White as Wings of Prayer

“The mists above the morning rills

Rise white as wings of prayer.”

– John Greenleaf Whittier –

Need a bit of solace for your soul? Gently soar on the soft music and prayerlike, birdlike wings of this kinetic sculpture, Diffusion Choir. It’s short, and it’s amazing.

Nourish peace, cultivate loving kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week – fragrant ginger, still blooming here in November!

Shadow of the Week:

For my posts on coming of age in a community of faith, link here.

Cares Will Drop Away

Cares Will Drop Away

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy,

while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”

– John Muir, Our National Parks –

Calm seems to be in short supply these days. All the more reason to intentionally call time-out for yourself – two minutes, five minutes, thirty minutes, whatever you can manage. Slow down, don’t relive or prelive but simply live for a moment in the moment. Find a bit of nature to observe, listen to, smell, and touch. It may be as large as the sky and a path through the woods, or as small as a blade of grass, a fallen leaf, or a pebble cupped in the palm of your hand. Exhale the panicked ugliness that has seeped in from current events, and inhale nature’s faithful beauty. Exhale tension; inhale calm. Let the wind blow its freshness into you. Let your cares drop away “like the leaves of Autumn.”

Nourish peace, cultivate loving kindness, and carry the calm. We need you.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week – found on a bench:

For my posts on coming of age in a community of faith, link here.

When the Time is Ripe

When the Time is Ripe

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“Time ripens all things.

No man is born wise.”

– Miguel de Cervantes –

Take the time to nourish peace and cultivate loving kindness. Carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week – shamrock shadows:

For my posts on coming of age in a community of faith, link here.

Like Steps of Passing Ghosts

Like Steps of Passing Ghosts

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“Listen . . .

With faint dry sound,

Like steps of passing ghosts,

The leaves, frost-crisp’d, break from the trees

And fall.”

– Adelaide Crapsey –

Nourish peace, cultivate loving kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week – blooms and berries:

Shadow of the Week:

For my posts on coming of age in a community of faith, link here.

Shifty Wind, Secret Stories

Shifty Wind, Secret Stories

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“Already it is October, and the wind blows strong to the sea

from the hills where snow must have fallen,

the wind is polished with snow.”

– D.H. Lawrence, “Butterfly” –

The shifty wind

swirls with stories –

a girl’s kite plucked high,

a beachcomber’s hair ruffled,

a gardener’s hat tossed into the rose bush,

a cafe awning dismantled,

a dog’s nose kissed.

Secret stories

shared with the wind.

“Here’s a hint,”

it whispers,

brushing past

polished with snow,

laden with rain,

woven with wood smoke.

Hush. Hush.

Listen. Listen.

It’s your story too.

Again from D.H. Lawrence: “[T]he wind blows strong . . . from the hills where snow must have fallen, the wind is polished with snow.” How beautiful it would be if people who meet us could say, “She lives strong in a place where calm must have settled. Her spirit is polished with peace.”

Nourish peace, cultivate loving kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week – looking up and up and up:

Shadow of the Week, dripping over stone:

For my posts on coming of age in a community of faith, link here.

What Ships Are Built For

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“A ship in harbor is safe

– but that’s not what ships are built for.”

– Cathy Yardley –

Happy Columbus Day!

Nourish peace, cultivate loving kindness, sail on, and carry the calm harbor within you.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

For my posts on coming of age in a community of faith, link here.

Breathless With Adoration

Breathless With Adoration

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“It is a beauteous evening, calm and free;

The holy time is quiet as a Nun

Breathless with adoration; the broad sun

Is sinking down in his tranquility . . .”

– William Wordsworth –

Evening, morning, afternoon – any time of day and any length of time, even a single minute, can be holy time. We make it so by paying attention, by pausing in breathless adoration, by settling, if only for a moment, into tranquility.

Nourish peace, cultivate loving kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

For my posts on coming of age in a community of faith, link here.

What Seas Are You Sailing?

What Seas Are You Sailing?

Posted by karynhenleyauthor

“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”

– African proverb –

If your seas are rough right now, take heart. Sail with a calm spirit and a sense of wonder, for even storms have their beauty. You will come through it all with deeper wisdom and greater skill.

Nourish peace, cultivate loving kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week – a canna after the storm: