Coming to My Senses

 

They are referred to as the Āyatana or “sense sphere” in Buddhist literature.

Early Hindu scripture quite poetically depicts them as five horses drawing the chariot of the body, with the mind as the chariot driver and guide.

We know them as touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight.

A sensory experience can be fleeting or remain with you for a lifetime: the happy trill of a wren as you wake; the sticky sweetness of a summer peach; the smell of rain on an empty playground.  “Your senses give you the raw materials for the stories of your life.” They are the doors to memories and the pathways to all perception. But how often do we actually “stop to smell the roses?” To appreciate, to be aware of the infinite messages our senses relay to us?

What story did your senses write today?

Smiles,

 

Today's Gratitude List:

• my sight
• my hearing
• my tastebuds
• my sense of smell
• my sense of touch
• this very beautiful world

 

Everything's Pretty

The weather in Beach Town, USA has been gorgeous lately - perfect for strolling and soaking up some gentle rays of sunshine.  As I ready myself for today's ambling, the Big Guy decides to accompany me.  This also seems the ideal time to further familiarize myself with the  beloved new camera, so I make sure to grab it as we head out the door.

After the fourth or fifth shutterbug moment, he stops me. "Honey, you can't just take pictures of people's houses and property and stuff."

"Why not?  Is it illegal?"

"I don't know, but it makes you look like a spy...or a perv."

"Well I'm obviously neither of those things," I protest indignantly. "If I were, don't you think I'd be more covert instead of standing here on the sidewalk in my sneakers and turquoise running shorts with a big shiny camera dangling  from my neck?"

The Big Guy laughs uncomfortably.  He is often both repulsed by and attracted to my strangeness (which I more positively refer to as zest for life).  It has kept him on his toes for many years now.

"Besides," I explain patiently, "I like to take pictures of pretty things."

"But at the rate you're snapping photos it would seem you think EVERYTHING is pretty."

I tilt my head and smile up at him.  The sun is glinting off his sunglasses and I contemplate taking his picture right now.

"Everything is."

With Love,

Independence Day

Wishing you all a marvelous 4th of July!  Here is my photographic tribute to America's Independence Day (and also a good excuse to take a walk through the neighborhood on a gorgeously sunny day).  Hope you enjoy my red, white, and blues!

Hope the three-day weekend has been wonderful! Many smiles,

 

Today's Gratitude List:

• My new Nikon camera (a surprise gift from my sweetheart!)
• BBQ tri-tip
• Jazz music drifiting up from the beach
• Friendly neighbors sharing in the celebration