SANTA BARBARA/ CALIFORNIA

Santa Barbara,
Swans show up at Devereux, - November 25, 2007
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina,
Sands Beach 03/11/06

Rincon 01/23/06 Slideshow

http://www.calliebowdish.com/Birds.htm

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Friends for all Reasons
by Ann Winter

from Deepak Chopra:
"Everyone has a purpose in life...a unique
gift or special talent to give to others.
And when we blend this unique talent with
service to others,
we experience the ecstasy
and exultation of our own spirit, which is
the ultimate goal of all goals."

JUST FOR AWHILE
Take me away
Just for awhile.
Away from worry
To a restful style.
Let the music
Soothe my nerves.
While incense burns
Into soft white curves.
Release in me
An inner strength.
To face life’s woes
No matter their length.
Let me carry myse
lf With grace and ease.
Although in my heart
Lie so many pleas.
Sandalwood scent
Water gently flowing.
Harp strings playing
While cares
I’m delaying.
Take me away
Just for a time.
To refresh my soul
During this life of mine.


FROM LONELINESS TO SOLITUDE
We enter the world alone.
We leave the world alone.
We stand before God alone.
Aloneness is a universal human experience.
There is great value in standing alone.
Being aware of aloneness
And not loneliness, (which is negative)
Is a state not many of us achieve.
We fear being alone with ourselves.
We try to fill that void (avoid the void)
With distractions, people, noise, etc.
We fear the quiet path leading to our inner selves,
And the dark side of our hearts.
But, it is in such solitude that we discover
Our inner riches and strengths,
And discover too, the real person God has created.
In solitude we can find our true connection to God.
The desert is an image of solitude.
Many go there to seek peace and joy.
Our hearts are receptacles during these peaceful times
And nature can provide the space to be present with ourselves.
Other settings for the introduction of solitude
Are sunrises, sunsets, oceans, rainbows, etc.
As the flower blooms in the silent desert,
So may our hearts bloom in peaceful solitude.

Ann Winter Santa Barbara, California USA

http://www.susankramer.com/FriendsBooklet.html#FRIENDSHIP

Santa Barbara, Sunset

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Hi, from Turkey!
Thanks, for everything!

İstanbul, Turkey

Derleyen: Ayhan Görür