Winter beauty

 For the past few days it has been mild and the days are getting noticeably longer.  I can sense that the cold, hard days of winter are  past.  We still will have snow and cold,  but the balance is tipping towards more mild days.  Winter has a special beauty - and there are times I am in awe of  winter's art.  Today I thought I would simply share images of the beauty of winter (taken  locally from the weather network).  For those of you who live in warm climaes, I invite you to "feast| your eyes on  nature`s handiwork.

In gratitude  for the wonders of winter,
Marg

Every second is a precious gift

I came across this poster while web surfing.  We take so many things for granted -  breathing for instance.  If you have ever had an asthma attack and struggle for breath,  you will fully  appreciate  regaining your breath. 

For me this past weekend,  snowshoeing  at my sister's country property reminded me of how richly we are blessed, creating a symphony of gratitude for this wonderful day: breathing in the fresh crisp air;
seeing the blue sky and "diamonds" sparkling in the snow; hearing the "swoosh" of our snowshoes on the snow; laughing and chatting with fiends. All these gifts during  a simple walk in the woods!  The simplest of things often give the greatest joy.

What else in our life are we ignoring or taking for granted? Carpe Diem - seize the day. I would  also say "seize the moment"! It is all so  magical...

Choose in every moment

This is our choice for every moment.
Do we relate to our circumstances with bitterness or with openness?
Pema Chodron

On Feb. 1 I turned the page  over on  my calendar and that was the quote  for the month of February .  As I did my morning meditation I was aware of the choice I made, to spend a longer time in "openness", in peace while meditating.   This quote mirrors what my teacher  says -  we can choose pain or peace,. It is up to us.

We can choose to anguish over the past and replay those same old grooves.  We can choose to  fret about the future and worry about things that may not even happen.  Or, we can choose to  remain in the present moment.  We can chose to react with bitterness, anger etc. or we can chose to react with openness, gratitude and love. It really is all up to us,  and the choices we make colour our perspective of the world.  Are we victim or are we empowered and in control?

I am so grateful for having this teaching.  Life would have been easier  had I  learned this earlier, but better late than never.  Now all I have to do is remember - pain or peace, bitterness or openness - the choice should be simple!

In gratitude for free will that allows me to choose,
Marg