Contemplating Life's Journey. . . A Philosophical Workbook
attitudes. . . behaviors. . . emotions. . . impressions. . . influence. . . inspiration. . . God
by
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Once I was called wildflower... and it was such a compliment to me.
Thoughts began to flow as to what a wildflower just might be...
The word unfolded memories, conjured up ideas and visions, and moments of complete satisfaction. I felt happy as the wildflower picture grew in my mind, with sadness only when thought was given to the human that could not understand just why there were wildflowers, and what they could come to mean if we looked upon them as a timely surprise or delight. Moments come to mind of bouquets filled with color, diversity, and a fullness of life, instead of the controlled sameness of some flower groupings...roadside surprises as one speeds down the pavement, suddenly having that flash of beauty and color catch one's eye, distracting us from the monotonous path, and replacing what once seemed boring into thoughts that let the imagination smile...hillsides of grass suddenly filled with blankets of orange and yellow and purple and pink and white, all color stretching for miles, supporting and giving light to the nature of the land...a green grass lawn, oh so manicured, finding purple violets bursting forth with laughter for the soul... avocado orchards planted so neatly, surrounded by fences to protect from the human, but those same fences also made invisible by the beauty and fierceness of wild roses. Wildflowers...some climbing their way to the sky, intertwining and mixing easily with whatever their environment might include, others so tiny and low they might go unnoticed unless one stops long enough to linger and seek--what does being a wildflower suggest?...the lack of sameness and uniformity...to seek the unique, and bring an element of surprise, for one is not sure where or when they might appear...and yet, with them is the delight of anticipation, the wonder of all that surrounds us, and the willingness to play their part and find their place within the corner of life that has been given to them...they participate, enhance, and complete the element meant for here and now...they fit in, and yet stand out... It is exciting that God gives us the diversity, beauty, color, surprise, and anticipation of a wildflower...always happily wondering where one might bloom next...so, let us...
Grow freely, unhindered by the controls we humans think we must have...
Be unique in who we are, unafraid that there might be non-approval ...
Join in and learn, but stand out for what we are...
Conform to do the right thing, but show diversity where it can enhance others...
Stand up when it means there is a message to pass on,
but sit still while others try to share...
Listen carefully, but draw one's own conclusions--
teach patiently the rightness of what we may have learned...
Give love, and turn our backs to meanness...
Be there whenever we see the need...
Anticipate the joy, give smiles and laughter,
but never lose sight of who one is and all God has meant us to be--
a wildflower in this life.
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About the Book
The goal of Contemplating Life’s Journey... a philosophical workbook would be to cause all of us to think, be curious, seek answers, and be inspired within our own lives. It is about our search for truth within ourselves. It is facing up to our realities, and seeking our best. The words are meant to appeal to anyone interested in finding and defining their own foundation, character, belief system, and inner being. All of us can relate to the topics, which are the issues we face every day, both within ourselves, and out in the world... asking and learning how, why, and to what end. These commentaries are about challenging and expanding ourselves to go beyond our bias, presumptions, prejudice, and overall perspective, moving us outside our comfort zone... a place difficult, but necessary if our spirits are ever to mature.
About the Author
kristine is originally a native of California, but has spent her adult life traveling, living, and observing throughout the country. She and her New England husband find themselves currently in Texas for their most recent project.
Her essays and commentaries are the words that give expression to the mental snapshots of her observations, as she seeks the spirit and soul, feelings and emotions, of people, places, and our environment, of our attitudes and behaviors, and of our impressions, thoughts, and wisdom. She studies our common search for acceptance and God that we may celebrate life together as one. It is the obvious life experiences we all see, translated into the less than obvious we seek--hopefully to find reasons understood, and solutions with spiritual wisdom.