Author: robin

Religion and Spirituality

| robin

Is there a difference? Yes, there is.

Religion is a compartment, a label, a framework

for dealing with God. Religion seems more

external – something to use for show and to label.

A way to box us in. Why is it we feel a need for labels?

Spirituality, on the other hand, is within

an individual – often to be discovered in the

mundane, the everyday. It might be discovered

in a beautiful sunrise, the perfect petal of a flower,

or the song of a bird. It might be found in a thought,

a feeling, a word, or in poetry. It might be found in

the face of a child, their touch, or the spark that ignites

the fire of imagination. It might be discovered

in a scent that floods the soul with memories.

The miracle of God’s grace –

found in many ways and in many places –

yet uniquely our own.

from June 6, 2010

On being an empath…

| robin

Some things I just know –

No one tells me,

I just know.

I know what others are thinking and feeling –

sometimes I know what they’re doing –

It’s there in my mind – uninvited.

It’s there for me to know and later

find is true.

Some born in my mind-

Others born of dreams –

elusive, yet present –

there for an audience of one.

Because I love haiku…

| robin

Haiku for Autumn Morn

Cool wind through tree tops
As leaves fall like rain on this
Perfect autumn morn.

 

Haiku for the Crescent Moon

Curvy crescent moon

Shrouded by shredded clouds to

Make it more lovely.

 

Haiku for the Hand Painted Skies

Everywhere I look –
Hand painted skies surround me
Filling me with awe.

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Haiku for the Soft Rain

Sweet, soft summer rain

Steadily dampens the earth –
She gently swallows.

Haiku to Heavenly Sky

Oh heavenly sky
Pacify me with beauty
Soothe my troubled soul.

Haiku for Mist

Dazzling blue sky
With downy clouds above
Mist shrouded river.

Haiku for the Fog

River must be cold –
It’s wearing a fog blanket.
Hope you get warm soon.

Haiku to the River

What mysteries lie
Beneath your surface serene?
You hide them so well.

Haiku for Peaches

Sweet summer peaches
Juice drips down to my elbows
Luscious summer bliss.

Haiku for Queen Anne (and her lace)

Lace adorns the roads
Moving gently in the breeze
Perfect for a queen.

To box turtles everywhere:

Helped a turtle cross the road
Headed I know not where, but
I don’t have to know.

Haiku for the Heron

Rising from the mist
Ephemeral heron is
Almost like a dream.

Haiku for the River

Her warm breath rises
From the cold water beneath-
We know that she lives.

Haiku for the River

The scent, the sound of
The river as it rises
Yes, it is alive.

Haiku for the Hosta

Mysterious bloom
Gently unfolds its petals-
No longer unknown.

Butterfly

Flying flower has
Been grounded- not sure why, but
Moved it to safety.

Soothe Me

Summertime night sounds
Soothe me at end of day with
Their sweet steady beat.

Haiku for Fireworks

Magic lives in the
Artistry and Chemistry
That we call fireworks. 💥

Crescent Moon

Crescent moon in dark
Sky with clouds of pink and gray
Takes my breath away.

Drinking with my Eyes

Drinking with my eyes
All the bounty of the earth-
Thankful for farmers.

Sick at Heart

One bad decision
Leaves an animal in a
Pile of blood and bones.

 

 

So, June is over and gone…

| robin

The time of year that brings anxiety to a teacher’s heart – July. I am a dedicated teacher and lover of language and writing, but once the school year begins, the demanding and unrelenting nature of teaching, takes over my life. In summer, I always vow to do more, be more fun, and not let teaching take over, yet it always seems to. I often describe my job as a merry go round – once the kids arrive, the carousel begins – up and down, round and round – nothing deters it, until the kids leave at the end of the day. Then you must grade papers, get ready for the next day, go to many meetings, meet with parents, and try to fit in all the other things you’d like to do. How do I find the time and energy to do all I’d like to do? You’d think after 25 years, I’d have mastered everything about teaching, but alas, I still struggle with finding time for everything I need and want once the unrelenting year begins. But, I keep moving forward, hoping I’ll do a better job of fitting everything in. Maybe this year…

Hello world!

| robin

Nature is alive with all the entertainment I ever need. Sounds, sights, and smells surround me. Scents that can take me back to my childhood in my Grandmother’s garden, playing in the creek behind my house, and then there’s the smell of the river. Complex, yet simple, scents that nourish my soul. Sometimes I need, yes need, to be outside to let nature take me in and heal me.