Day 18, Small Pause, "Quiet"

Calmness in the Park, 4x4in. Oil on linen/panel. Sold

"Some days, we just need to turn the quiet up."

~Dr. SunWolf


Today's Small Pause...

Once again we have been greeted with stormy weather. Its gift is that it slows down the pace of life and allows time for rejuvenation. During a quiet time today I was reminded of how small items, scents or sounds can bring a sense of centeredness and comfort. 

As winds gust about and freezing rain pelts upon my window pane, I find comfort in feeling cozy inside. I am thankful to be safe in my home and protected from the outside elements.

A small candle fills the room with an apple, cinnamon scent. It is a memorable scent of homemade baking and family. 

I love watching its flickering light and how it glows within its glass encasement. A warm glow of orange dances about happily. Its dance is mesmerizing...its glow happy and warm.

Today's small pause reminded me of the truth, that even when life has brought challenges, little nuggets are woven within to bring relief. Quiet is the vehicle which allows their entry.

Warmly,

Debbie

I would love to hear your thoughts or small pause today! Please feel free to share in the comment section below. 

Day 16, Small Pause, "Snow Bubbles"

Within the Breeze, 7x5in. Oil on canvas. Sold

Today's "Small Pause"...

This morning I decided to relish in some quiet time to practice yoga and read. With a nice hot cup of tea, I sat by my kitchen window and continued to read "The Wisdom of No Escape...". After reading a particular passage that really resonated with me I gazed out my window to reflect on what I had just read. 

Tiny snowflakes floated about in the gray sky. They reminded me of tiny bubbles as they bobbled about in the breeze; catching flight and moving in whatever direction the wind took them. They were decidedly happy as they dipped and dived without care; tossing their worries aside and drifting along. 

Their carefree nature reminded me of childhood when we ignored the world and danced about in nature. We blew bubbles, spun in circles and laughed in the delight of small occurrences. I think if we all took time to run about in nature without a care, the world would be a more joyful place!

Warmly,
Debbie

P.S. The excerpt in Pema Chodron's book that gave me pause was: "There's a possibility of what Rinpoche used to call "gap" at the end of the out-breath: you're mindful of your breath as it goes out, and then there's a pause as the breath comes in. It's as if you ... pause."

I would love to hear your thoughts or small pause today! Please feel free to share in the comment section below. 

Day 15, Small Pause, "Light Dance"

Welcoming Spring, 4x4in. Oil on linen/panel.

Today's Small Pause...

I love late afternoon light as it enters my kitchen. It transforms objects into statements of beauty as it strikes their many shapes. Today the light transformed fresh tulips into a spectacular vision as it danced between crevices and folds of petals. It illuminated sections of petals until they appeared translucent. Interesting shadow patterns added to the drama as they contrasted with brightly lit areas. 

I have always found the striking of light fascinating. Today tulip greens became a brilliant lime green, while light pink petals shimmered and glowed. My eyes roamed up and down long stems and over petals as I observed the affects of  the late afternoon light. It was a moment to relish as it would be short lived. Soon the sun would shift and the light dance before my eyes would fade.  Being open to these brief moments adds depth to one's day allowing joy to step in.

Warmly,

Debbie

I would love to hear your thoughts or small pause today! Please feel free to share in the comment section below. 

Day 14, Small Pause, "Unplug"

Window to the Sea, 7x5in. Oil on linen/panel. Powell's Pt. Park, N.S. Available

Today's Small Pause...

Sometimes it is essential to unplug from the noise of life. Leaving everything man-made behind and seeking out nature provides a welcome change of pace and solitude. Today I crunched through a snowy path to reach such a spot. 

Once I arrived I sat quietly on an empty picnic table and allowed nature's pace to envelop me. Trees wavered in a gentle breeze as nature sounds soothed. It was a peaceful, centering moment that brought calm waters to my soul. 

Warmly,

Debbie

I would love to hear your thoughts or small pause today! Please feel free to share in the comment section below. 

Day 10, Small Pause, "Poetry of Nature"

Fairytale Moon, 20x16in. Oil on canvas, MacLellan's Brook, Nova Scotia.

Today's "Small Pause"...

Nature's poetry was my muse today, as I gazed upward to sky and limbs. Limbs lit in sunlight contrasted with the deep blue above. They stretched towards the vastness above creating sky pockets along the way. My eyes waltzed along crisp white limbs and journeyed in and out of empty blue spaces. Curved limbs seemed to stretch longingly towards a soft half moon. A quiet moon that gently appeared in mid afternoon. 

It is an everyday occurrence whose beauty could be missed. Becoming attune to nature's poetry is necessary, or all is lost to a day of uneventful routine.

Warmly,

Debbie

I would be delighted to have you share your "Small Pause" today. Please feel free to share your thoughts or recent small pause in the comment section below.

Day 9, Small Pause, " Do You Believe?"

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it. "
~ Roald Dahl


Today's "Small Pause"...

Remember viewing things as a child with wonder and magic? Today I had a glimpse of this wonderful way of viewing the world. After listening to another student read a book with a mermaid in it, three little girls proceeded to have a discussion about the reality of mermaids. The discussion went something like this:

"I love mermaids!" says Sara.

"Me too." says Miranda.

"I saw one, one time and she was really beautiful. Her hair was shiny and she was really colorful." says Sara.

"Are mermaids really real Sara?" asked Andrea.

"Oh ya, they are really real", says Sara. 

"I think they are too", says Andrea. 

"Ya", says Miranda.

It was a delightful engagement that made me smile. Maybe, mermaids really are real. Since when do adults have all the answers? I think children could teach us a thing or two about how to view the world. The magic of a child's perspective and wonderment, does not have to be obliterated with adulthood. 

Warmly,

Debbie

I would be delighted to have you share your "Small Pause" today. Please feel free to share your thoughts or recent small pause in the comment section below.