Paths are not always recognizable

Salutations,

When we walk from one place to another, there is a path that we knowingly use. Be it a sidewalk, a motorway, or just some path carved by such extended use. Paths, are our way of reaching our destinations. As a Buddhist I am learning to be mindful of the path I walk. To be in the moment and enjoy every single one. Of course, I am still learning and I don't always stay in my moment. While traveling through Brugges, I forgot which path I was on. I was trying to find the central station, and some how, well, got lost. How do you get lost, if you are always there? I remember that from last years venture in Ireland. I stopped once I thought I was lost, and took a moment to gather myself. I realized I wasn't in the present moment, I noticed that I had to look around and say to myself "Where are you?" Then like a light bulb coming on, I realized I was on the path of enlightenment. I was meant to find my way by being lost, meant to stop living in future moments and to be mindful of my surroundings. I found a path alright, a beautiful quiet street, no cars, no noise, just peace. I stood there in what I thought was a lost state, and I found my path again. I looked down upon the cobblestone streets and smiled. I said to myself, "here I am."

then with relative ease I found the station, and I found a store in which I purchased my new little camera. See in my haste I forgot my camera in Amsterdam and have been using my cell phone and my professional camera. Which is great, but I brought it with me for a purpose and it is not easy to carry my big boy. LOL

So, not only was I on the path the whole time, but I learned that at times when you can not see a path because it is not recognizable, if we stop and breathe and be in the moment, the path will be very clear.

Next stop Scotland.

A summer of growth

First stop Amsterdam~

Here I am, again, in Europe for the summer. I do so love coming here and experiencing all life has to offer. This time though, I brought my son with me. It is his first extended trip. I know at first he was scared, heck I was on my first extended trip. Yesterday we spent the day together, and he opened up to me. I won't go into details for obvious reasons, but needless to say, he is growing. At first he was afraid of being away from home, then he was just anxious, and now he is willing to grow and learn and expand his horizons.

I too find that I am growing as well. The way things look through someone else's eyes is always interesting,

I am grateful to be alive and even more so grateful to be growing this summer here, in Europe.

Next stop~ Belgium

Graduating in life to become HuMan

Greetings,

As you may, or may not know, I have a teenage son Jared is his name, actually I have a young man. He is graduating High School, and to say I am proud is an understatement. School it seems is a lesson not just in academia but also in every day living. How we deal with stress, new friends, old friends leaving, and new paths beginning. Jared, has worked so very hard at becoming a huMan. Yes, a huMan. We are all individuals and unique like everyone else, it takes a lot of change though to make us huMan.

So as my son begins a new path, yet again, I applaud him and will be there by his side to guide when asked and never interfere when given that side glance LOL. As his graduation gift he is getting to spend the summer abroad. More change, and change in cultures that he has no prior experience; and I know he will rise to the changes and be the huMan I am so proud to call my son.

Congratulations Jared, you are a star upon which I wished and it came true.

Namaste.

New York, New York...

What can one say about one of the busiest cities in the world? It is amazing. As I walk the streets I call home, my eyes look around and drink in all the familiar things I love about this city. I was walking to work the other day and I noticed one of the many tour buses, that I didn't seem to pay attention to before. I felt a strong connection to the tourist which sat in the sweltering heat. They had that wonderment smile upon their redden faces. I remember that smile, that feeling of "wow, I am here!" Now I am the passerby that they see and wonder about. That moment was very special and I will hold it dear to my heart.

I am happy to say I am back to work, and am very grateful for it. I'm back in the gym and feeling the ache of not working out for over 9 weeks! I missed the macrobiotic spot that I love to frequent, the bookstores, the coffee shops, the over crowded antique shops and the transit system...It's good to be home.

Someone in Scotland told me I was a citizen of the world, I thought about it, and came to realize, yes, I am...My passport may say issued by The United States of America, but my soul says it's borne a Citizen of the world. Loving all, living in the now, and enjoying every breath I take.

Namaste

The end of one journey, and the beginning of..

another. As I sit here thinking of all I have done over the past almost 8 weeks, the images of places and faces seem to flood my minds eye. But it all comes into focus after some minutes. The joys of children laughing, the yeses from proposals, I was lucky enough to hear as I passed, the changing weather, from violent to lush, the many greetings and friends I have made for life, they are all one image. One of love and compassion.

There is always some apprehension when one embarks on a life altering journey. Then when you sit alone in your room you realize, that the first step you took as a child was a life altering journey in itself. We always think we are alone but,

We are truly never alone, even when we wish to be, there is always someone to keep you company or a voice to soothe when the pangs of loneliness stir. This journey has taught me so very much. There were times when I would sit and just exist in that space and no place else. Then I would exist within a group, a Sangha, or with mother nature herself. it was and is all very lovely, and I do realize how very lucky and blessed I am.

This journey was about learning and growing. Accepting what can not be changed and change what I have accepted about myself so many years ago.

Though this journey is now at its end, it is just the beginning of it as well. To take all the lessons I've learned all the love I've experienced and living it, daily. Thank you all for being apart of my journey in this world and may you have peace and love in your daily lives.

Namaste

Texel is the heart of Holland

Greetings,

When this blog started on my journey here in Holland, it was negative. Now, that I have thought a bit there will be no animosity written.

Holland, beautiful flowers, lush fields, hidden treasures upon it's many canals, and yes great cheese. I spent most of my time with family and friends, so that is all I know Holland to be. Just love and laughter, joyous moments with children, smiles shared over the dinner table, and a picnic with nothing but good times.

I did find a very special place here in Holland, Texel. It is a lovely little island where beaches stretch as far as the eye can see. it is truly the heart of Holland way up north.

My journey is near it's end here, I leave Wednesday to return to the UK for a couple of days.

Will write a final blog then.

Namaste.

Rob the Bruce and William Wallace

What a land they lived and loved on. Scotland. Many stories have been written about it's battles with England, many famous writers hale from here and many a bagpiper wearing their kilts proudly, still play familiar songs that make you smile. There is so much more to this land than that. The highlands, the Lochs, the people, the incredible vistas. For a photographer Scotland is natures light box. It's rich sunsets, violent threatening clouds, erratic showers with splashes of sunshine. the rolling hills with mist tumbling down them, all of this is about. Untraveled paths that promise a surprise that will take your breath away. I fell in love, head over heels with it all.

I had stated on one occasion that if a place is well signed than the people are rude and if a place is not, the people are wonderful. I will retract that statement. Scotland has the best of both. Perhaps I shouldn't have judged places, just maybe I learned to accept a place for what it is and not it's inhabitants.

Scotland wears her kilts proudly as she does her history, and I am honoured to have had this time with her, upon her Lochs and rolling within her glens. I will be back for Scotland has taken a piece of me that I must revisit.

Next stop Amsterdam. Friends and good times await.

Namaste