February. Still,
Quiet leaves, frozen water,
Calm. Waiting for spring.
Fotos by Andrés. Sent from Munich💖
#SilentSunday #SundayWalks February2021 #Haiku #Munich
Tag Poem
#ThursdayPhotoThoughts ‘White Swan’ #February2021 @Pixabay
White Swan
This is no black swan
Who was once a duck,
This is no mirror
Hanging on the wall,
This is no painting,
Seen in museums.
She’s a brave, white swan
Travelling alone
Towards the unknown,
Sure to overcome
Any sudden storm.
The queen of the seas
****
Events that are difficult to predict but when they happen have an enormous impact are referred to by author, Nasim Taleb as black swans, in his influential book.
These low probability and high-impact events are unavoidable and are guaranteed to occur in our personal and collective lives.
I’m using the term, black swan, loosely to refer to any unexpected, sudden and negative personal events such as unemployment, illness, death, or collective experiences such as an earthquake or covid19.
These unforeseen events have happened and will inevitably strike again. If we are unprepared, there is very little we can do to stop the emotional and physical tsunami that threatens to bring us to our knees.
But we can be prepared. By building three powerful mindsets we should work hard to develop: Faith, optimism, and adaptability, from an early age.
We must be prepared for unavoidable disasters by increasing our self-confidence and mental fortitude, cultivating a positive mindset, and creating a mental attitude of adaptability to change.
Sometimes I feel all our lives are a preparation to cope with black swans when they appear, because we know we will surely face more than one throughout our lives. As schools are more concerned with teaching facts, emotional growth is left to our personal initiative and our families.
I’m a great believer in the power of reading, reflecting, and meditation. I’m certainly feeling stronger and more prepared to face challenges since I have more time to think and meditate and read specific books on personal growth.
If you’d like to have a look at some of the books I’ve been reading follow the link below.
All pictures from pixabay and all thoughts my own, although I’m sure someone has already expressed some of them.
How do you cope with black swans?
****
Pixabay is a wonderful site where many generous amateur and professional photographers offer their photos at no cost (there are also photos you have to pay for). And Thursday, which is in the exact middle of the week is an ideal day to stop and reflect, so I’m grabbing one or more pictures and reflecting on whatever comes to mind. I’m not planning on stream-of-consciousness, because although it’s an unplanned post based on a random picture, I’ll edit my thoughts and words, because you’re worth it! I want you to read a pretty and polished post:)
#WordlessWednesday ‘Shades of Green’ #haiku
#SundayWalks ‘Iced Beauty’ #Tanka
Trapped in ice, still life,
Frozen white prison,
Sun will set you free,
To wither on spring’s green lawns,
Death is inevitable.
My friend Kumi sent me these beautiful photos from Norway.
If you look hard enough there’s beauty everywhere. 🤩💖☃️❄
I hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday.
#WritePhoto ‘Lucky!’ #FlashFiction #101words
The following Tanka was written in response to Sue Vincent’s weekly photo prompt. Join in or read other entries here!
Alice’s Lucky Day
Alice wasn’t enjoying the picnic.
Her cousins giggled and whispered behind her back until her mother made them include her in their games.
They grumbled and Chelsea said, “Count to a hundred, you’re It!”
Instead of chasing them, Alice wandered to the old stone bridge by the river.
Climbing down between the rocks, she heard a puppy whimpering and scratching its way out of a plastic bag floating in the deep waters.
When she returned, everyone fussed around her, waiting for their turn to hold the puppy.
“She’s called Lucky,” Alice told them, “because I rescued her on my lucky day.”
****
Photo from Pixabay
Happy weekend!
#ThursdayPhotoThoughts #Tanka ‘Beware of the Vampires’ #February2021 @Pixabay
This picture has taken me to a dark place I’m familiar with, but not fond of. I’m standing outside the doors to a dark castle inhabited by thirsty, blood-sucking vampires.
Some will suck your blood
And your dreams, if you let them.
Forgive and ignore,
They have their own sad journey.
You cannot change their flight path.
****
I’m going to tell you three things I’ve learned about vampires. The first is the power of forgiveness.
The second is don’t let them convince or confuse you, and the only way is to ignore their negative words. They’re not your friends, they’re not there to help you, they’re out to help themselves to your precious energy, your lifeblood. But here’s the thing, they can’t take it if you don’t let them have it! You have what they need. Your dreams and enthusiasm are your superpower. Don’t waste it on them.
The third thing I know is that you cannot help a vampire. You may think it’s your duty to help them, and it would be if you could, but you can’t. They don’t want or need your help. They only want your blood.
Finally. I know each one of us has to follow our own dreams and plan our own routes to self realisation and discovery. That doesn’t mean we have to be selfish or obsessive. We should enjoy and share our journey, but ultimately our journey is as unique as each one of us and we owe it to ourselves to make sure we are ready for our final destination.
My final thoughts on dealing with people who bring out the worst in you, highlight your fears and insecurities, demean or criticise you, there’s only one thing you can do, and the sooner you realise this, the sooner you can continue on your own journey.
All pictures from pixabay and all thoughts my own, although I’m sure someone has already expressed some of them.
Do you know many vampires?
How do you deal with them?
****
Pixabay is a wonderful site where many generous amateur and professional photographers offer their photos at no cost (there are also photos you have to pay for). And Thursday, which is in the exact middle of the week is an ideal day to stop and reflect, so I’m grabbing one or more pictures and reflecting on whatever comes to mind. I’m not planning on stream-of-consciousness, because although it’s an unplanned post based on a random picture, I’ll edit my thoughts and words, because you’re worth it! I want you to read a pretty and polished post:)
Feel free to join in! Grab the hashtag, photo and share your post in the comments. I’d love to read your thoughts.
Are there many vampires in your life? How do you cope with them?
#WritePhoto ‘Blackbird, Learn to Fly’ #Tanka
The following Tanka was written in response to Sue Vincent’s weekly photo prompt. Join in or read other entries here!
Sue’s picture prompt reminded me of the Beatles‘ song Blackbird, so here’s the Tanka inspired by both the song and the picture.
Blackbird, Learn to Fly
Crow perched on dry branch
Must mend broken wings to fly
All your life waiting
for this moment to be free
Longing to glide far away
****
#SundayWalks #Haiku ‘Breathe’ #February2021
Breathe
Rosemary and Thyme,
Wet earth. Dry olive branches,
Breathe peaceful fragrance.
February in the south of Spain has been a mixture of sun, clouds, rain and some wind, as expected. Frosty mornings, kinder midday temperatures, and long afternoons and evenings by the fireplace. Excellent weather for reading and writing!
Take care, vaccines are on their way:)
How was your first week of February?
Carrot Ranch Special Collection #FlashFiction Challenge #99Words ‘The River of Life’ #Poem
This 99-word poem was written in response to Charli Mills’ Special collection Challenge at Carrot Ranch.
January 28, 2021, Special Collection Challenge prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about life as a river of consciousness. Think about the possibilities of the prompt. Go where the prompt leads! Respond by February 11, 2021.
The 99-word entries to this Carrot Ranch Special Collection Challenge will be presented to Sue Vincent on February 17. If you want to take part and be included in this special collection, respond using the form HERE.
The River of Life
The river trickles from its source,
Weak like a baby’s tears,
It slides across the earth,
First a stream which later grows,
Flowing carefree along the river bed,
Like a young girl, searching for love,
It carries reeds and pebbles and fish,
There are times it meanders lazily,
Other times it cascades with fury,
Or desire,
Later it grows, like a pregnant mother,
Carrying boats and bodies, too,
It battles with mud and pollution,
But always pushes forward,
Along a one way course,
There is no return,
It flows straight ahead,
Determined to reach its destination,
The unchartered sea.
*****
#ThursdayPhotoThoughts ‘Decluttering Clothes’ #February2021 @Pixabay #ThursdayThoughts
I definitely have too many clothes in my wardrobe.
Some no longer fit, some are no longer fashionable, others are worn out, some I don’t like any more, but even so, I have a hard time getting rid of them.
Am I a hoarder? Perhaps, although I don’t think so…
About twice a year I clear out my wardrobe and make three piles:
Pile one are clothes to throw away, because they’re too tattered.
Pile two are clothes to give away, because someone else could use them.
These two piles are easy enough, it’s the third pile with the items I want to keep which poses problems, because I always keep more than I eventually use. Some have been in the third pile for years and I haven’t worn them for ages. The issue is, how do I decide which items from pile three I should also give or throw away?
One of my best and oldest (not because she’s old, but because I’ve known her since uni) friends, Kumi, swears by Marie Kondo’s decluttering and organisation method.
Marie’s question would be: Which item sparks joy? They all do, that’s why I don’t give them away!
Then Marie suggests thanking the clothes for the joy they brought you and let them go if you no longer need or use them. Sounds good. I might try that, but I have a feeling it’s not going to work.
Gretchen Rubin suggests if you can’t decide whether to keep an item of clothing, ask yourself, “If I ran into my ex on the street, would I be happy wearing this?” So, I should be thinking of my ex while I declutter? It sounds odd, as I’ve been married to the same man for forty years. I’d have to go back to someone in my early twenties! That would be a nostalgic trip down memory lane…
Still, Gretchen does have 17 other questions which are very useful in this blog post. I’ll try to seriously declutter my wardrobe next month, as I welcome spring, following her suggestions.
Once I’ve decluttered, another challenge is how to organise the clothes in my wardrobe. I’m still trying to figure out a method for that too! Any tips?
****
Pixabay is a wonderful site where many generous amateur and professional photographers offer their photos at no cost (there are also photos you have to pay for). I’ll be grabbing one of their photos as a prompt for a #ThursdayPhotoThoughts.
Thursday is a good day for thinking. In fact, it’s the exact middle of the week. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday have flown by, probably full of work, obligations and general busyness, but Friday, Saturday and Sunday are days we look forward to with joy, because they hold the promise of some free time for relaxation, friendship, family and hobbies. Thursday is an ideal day to stop and reflect. I’m not planning on stream-of-consciousness, because although it’s an unplanned post based on a random picture, I’ll edit my thoughts and words.
Feel free to join in! Grab the hashtag, photo and share your post in the comments. I’d love to read your thoughts.
When and How do you declutter your wardrobe?
