Thinking Blossoms

Snakes

Don't expect a photo with this post - I wasn't about to get the camera out!

Several times I've seen them since I've been here (Florida that is - see my other blog -www.rawinscotland.com . One was at least a metre long, black, and snaking rapidly across the path.  One was small and brightly striped and not moving so fast. Each time I stopped, stock still and watched, not wanting to attract any attention until the snake was well on its way. I was glad I didn't tread on either so felt a twinge of relief each time that the snake seemed to be on its own journey and not ready to engage with me in any way. It wasn't scary though, just interesting. Two for the I-Spy book of snakes or a Girl Guide badge perhaps.

It reminded me of when years ago I spent weeks in a forest monastery in Thailand and was once sitting meditating by myself a little away from the huts in a slightly jungly patch of trees. As I opened my eyes I saw a large snake, at least a metre long (or has it been growing in my imagination in the interim?) slithering , left to right, less than two feet in front of me. I was in such a calm state from meditating that I was completely unfazed.

Probably a more helpful reaction in the circumstances than panic or fear!

In the moment when something potentially dangerous is going on, choosing to stay calm, uninvolved actually, is a helpful choice. When there is old contitioning there may be fear or panic and I think it's important to remember you have a choice about how you respond to past contitioning.

When there's an overtly emotional reaction it may actually make the situation worse - I wonder whether a frightened snake or a snake in the vicinity of a sudden flurry of human activity is more likely to bite?

What is there snaking around in your reality that is actually better ignored?  Responses to this appreciated - I think it's an important topic.

Celebrating the different nature of another place

I just like this photo (click on photo to enlarge). Not sure what I'll say that might be profound!!

It can be easy to notice all the beauty in a different place, but that sharpens the eyes for what is to be seen right where you are now. Even if it is just the the last leaf on a neglected potted plant on a windowsill it has beauty.

It's also easy to look across to what someone else has or at what their business is and to think 'Ooooh, that looks so good!'. But perhaps what you already have is good too?

Nature in Florida is very, very beautiful. But there's beauty everywhere.

I think one thing I like about these three little palm trees are that they are recently planted, nicely placed in an already lovely garden.

What can be added to whatever is already growing in your life, work and business?

Different stages of growth

I took these daffodils-in-city-square photos in Edinburgh before I left to spend a month here in Florida where I'm busy writing a book on wellness. It was gorgeous watching the spring unfolding in Edinburgh. This first photo  (click on photos to enlarge) shows the freshness and vibrancy of the daffodil flowers at their best. Something is going on with them underground all year round but this is their glory moment. And there's a young tree, not much more than a sapling, which still needs support in order to get off to a good start. And the green grass, present all year round whatever the weather. I'm sure you can find helpful metaphors there for different aspects of your business, perhaps various activities and projects at different stages and producing different results.

Then in this second photo there is the solid presence of a mature tree, no longer needing support. It just keeps growing from year to year. It yields seeds. In fact it's now also host to a fine dusting of something. Lichen? And in this photo you can also see the crocuses just starting to die back, their flowering just passing.

How would it be to look at your work, business or home life in this way, thinking about your various projects as different plant forms, growing and changing? Needing different care and attention from you as seasons pass?

I'm hoping to get some veggies going in my garden this year so who knows what tendrils of thought will grow from that!

And talking of veggies, plants to eat, my new blog is up and running. Still a few things to be done to perfect it but you are welcome to wander over for a look: Alive and Raw in Scotland ....and Beyond  I'd love to read your comments :-)