I learn a lot from watching nature. Take geese for example. They have no complex language (as far as well know) and yet they seem to have the ability to maintain social cohesion. Maybe not as perfectly as some other birds but they do seem to function as a single unit. What’s more is that they seem to take turns at being the leader with relatively little conflict. If you watch closely as that V formation flies over or swims by they shift position with the leader creating a wake for the rest of flock to cruise in. I know the science of how it helps them to travel farther but it amazes me how there’s cooperation. I think that the secret is that each bird knows that their own well being is dependent on the well being of the flock. In turn, the well being of the flock depends on the well being of the individual. If the flock loses a member that means that the unit can’t travel as efficiently during migration. I think it’s the interdependency between leadership and followers that maintains the balance. That’s a lesson we should all learn.
Tag: new beginning
The Memory Of A River
From foundation of the world I came forth. Yes, I know the voice of God Almighty.
I remember the time before your ancestors came. And the time before those who first walked here.
As the ages passed this bounty was my joy to provide. My purpose in creation was providence.
I remember your laughter along my shores.
I know the names of every young boy who laid aside his responsibly to draw a fish from my waters.
I remember when your young maidens played and danced here.
I have worked without rest to deliver the boat and it’s cargo. My strength is yours to command.
I remember your struggles and the days when brother killed brother.
I remember the hard times when you had very little money and yet so much joy.
Today, I weep with you for I remember the things which you have forgotten.
Perhaps, if you can just put away your little black gazing box for a little while. Put it back in your pocket and pull the wires from your ears.
Gaze on my shores instead. Listen to the songs of birds and insects in the day. And, the frogs and crickets by night.
Do your legs remember running? Can you still feel the joy of racing the wind along my shores?
The melting ice will soon give way to a blanket of moss.
The warm sun will awaken the bloom and color will return.
Awaken yourself. Return to me. Come and play in my waters.
I am the River.
Working With Stone (And hearts of stone too)
I’ve always been interested in certain trade skills. Cutting stone is one of them. To properly cut a stone one must have to be able to read the small lines that tell you where small faults are inside the stone. Stone cutting is thought to be a very masculine endeavor. The uninitiated often has visions of the stone cutter as a muscle bound brute striking mighty blows until the stone gives way. While it takes some elbow grease to wrestle a large piece of rock into place one doesn’t have to have extreme strength. Ancient technology like A-frames or block and tackle make it much easier.
But I really want to talk to you about the actual cutting process. It’s not about strength. It’s about control. A mighty blow with Thor’s hammer would be manly for sure but it’s also going to ruin the work. The key to getting that nice straight cut is patience. It often starts with abrading a line in the place you want to cut. Sometimes you need to drill and use a wedge. Then you place your chisel on the spot and tap it with the hammer. The vibration of chisel travels into the stone weakens the spot until a crack forms.
This is also how to change a difficult situation. Or deal with a difficult personality. If your goal is to destroy a relationship then hammer away like Thor and vanquish the enemy. But keep in mind that an enemy is what you will produce. But, if that goal is to shape a relationship from raw stone then the small light taps over a long time is how it’s best done.
It’s also how to set someone free. (Including ourselves sometimes)
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” – Michelangelo
In today’s microwave world of instant gratification we’ve lost the value of accomplishment. Some of Michelangelo’s works took decades. The investment of time and imparting of life energy is what gives value to an angel shaped hunk of rock. I guess the point I’m trying to make is that don’t be surprised if instant success leaves us with a hollow victory. Accomplishment is born from the struggle. The harder the struggle is then the more satisfying the accomplishment will be. Even Michelangelo struggled. I don’t have a source but I remember one of art teachers talking about Michelangelo’s unfinished works and that how some of were abandoned because a fault formed in the wrong spot. The lesson I learned was that to become a master is to have failures and move forward anyway. If we want success then we walk away from the ruined piece with our tools and our experience and we get to work on a new piece by making those small taps in just the right place. And, we do it again and again until the angel is free.
A Trip To The Meadow River.Â
Today is dreary day in the mountains of Appalachia. There’s been heavy rain and gray skies all day. By morning the ice and snow is supposed to return. On days like today I like to look at the summer images that I’ve taken. It makes me feel like I’m sitting by one of our rivers with a Zebco 33 and one of my favorite lures. The simple repetitive action of casting and slowly drawing the line back in has a meditative quality for me. I don’t even really care if anything bites. Like Zen archery ( or at least my understanding of it ) it’s all about clearing the mind and regaining focus. The image above was taken on the Meadow River during one of these trips. The spot is known mostly to locals and I’m sworn to secrecy as to the exact spot. Behind me a small campfire crackles softly making just enough smoke to keep mosquitoes away. It didn’t seem to bother the butterflies that danced and played on the buttonbush. I made one last cast into the river and slowly retrieve. There’s a tug on the other end of line. But, I let him go. Sometimes is not about the fish, it’s about the fishing and memories that are made.
OUT OF THE PIT OF FEAR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION (guest post)
Tonight I want to do a bonus post. Since its the first day of the New Year it’s a great time for new beginnings. The longest night of year has passed and if we watch carefully we’ll see the day lasting a little bit longer. As life returns to the Earth so to do our souls awaken with new energy. But, sometimes the day seems to be dark just for us. The crushing weight of depression effects not only ourselves but those around us. In an effort to help people find and appreciate the new dawn I’m inviting my wife Angela to take over my blog as a guest and talk about her book Out Of The Pit Of Fear, Anxiety and Depression.
Hello everyone!!! At some point in life I believe depression touches us all. Sometimes there’s a cause that we can pin point, for example: the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or some other major life change. Other times we can be taken over by depression and not know why. It’s a combination of many small things.
I went through a horrible time with depression and I describe it as being in the bottom of a pit where no light or air exist. It is a smothering darkness, that makes you want to die. It’s easy for someone on the outside to look at you and say, “Oh just snap out of it, it’ll be okay.” If it were only that easy.
Once I escaped the pit of darkness and depression, I wanted to do something to give back. It took me a long time to write my book because I wanted everything to be so precise.
I’ve often prayed, ” Lord, please don’t allow what I’ve been through to be in vain. Let me use that to help someone else escape the pit.”
I now know you have to want to escape and it is a fight. But you are worth the fight. Freedom is worth the fight.
The above link to my book will take you to Amazon where you can download it for free this week. From now through Jan 5. If you are depressed or know someone who is suffering from depression, I hope you get my book and it helps you navigate the rough waters ahead.
I will leave you with a quote that helps me keep perspective:
I CANNOT CHANGE THE PAST…I CAN ONLY MAKE THE MOST OF TODAY AND LOOK WITH HOPE TO TOMORROW.
May your days be filled with optimism, it is possible to live a happy life after depression. I am a survivor of the darkness of depression.
Thanks for reading, feel free to share with anyone you know suffering from depression. Thank you for your support and encouragement of my husband Lloyd and his new business venture.
LLOYD'S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC 