I met this man today, Gary Elam, in downtown Memphis. He was riding his motorcycle and he wore suspenders with flames on them. He is 60, a war veteran, a transplant survivor. He lives deeply and he is filled with gratitude since he got a second chance at life after receiving his transplant. He said he believes he has a lot to give back. He talked about his enlightenment and said "I wish everybody could get a chance to live like they are dying."
Zen Peony
I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman
I’d have to say I agree with Emma Goldman on this one. For one of my landmark birthdays, I asked my husband for a large rock. Not the kind of rock I’d put on my finger, but a large boulder for the front yard. I wanted to plant flowers around it.
I took a bare spot in the very back of my yard, behind the woods, years ago, and turned it into a cutting garden.
Watching my mother die from Alzheimer’s was very painful. The experience taught me how to care for my soul. Starting that garden was part of that journey and what an amazing gift and sacred space that garden bloomed into.
Having beautiful fresh flowers in my home was one of those small things that soothed me while I was caring for my mother. I also liked to bring flowers to her.
I once thought, if I could have peonies all year long it would make me happy. But then again, would it? There is something special and sacred about the rhythm of nature. Eating fresh foods that are in season, enjoying the blooms of flowers when they are naturally in bloom and not forced. I have more gratitude and appreciation for some flowers and foods because they are only available once a year. They are ripe when it is their time, their season, and then they are gone until next year. I enjoy them more deeply knowing that.
There is nothing that teaches the art of being in the present moment like Alzheimer’s. There is also nothing that teaches being in the present moment as well as a blooming flower.
Zen Peony
Never Work Again
My friend Peter, the farmer, said "when you do what you love, you never labor a day in your life." He loves his job.
DO YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO DREAM?
"All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today."
Indian Proverb
While a bloom opens in its own time, while being urged from the sun, the moon, the seasons, it's seeds are like our dreams. We need to dream. We need to allow our imaginations to cultivate the seeds of our dreams. Allow your mind to be the good soil that beautiful flowers bloom in.
Photography by Karen Pulfer Focht ©
Happy 80th Birthday Jane Goodall
“We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place--or not to bother”
― Jane Goodall - Happy 80th birthday to one of my hero's Jane Goodall, who I was lucky enough to meet in person one time when she visited the Memphis Zoo.
Photography by Karen Pulfer Focht ©
Tree Awaits Awakening
"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! Every seed is awakened, and all animal life. It is through this mysterious power that we too have our being, and we therefore yield to our neighbors, even to our animal neighbors, the same right as ourselves to inhabit this vast land. Chief Sitting Bull
Photography by Karen Pulfer Focht ©
Living With Wonder
Thomas Huxley wrote, "For every man the world is as fresh as it was at the first day, and as full of untold novelties for him who has the eyes to see them."
Thomas Huxley wrote, "For every man the world is as fresh as it was at the first day, and as full of untold novelties for him who has the eyes to see them."
Photography by Karen Pulfer Focht ©