leaf

Inside your heart is the answer
The knowledge which you seek
A tree doesn’t seem to be moving
But she’s growing underneath

Don’t run from the heartache
Don’t be afraid of the pain
Every storm cloud has a gift
The rainbow comes after the rain

Lift your eyes and stand up tall
Put your face into the wind
Place your feet upon the ledge
Don’t be afraid to dive in

Look within the shadows
Dive into the deep
Grab the gift she has for you
And return back to your feet

You see, my lovely child…
We all will face some trouble
Become burdened and distressed
But if we stare it in the face
It’s there we’ll find some rest


Chasing the Sun

 

I wound up in the desert
Just before daylight
Where the Joshua trees grow
A little place with magnificent light.
I found some peace of mind,
I found a piece of me.
I found that if I chase the Son,
He'll help me find my wings.
I stood out in the desert,
in the wind and in the cold,
I wandered out into that place
and discovered I am bold.
In the middle of the desert
Out among the sand
I lifted my face towards the Son
and He gently took my hand.
He told me I was courageous.
He told me not to fear.
He told me just to spread my wings,
For He would always be here.
I don't have to be afraid of the shadows,
and I don't need to hide.
Only from within the darkness
do you truly appreciate the light.

 

In the Valley

It was inevitable.

Spending as much time as I have behind the camera in search of new locations and things of beauty it was inevitable that I would progress, not only to a new blog for my "Photo Obsession" but also for a new endeavor.

I have been on a journey for awhile now. Both spiritual and emotional. It has taken me through peaks and valleys, crooked paths, and blind corners; but finally I have reached the summit and I can look back on the depth of the valley and smile.
As I look back it occurs to me how beautiful the valley is from this vantage. Although the journey was at times, dark and painful and I couldn't see the light from the deep, I kept going. I found a path out of that valley and it led me to the fountain and it led me to the light. I have found my gift in that valley and I am forever grateful for the struggle. The journey has been a transformation of my soul. I wrestled with ghosts and faced my demons and come to terms with the things that used to cause shame. I embraced my dark shadows and accept them because they offer the contrast to the light. Only once you've seen the darkness can you fully appreciate the light.

I have been in search of the light all along. I've felt a draw towards the morning and evening light throughout this journey. It speaks to me. It comforts me. It centers me and it soothes me. This blog and my new endeavor of Creative Mind Images is the result of that quest. I'm excited to share my experiences and adventures and especially those moments when I capture the light.

Abandoned

I’ve been abandoned.
I am left open,
Unable to close off the outside.
The entrance is dark
and the space is bare.
There's a hollow in me
and I'm cold.
The clouds have rolled in
and cover this lonely place,
Foretelling what lies beneath.
The dry, harsh terrain
that was once full of life
pricks and presses its silent warning,
guarding what's left inside.
My once strong walls are battered
and worn from the
beating they've endured.
They appear shabby
and unable to protect
yet they tenderly guard what remains.
I am broken and bruised
and standing alone.
But I am standing.
I will not fall.
The winds may come
and pelt me with sand
but through it all
I will remain.

Footprints in the Sand

"Someone said they might have seen you
where the ocean meets the land
So I've been out here all night lookin'
for your footprints in the sand
Did you hear the ocean singing,
baby did you sing along
While you danced out in the water
to some ol' forgotten song,
Were you even here at all?..."
Kenny Chesney
El Cerrito Place




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In the Midst of the Mist


January 17, 2013

The clouds roll in like a flood.
Slowly, Silently filling the space.
High and low they push forward
enveloping me with mist.
The sky is lowering.
I see it coming,
pressing down against my skin.
The light has dimmed.
I can't see the road ahead.
How long will the clouds hover?
How long will they press in?
I know there is still light above.
I know the skies are still blue.
I want to spread my wings and fly,
but I'm bound in my cloudy cocoon.

The Road to You

January 11, 2013

I see you there... In the distance.
Hiding above the horizon.
Will this road that dips and winds lead me to you? On such a day, when the sky is grey and the road is long, will you be there when I come to you? 
 Please don't go. I'm on my way.
I want to see your brilliant face.
Wait for me.
I don't know how long it will take,
but I'm on my way to you...






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The Messenger

December 18, 2012
Edwards AFB, CA

This falcon had a message for me. I didn't see it on this day... it was a few weeks later when I spotted a flock of Canadian Geese flying overhead that I was reminded of his appearance and I understood.

I was walking along the sidewalk and this beautiful creature swooped down in front of me, wings spread wide as he dipped and lifted, and he perched himself up on this branch, turned his head towards me and stared at me. I could see his eyes and was amazed that he was just sitting there... looking at me. He didn't make an attempt to leave, only watched me as I grabbed my phone and took a few shots of him.  I thought it was just "cool" at that moment that I had seen him and that he wasn't afraid of me. I wasn't until I spotted the geese a few weeks later that this falcon spoke to my heart.

The falcon (and the geese) soar from a higher perspective. They are both a symbol of victory and rising above a situation. They see things from afar and make calculated decisions about which course to take. This beautiful bird reminded to not look at things from my level... while i'm in the midst of the muck and miry; but to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective. Once I'm above the situation I'll be able to see the purpose for it, learn a lesson from it, and be stronger for it.