Unnecessary things

Down to earth.

There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect.

~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

Messages from the morning sky.

On an almost daily basis (because sometimes I forget), I read from the book 365 Tao: Daily Meditations by Deng Ming-Dao.  The book has short meditations, a little something to think about throughout the day.

Evening clouds

A week or two or three ago, this little gem was part of the daily meditation:

Give up unnecessary things.

Sweeping across the sky.

I’ve always said that I wouldn’t mind getting a tattoo if I could find something I would be willing to live with for the rest of my life.  I’m thinking those four words just might be it.  I wonder if there is a symbol for simplicity?

This morning’s view from the dock.

When I start thinking about what is necessary in life, I find that the list is surprisingly small.  Food, water, shelter, and love (family, friends) are the top four.  Everything beyond that seems to exist in my life for the pleasure of it.  Books, movies, music, walking, dancing, photography, writing, blogging, the internet, and more, are not absolute necessities.  Ah but, maybe some are more than they seem.  Some speak to my soul, and the soul needs fed, too.

Sky fire. (Last night’s sunset.)

In Feng Shui, which I know little about, it is said that holding on to things that do not bring you joy represents your unwillingness or lack of readiness to allow in something new and, perhaps, more beautiful.  This can be applied to attitudes and beliefs as well as the physical things we acquire in life.

Liquid gold. (Sunset reflections on the water.)

I wrote a post this morning that I had to let go.  It was a long post.  And it was an unnecessary thing.

Smudged

When I let go of the post, it freed me to entertain other thoughts and notions, to explore other beliefs and attitudes.  It also freed me to let go of all thoughts and notions for a brief moment in time so that I could stand on the shore of life and admire the view without judging it.

At the Point yesterday evening.

What I was left with was this post about nothing in particular, filled with a hodgepodge of images that may or may not be related.  I’ll leave that up to you to form a connection.  I’m not sure there is one other than me, standing back and marveling at life’s scenery.

Gift of a sun dog.

Thank you so much for stopping by on this glorious autumn day.  Rain is coming so I’ve spent part of the day trying to get my outdoor chores completed.  As a reward, I’m heading down to the Point this evening to see what transpires.  Please join me.  No jacket required.  We’ve had quite a warm-up, and it’s once again shorts and t-shirt weather.  Sunset is at 6:17 PM.  We can stand on the shore, have a seat on the bench, or take a walk along the beach while the sun slips down behind the horizon.

Watching the sky catch fire.

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

A rainbow from this morning’s walk.

Today’s joys:  A rainbow early this morning; watching the clouds break up until the sky completely cleared; deleting some words until my mind was almost cleared; finding mushrooms on the other side of the lagoon; exploring the woods.