Petal by Fascinating Petal

 

Wisdom does not automatically

come with old age.

The young closed mind

can easily become

the old closed mind.

But I am blessed to have friends who,

as they’ve aged,

have opened

like roses unfolding

petal by fascinating petal,

revealing the beauty of wisdom

born of years of

patience,

pain,

experience.

The opening of the petaled heart

is a kind of letting go—

letting go of demands,

of expectations,

of self-importance,

of the arrogance of certainty—

and settling into the easy breath

of not knowing,

of receiving what is and

releasing the rosy scent of love,

and joy,

and peace

into the world.

Wisdom does not automatically come

with old age,

but old age is often where

wisdom dwells.

– kh –

 

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

 

Nature from the last snow:

Shadow of the week:

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Text and photos © 2024 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

More Than Any Wise Man

 

“The soul that is kind and intends justice

discovers more than any wise man.”

– Sophocles –

 

Nurture peace. Cultivate kindness. Carry the calm.

Nature of the week – zucchini blooms:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Text and photos © 2020 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

Calm and Angry

 

“Anyone can become angry. That is easy.

But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree,

at the right time, for the right purpose

and in the right way –

that is not easy.”

– Aristotle –

 

Wise anger grounds itself in the calm that we carry deep within ourselves.

Nurture peace. Cultivate kindness. Carry the calm.

 

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Text and photos © 2020 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

Wiser Today

“A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.” – Jonathan Swift

 

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Text and photos © 2019 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

When the Time is Ripe

“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:

pinecone

Shadow of the Week – shamrock shadows:

shamrkshdw

 

Text and photos © 2016 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

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

 

Like Steps of Passing Ghosts

 

 

What Seas Are You Sailing?

“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:

wtrcanna

Shadow of the Week (in the foreground, on the water):

rdnrlake

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

Text and photos © 2016 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

 

 

The Very Life of Life

 

 

2 W’s for a Calm Spirit

“Wisdom begins in wonder.”

Socrates

Come up for air. Breathe out weariness, breathe in awe.

May this season be full of Wonder and Wisdom for you.

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

Shadow of the Week – poinsettia:

ShdPoinLg

Nature photo of the week – my johnny jump-ups like this cool weather:

johnnyjumpups

Text and photos © 2014 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.