181. twilight over the trees in minneapolis
clouds dancing
to the dwindling light
lingering in the sky
deep blues
bright oranges
they collide
into the clouds
soft ethereal skin
bathing in divine radiance
180. little crab exploring out of its hole
venturing out into the unknown
can be scary
it can be very fun as well
the choice is made inside your self
enjoy the present
it is all there is
and it is all yours
179. gondolas flying over a mountain pass
we are all in this together
no matter how separate
how individual we may think we are from one another
flying in our little bubbles
we are all part of each other
all one
what you see
is a reflection of your self
178. children playing the african drums
when you hear the drums beat
an ancestral rhythm
starts moving you
from inside out
born inside the heart
the beat fills you up with life
bringing people together
for the joy of being together
a wisdom so profound
words become unnecessary
177. lassen peak reflecting upon helen lake
how turbulent are the thoughts growing inside of you?
when the waters of the mind become calm
the reflection staring back at you is clear
these moments of clarity
allow a glimpse
into the real
into the boundless
beautiful self you embody
set sail onto the vast expanses of your mind
look for your reflection
what do you see
staring back at you?
176. sliced durian at a market in bangkok
spiky
intensely pungent
unquestionably unique
loved by some, hated by others
opinions opinions
say what they say
be who you are
listen to your self
honor what is pure
it comes from within
go inside
let it shine
175. light between two hong kong skyscrapers
when a dream is born inside
and you feel the call to create your vision
fear may come into your mind
disguised as doubt
it can creep into your heart and kill your dreams
paralyzing your creative impulse
release the illusion of fear
there is a unique voice inside
seek it
go within
find your voice
bring your light into the world
174. dragonfly perched on a hibiscus petal
fragile and impermanent
in a constant state of change
life is fleeting
it comes
it goes
through the fluctuations
remain present
enjoy every single moment
every single breath
you are whole
one with everything and everyone around you
173. north avenue beach house from the top of the john hancock
from up high
everything down below seems tiny
a unique vantage point
to put life into perspective
we are a tiny particles dancing
in a boundless playground
so let go of your worries
embrace your dreams
and fly high
172. blue gold macaw observing past its right wing
a sun ray catches the lens of the bird’s eye
setting it aflame
a sublime combination
of color and form
nature coming alive
to express its wondrous and infinite beauty
171. bread & pickle
sitting right at the edge of the water
castle-like gables invite everyone
to unwind and bask in the glory of a perfect summer day at the lake
boats lazily bobbing up and down
ducks quacking about
people hanging out
a cool breeze and rolling clouds
come into a perfect dance with the sun
170. a mountain at tahoe
a lonely rock juts out of the mountain
like pilgrims, the pine trees surround the massive monument
worshipping in silent reverence and awe
the stark, raw temple rising against the naked blue sky
169. handwoven split palm fronds in a desert village
each one of us is a strand
interwoven
we are linked together
dancing into the spiral
our paths cross
forming patterns
together we are one
168. elderly woman sitting by the red gate
past the little narrow alleys
winding into canals with ancient stone bridges
chinese gondolas gliding underneath
the humble woman sits
and watches the people go by
167. la basílica de los ángeles
hundreds of thousands of romeros
costa rican pilgrims, from all walks of life
they take the streets to cartago, the old capital
once a year, the country comes to a halt
the masses walk as one
their strife ends on their knees, inside the basílica
face to face with ‘la negrita’
la virgen de los ángeles
they come with prayers
to give thanks
to ask for their loved ones
to meditate on how to become
the highest version of your self
166. irazú
when clouds start forming
know that a storm may come
darkness will envelop you
rain will fall
so go outside
face the rain and start dancing
remember always
high beyond the clouds
the sun is shining
165. tiny twig
.
like an explosion of fireworks
a tiny twig soars through the air
culminating in delicate leaves
luminous flares of yellow and purple
reaching out for the light
164. brays bayou
a small body of water
is enough to remind you
just how alive and connected we are
to everything else
163. daulatabad fort
the passage of time can be mysterious and elusive
five minutes in despair can feel like an eternity
while a whole day in joy and laughter can fly by our eyes
ancient rocks carved hundreds of years ago speak to us
still standing, they form a sacred shelter amid ruins of a bygone era
yet a very present conversation is still carried forth
new feet still step inside
generations upon generations come
with their hopes and dreams
anxieties and fears
our troubles are but a drop in the ocean
to these stones who have seen the ages come and go
they know that the ocean is but a drop in comparison to the infinite universe that is love
162. chard
life seems to not make any sense at all at times
but there are moments when all the pieces come together
everything makes perfect sense
for an instant, all the pieces fit
only to see them all fall apart
as the veins are running through the leaves
so are ours running through our bodies
pumping blood
gushing life
in and out
coming and going
it is this ebb and flow
this coming and going
of pain and suffering
pleasure and delight
that lets us appreciate life
in all its beautiful and diverse manifestations
161. sea anemones and clown fish
a classic example of symbiotic mutualism
they protect each other from their respective predators
both provide food and habitat for each other
in this natural relationship, the anemone and the fish benefit from each other’s company
let us take this lesson from nature
seek that which builds mutualism in your relationships
160. cotton candy
every little bit counts
no matter how big or how small
how grand and magnificent
or how worthless or insignificant
your efforts may seem to you
keep doing them
because they matter
actions matter
whether you realize that
or not
life thrives on life
so just being alive
is a contribution
just breathing in and out
is a start
take it from there
and the rest will follow
believe in yourself
your actions will speak for themselves
159. on picking your nose
a sometimes irresistible urge
at times unconscious
we have been told a million times not to do it
yet, sooner or later, we all fall to temptation
just because the finger fits the hole, doesn’t mean you have to stick it in there
it’s hard to grow up
158. la neblina
up in the mountains at volcán irazú
tiny wildflowers and a soft carpet of grass become the edges of the road
a fence made of branches
gives monumental scale to the ancient tree
a silent, standing, patient witness to the curtains of mist
showering the earth below
photothought 