Life Happens…

Into the wilderness of life, I travel daily, immersing myself with emotional and spiritual connectivity.
I see, feel, interpret my perspective, and withdraw into private chambers of my heart to discover a wealth of treasures.

While hiking a trail to go geocaching behind the iconic Fairmont Springs Hotel in Banff this past May with my son-in-law, I was amazed by the roots of trees exposed to the environment. One, in particular, caught our attention. We began studying it from different angles and taking pictures.  I cannot recall the first time I stopped to wonder at such a feat of nature, each time using my camera, a study in roots and balance.

For me, metaphors and symbols immediately come to mind.
My life is like my photographs, silently speaking a thousand words.
Adequate mostly, but failing to showcase dimensions of my heart,
hidden, below, around, above, through, and between, my story.

ROOTS and BALANCE

Roots exposed to the earth’s elements
exhibit the strength of all moments.
Stop, look up to see intertwining,
a legacy of life’s breath fighting.
The precipice, eroding under,
threatens but fails to lay asunder.
Firmly steadfast, by decades grounded,
wholesome, growth, unbridled love to spread.
Balance.

My family is like a quiver full of priceless arrows,
masterfully created by the All-knowing fletcher’s hand.
A tiny seed planted by generations past, my heritage,
graces the sloping mountainside, a stalwart trunk for growing
determined, strong, yet flexible branches, formed with perfect aim,
source of protecting love sowed deep in rough terrain and weather.
Roots.

Clamouring, incessant noise, tumult.
The trapping rubble of crumbling blocks echoing, bouncing off concrete walls.
Voices strain in feverish pitch, indiscernible commotion in confusion. I sit to ponder, withdraw into myself, and inhale deeply, stillness and silence amid chaos.
Unaffected, I rest within the beauty I see, feel, and touch beyond the visible world.
Balance.

Like a serenading waterfall flowing over me, your voice enchants.
Standing ‘neath refreshing cascading streams drenching me, your touch uplifts.
Through flesh and bones, head to toes receive living waters, your breath cleanses.
Roots.

O Earth, He placed you in celestial balance, companion of light.
Your glory assured, in your obedience His delight. 
O Earth, He knows your plea and measures your days, creations unfold.
Within your bosom, He brings forth rich glories to behold. 
O Earth, Why do you sink into despair then raise your voice on high?
Rest in dreams of waters pure and fill breezes with your sigh. 
O Earth, I understand groaning depths reaching through shadows
where light dances around, encouraging me to follow.
 Balance.

A hazy blanket traps the staggering, stagnant heat between water and sky,
choking my breath as the odour of scorched forests, drifting on the winds of change,
seep into crevices with a charring reminder of life’s fragility.
Withdrawing to known safety in the harbour of my soul, I slowly dip
my cup, pouring soothing relief to parched lips, mouth, and throat, replenishing life.
Roots.

Does confusion grip your mind?
Why?
What do you wish to know, feel, or understand from this most unusual post, a cipher of sorts?
I am here.
Where are you?
Words are more than mere words and photographs more than scenery.

Three photographs and six verses of prose. Metaphors and symbols.

My heart whispers which path to choose when wandering through the caves of life. My roots and balance lighten the way around shadows and silhouettes, providing nutrients, strength, quiet comfort, and awareness of the intangibles, the unseen, but felt. Touched by simplicity and complexity among every experience, I contemplate and see. Perspective and perception, expectations relinquished, faith, hope, and desires morph into greater depth, a personal journey in living, my story.

=>Are you willing to travel underground in your journey, to the center of yourself that gets buried in layers of mortality?
=>How will you balance yourself?

I wish you all the best in your endeavours, discoveries, explorations, where they lead, however difficult the terrain, and whenever you need to stand still. Your story does not write itself.

Life Happens . . . so do Roots and Balance