Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning.
Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.
True or false?
Once upon a time?
Thy hands have made and fashioned me:
give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments.
(Psalms 119:73)
Have you ever read or seen something that melds into your heart and mind with a force that propels you to ponder in amazement?
Sunday, October 24, 2021 — An incredible scene lures me onto the porch to enjoy a sunrise with someone special in my life. While we only briefly stood, separated by oceans, yet together on the porch, staring in awe, I felt something spark within. The romanticism in me reads myself into the developing plot. I see and feel the scene living a life of its own.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 — A scripture reading in the King James Bible (Psalms 119:73) somehow serves as a reminder for an unusual experience this past Sunday. I cannot separate them or figure out how they go together. I acknowledge the hand of God in my life, the beauties of this world and His creations.
Maybe I am looking beyond the mark?
What more is there to learn than the following?
And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
King James Holy Bible, Genesis 1:31
Simply following my heart, I write with hopes to understand, learn, remember and clarify my thoughts. Me, I am not a spectator. Each day brings me back to that place in time and space. Nature has a way of speaking with my soul. Perspective, choices, direction, and the treasures of my heart receive instruction, quiet assurances, and peace as I contemplatively sit still while waiting with glistening eyes, listening ears, and touching the intangible.
Daily, ofttimes more than once a day for several weeks, replaying itself when remembering the emotional connectedness I felt in a now moment by looking at a photo taken seconds before a video call enabling sharing an experience, I feel a sense of wonder.
I could not anticipate the combined effect of this particular vista’s memory and scripture reading upon my introspective nature. Almost unbelievingly, I am being written into its story, as if a fairytale, every time I revisit that Sunday morning. Its beauty, evident in the colours, temperature, darkness, light, and clouds, paints happiness in gratitude. Words come, in quick succession, as some form of interpretive translation.
The morning slowly rises,
clothed 'neath shadows blue-grey.
Peeking through autumn's chill,
a patchwork quilt, her way.
Her breath, a ribboned edge,
smooth velvet-like appears,
whispers 'cross dark with light
blazing a trail, warmth sears.
Dawning flames spread pink hues,
stoking daylight's promise,
dreamy remnants, night's hope,
blendings mysterious.
What am I to glean from these words playing a rhythmic melody within my brain? Rising like the dawning of a new day, the promise of choice and opportunity spreads hope, no matter the weather, awakening my senses. Some lyrics from a Jim Croce song escape my lips (out of tune, I am sure), “If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can’t I paint you?” Yet I see a picture and it brings a personal message straight to my heart and desires, mysteriously blending intangible and impossible (to the finite mind) possibilities.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 — Back on my paddleboard this morning while the sun shines between darkening cloud bursts and foggy-like fingers playing havoc with the misty veil, reach from clouds to water, disguising the distant horizon. Entranced, I paddle towards the wonder. The south wind brushes my cheeks and nose with a reminder of the coolness of November, seamlessly blending amid rays of warmth.
Reflections dance across the surface as kelp stretches upward as if trying to break through its glassy ceiling, like a mighty tree seeming to touch the sky. My imagination soars as I look below and receive much-needed inspiration for my young adult novel. I see a world reminiscent of a satellite view of the earth. Forests of green and brown, islands of low-lying vegetation, open spaces, sandy beaches, dunes, and desert oasis capturing light, dark, and shades in between freckled with thousands of shimmering highlights; minnows flitting to and fro. I feel part of the underwater world from above as I visualize myself exploring its depths and forms. I balance between two worlds, so similar and yet different. Carefully leaning to touch the surface, I smile then ponder, seeking to immerse myself in the experience, silently expressing thankfulness through appreciation.
Today, I also remember an October Sunday morning and the stark cloud cover being pushed aside by the light of an autumn twilight making way for sunrise. This November sky slowly darkens as grey clouds, now burdened with ominous hues, spread like wings across any open blue space as I now determinately paddle the remaining two kilometres until I reach the beach. Signs in the sky prompt an increasing speed of my strokes, but a surety lies within my heart that all is well, I will safely reach the shore. A magnificent picture of noonday contrasts stretches above, around and within me, just like ripples and billowing pillows catch and shift light.
I understand and know the truth within my heart.
Symbolism, I see, meant to guide, instruct, and encourage me on the voyage of my life, dawns refreshingly anew.
My dreams,
my hopes,
my trust,
my stewardships,
my faith
dawning upon me.
Sometimes, things are simply uncomplicated, nothing deep or hidden, no secret message beyond what is staring me right in the face.
Accept and embrace what is now, behind are scars and healings, fear not the future for tomorrow will be today, my inheritance, before becoming the past, my legacy.
Life happens . . . so do dawnings
(or to put it in other terms)
awakenings, understandings, realizations, risings —
all in the realm of living each day,
being still in moments,
seeing,
feeling,
touching,
pondering,
seeking,
thanking.
Red sky, morning or night, I gaze, not for predictions but beauty.
All within the hands of the Creator is good, very good.
Signs and symbols –slow down, stand still, watch, enjoy, and be alive to the world around and within.
Eternity stretches across the expanse and settles in hearts.
=> What picture are you painting each day?
=> What experiences are dawning moments in your life?
© Vicki Nicholls 2021
FYI (from the Oxford Dictionary): DAWN, DAWNING
noun
- the first appearance of light in the sky before sunrise. “The rose-pink light of dawn”
- coming into existence, the beginning of a phenomenon or period of time, especially one considered favorable. “The dawn of civilization”
verb
- (of a day) begin. “Thursday dawned bright and sunny”
- become evident to the mind; be perceived or understood. “The awful truth was beginning to dawn on him”
- come into existence. “A new era of land-use policy was dawning”
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I need to be more contemplative. I think I need to spend more time outdoors, as that is, where some potential deep thinking will occur.
Enjoy and beware.
You are amazing. If only I could convey my thoughts in writing as you do. I love reading your postings.,
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.