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Expansion Encounters - with Dusty Standing on a plateau, seeing many miles in all directions, I hear the ringing of silence in my ears. The ever so soft touch of a breeze whispers. I hear it. 'Listen!'" I can observe. I can acknowledge the effects. I can find and appreciate God's goodness. How can I break away from the confinements of obligations in my everyday world? Frequently, commitments tie me to activities or tease and cajole to keep me from enjoying nature's gift. I begin by stepping out to my porch for a five-minute only get-away. I relax a bit by taking some deep breaths and enjoying our cat, who insists on lap sitting when I do take time. I take another step by getting out to walk around our yard and around the house to observe the flowers and shrubbery. I can appreciate the magnificence of God's creation in the brilliance of color in the foliage, in the landscape of trees, in the small creatures, birds and squirrels that dart about. The first color in spring is as a breath of fresh air as flowers begin to peek up and say hello. I enjoy greeting each new flower as it displays its array of beauty. Especially intriguing are those who sneak up around the edge of a stone. They offer a delightful surprise and are often loners. They offer expression, it seems, simply to bring the observer a touch of pleasure. We commune in gratitude for one another, for life. Still another step, or a combination of steps, takes me around the block, observing the variety of trees and interesting contrasts of neighbors' yards. I offer gratitude for a maple tree as I walk by, for its strength, beauty and the shade it provides. Summer is a delight. With everything lush and green, myriad flowers coming into full bloom, a deluge of birds everywhere, and sunlight dancing on the lake all give a refreshing reminder that there is always time available to enjoy every moment. Another short outing takes me to an open area, where I can feel the breeze. A few quiet moments can offer myriad sensations, which often provide a joyful and peaceful lift. Through the silence, I listen. Spring cleaning brought this article to surface. Sorting and tossing. Decisions! by Dusty Reed "The great use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it." - William James Why do I keep a broken appliance and try to tell myself, "someday I will get it fixed?" If I can get along without it while it is broken, most likely I can get along without it if it is excluded from my life. A low priority can be tucked into a bottom drawer for an extended length of time. If it does not find utilization during the interim by necessity, banishment is essential. This technique gets rid of a lot of clutter. If we do not delete it, someone else will be required to toss it. Is it worth passing on to someone? This applies to inner "appliances," as well. Are we trying to "fix" something that either does not really need fixed or that is not important? What about the issues that lie dormant within that could benefit our lives if they would become usable? Are we working to fix our relationship with others, with ourselves, with our life's activities? As with any delayed, unfinished task, why fret about not getting it done if we are not willing to get it back into active duty right at the moment? There is only right now to "get it fixed." Some sites I recommend: Silence It is my joy to share with you that I continue to add new rose drawings and some photographs available at art.com! You can view them at Roses. I now have some of my rose drawings at an auction site, Art By Us And, I have a page with note cards (for sale) with some of my rose drawings. You can check it out by going Rose Note Cards. I have been posting nearly all of my drawings that are not displayed elsewhere at Home Town Gallery. I have two galleries there. The other is at Loft It has various photographs, other drawings, and notecards available. My sister-in-spirit, Sunny, has several of her drawings and has added new photos at art.com, too, at Sunny's Place And, for anyone who enjoys playing at ebay, lots of goodies (records, books & post cards - occasionally some nic nacs) are available at Dusty's eBay You are welcome to forward this newsletter to friends who might be interested! If they would like to subscribe (at no cost), they can write to me at With Expansion Encounters as Subject. Thanx muchly! Working toward consideration and to better humanity, we want to encourage free enterprise, free speech. We are Life Now, a spiritual happening on and off the Internet. Pathway ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Life Now ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Enjoy every moment!
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