Change

I ran across the following poem recently when going through my books as I was unpacking (once again!). I am back in the house I originally moved into when I first arrived in Arizona a year ago. I am very happy to be here! As I was rereading this poem, I reflected once again on how lovely it is to get a fresh start in a new location. There is something about it that helps me make more thoughtful choices.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
by Portia Nelson

I
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I fall in. I am lost ... I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes me forever to find a way out.

II
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place but, it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

III
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in ... it's a habit. my eyes are open I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

IV
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

V
I walk down another street.

Anniversary

This landscape is so hopeful. In a desert everything blooms with optimism. Just like me.

It was one year ago today that I got in my car in Pennsylvania and headed west to Arizona where I have made my new home. A couple of days ago I hiked Pinnacle Peak, one of the lovely desert mountains around here, which is where I took the above photo. I've been reflecting a lot today on the changes in my life. It's been an incredible year. And here is the poem that has been with me for last several days. It is by one of my favorite poets.

In the Evening

The heads of the roses begin to droop.
The bee who has been hauling his gold
all day finds a hexagon in which to rest.

In the sky, traces of clouds,
the last few darting birds,
watercolors on the horizon.

The white cat sits facing a wall.
The horse in the field is asleep on its feet.

I light a candle on the wood table.
I take another sip of wine.
I pick up an onion and a knife.

And the past and the future?
Nothing but an only child with two different masks.

Billy Collins

Rest

Take a rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.

Ovid

Life

We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery.
H. G. Wells

Light

Live in rooms full of light. Cornelius Celsus

Aerial Dancer

Have you ever observed a humming-bird moving about in an aerial dance among the flowers - a living prismatic gem.... it is a creature of such fairy-like loveliness as to mock all description. W.H. Hudson

Sky

Knock on the sky and listen to the sound. Zen Saying

Cactus

A couple of days ago, I visited the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. Being a recent newcomer to this area, it is still so interesting to see the plants that are native to this desert environment. The colors are more muted than those from the east coast and have a particular beauty.

Butterfly

The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough. Rabindranath Tagore

Risk

When in doubt, make a fool of yourself.

There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.

Cynthia Heimel