A bloom that had never existed in the world before… ?
A baby was born today.
We’re told three hundred thousand babies are born each day around the world
That works out to be more than 200 babies born worldwide per minute.
A New Year…
After the advent of innocence, purity and potential… With boldness, grace & simplicity… ‘the dance’ of life continues…
Wordless truths,
lost amongst plentiful joy, trumpets and ‘tingles, might bloom through dark emptiness, healing wounds and lightening worries.
The thing that can be told is not the eternal thing…
Just notice.
Amaryllis
Out of timidity, pride, determination and beauty, a timid nymph Amaryllis fell deeply in love with Alteo, a shepherd with unbelievable strength. Her affection was not returned. The oracle of Delphi suggested the thing Alteo desired the most was a bloom that had never existed in the world before. That bloom is said to have come from the blood of the dying Amaryllis’ heart.
Who needs Angels eh? Happy daze, chin chin, ding dong merrily; did you see thingy on the telly; Happy Christmas and a merry New Year! Ain’t milk brillyunt; God, I’ll never be able to eat all that Toblerone; let it snow, let it snow; where did I put the Jameson’s? Chris Tingle. If it doesn’t fit you’ll have to send it back; nuts! Last Christmas I gave you my heart; did you buy crackers? Well, the kids enjoyed it…
Perhaps we all might benefit from remembering ‘angels’ after the show…
Last Christmas I pondered ‘angels’ ’…then the angel departed’ *.
When the angels depart; after the expected bright lights, illusions, melodies and stories; I hope we can cling on to some form of new hope and promise that might be found somewhere amongst the salty riches and cloying delicacies that accompany the obligatory celebrations.
We’ve all experienced after-show emptiness, and the New Year will no doubt promise plenty that might smother any voids that appear.
Back to angels…
“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” says Saint Augustine.
Thank god for angels.
Those who have kids will know that the little imps also have beautiful heart-rending angelic moments. We all know that we can learn a lot by being reminded about humility, honesty, and those childlike tendencies that all too early can get smothered, blurred and forgotten in the race towards grown-up-ness.
I could also name a good selection of ‘friends’ that constantly radiate angelic attitudes, and then there are the strangers that we pass who briefly lighten the load with a kind word, a smile, a helping hand or some timely advice or support.
There are angels in our world and I suggest we all can benefit by simply acknowledging them if not embracing them.
Popular culture fuels bling, pride, selfish discrimination and shallow sensationalism, but if we can get past the indigestion and dis-ease that this creates, a dose of angelic humility and praise might be just the tonic.
A bit of a tradition on the days leading up to Christmas – It seems every Christmas I remember from Cornwall included these mini marvels! But take my word for it they don’t hang around, soooooo morish – ansome me lover! From what I recall, this is me mum’s recipe with a few twists.
This year I put a peck (or six) of chilli in! NICE!
What you feel when the doorbell rings… What you do when you see a child run into the road… What you think when you see a tenner lying on the pavement…
What do you do when you see a person fall? What makes your mouth curve and your cheeks rise? What makes your eyes water and your chest tight?
What do you feel when you are reminded of what you forgot? This is your essence, your heart, your soul… Your innermost feeling, your gut reaction…
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also… Here you might find your soul? It’s not the thing, person or issue that makes you smile, cry, dance, sing, eat, shout, help or lash out, it’s you reacting, it’s you being live; your heart, your essence, your soul… Our essence, our soul, our heart is coloured by what we take in. What we eat, listen to, read, love, hold on to, treasure…
We can choose to be-live to our heart, soul… or perhaps we’ll just pretend.
The simplest smile from a man in red hat. The giggles from a child as he holds his mum’s hand. The ‘Hi ya!’ from the family as they leave their flat. The morning puja.
The nod of hello, a man in yellow, on patrol. The smiles as the boy and his dad ride their bikes. The wave of the lady that helps cross the road. The morning welcome.
The chatter of the ladies on fluorescent daily run. The ‘morning’ from the girl with the curly dog. The warmth of the morning sun. The warmth of community.
The courtesy of the man in the green hatchback. The eyes that smile as they wait for their bus. The fellow people that you see every day. The strength of the morning.
All this puts the ignorance of the man in the black saloon in his place. He’s still a danger though, #forbearance, becare!
Trees; their forms, colours, textures, details, patterns, etc.
That’s a theme posited by a contemplative photography group that I’m linked with. To be honest, my past projects have been very ‘nature’ related and I am a tad tree-ed out at the mo. But it’s been on my mind. The group’s creations and ruminations may lead to reflections on the period of ‘advent’ that is also imminent.
IMAGES – As I say, my scrapbook is bare. I have not risen to the task… but have mulled it over. I have not felt moved to ‘capture’ moments on camera. Instead, I have found myself occasionally absorbing and soaking up things that I may have previously tried to capture and be creative with. So currently there’s a lack of material, but there is a tangible resonance and spirit of the temporary season we are in. Eeeek! Empty, lacking, absent, redirection…
ADVENT – Alongside this we have the season of ‘advent’. In recent years, I have followed a the vibrant ‘advent’ capers led by Brian Draper. Alas, he’s busy this year with other commitments. So no guiding twinkle. Eeeeek! Absence, loss, redirection…
I am left with thoughts of the #temporary #brief #limited #momentary #transitory #ephemeral #impermanent #mortal #perishable #shifting #transient #volatile #interim #changeable #evanescent #fleeting #fugacious…
What are your plans for Advent?
Indeed, do you ‘plan’ advent or does it just happen?
I mentioned the other day that true ‘friend’liness, whether merely passing or with the value of ‘times past’, is extremely powerful.
Some will say whatever; “I couldn’t care less… stop chasing rainbows”. I find that reaction sad, it’s not about rainbows it’s about the here and now and the person and place around the next corner. True friendliness can change your world. ❤ was created ★ !
People knock social media for its shallowness and frippery, but consider the fact that a significant % of your life is now online (you’re online now), a significant proportion of your spending decisions will be made online. ‘Online life’ is a fact. Like anything, it’s how you interact with (react to) social media that gives it value.
Stars and Hearts
A lot’s been written recently about Twitter’s break this year with its 10-year-old ‘favourite’ gold star ★ symbol and its new adoption of a ‘like’ red heart ❤ symbol.
Other platforms already use the heart but for tweeters “Oh no, no, no!” was the initial outcry and a quick reactive poll about the change with more than 9000 votes said 12% liked it and 88% disliked it. No! to the hearts!! We don’t ‘like’ change do we? I must say when I first saw the little heart ❤ I thought it a bit childish and not as worthy as the star ★ . Not really appropriate for the cut and thrust of twittersphere.
However Twitter has reported that “It’s a change that’s been fantastic for the platform… We see now 6% more hearts, 6% more likes on Twitter than we saw with favorites…”
As I say, a lot’s been written about the ★ and ❤ thing – you can ‘like’ a lot of things, but a lot of things can’t be your ‘favourite’. The heart ideograph has a lot of loaded baggage, as has the star glyph. Lots of ‘nations’ have stars ★ on their banners but unless I am mistaken none has a heart (yet). The heart icon has only relatively recently gained the “loves” significance with the 1970’s “I ❤ NY” etc.
In the end all ‘they’ want is our love (& ££££). But £ aside, is it more effective to heartily think ‘I love this’ with a heart, or register ‘I think this is good’ with a star? In our European culture, a heart is more emotional than a star. Oh no, emotion!! Can’t go there can we?
I have not been a publicly cuddly person, I dislike public shows of affection and I sigh at the mention of “heartfelt wishes” and “send them my love” etc. And, I hate (yes, extremely dislike; I think it’s quite unhelpful) the use of the heart when referring to the idea of a soul. But, I have warmed to the little heart ❤ symbol. Perhaps it’s living with (and loving) three females or perhaps I am getting old.
What’s in a symbol?
Depending on your culture there can be a lot of connotative significance given (loaded) to a heart or star symbol but from my perspective…
Star ‘symbol’ special, scientific, fame, pointy, sharp, characteristic, celestial, attainment, high ideals, distant, imaginary?
Of course there will always be those that hate (Grrrrrrffff!) both stars and hearts, but I say again; true ‘friend’liness, whether merely passing or with the value of times past, is extremely powerful.
Seasonally you can debate and argue about the mythical star ★ in the east and the significance of the story. But I don’t think you can argue with the heart ❤ element. We love because we were first loved 1 John 4:19 . Immanuel, ❤ was made flesh ★ ?
I guess it’s a choice, click ❤“I love life” or ★ “I think life is good”
I have written before about living with ‘our dog‘; “one can’t help noticing the warmth of a living creature when it sleeps on your lap. When he looks for attention. When he shows ‘signs’ of affection. When he identifies with you … you feel closer to nature, more alive…”
So photos… Whether you’d like bespoke pictures taken of your little buddy, or if you have prints that you’d like improved – a lot is possible!
You can see here a few projects that I’ve completed below; Fly, Kite, Rigsby and Bracken…
In the cases below, I have been asked to take a selection of new shots, and I have reworked them for use as canvas prints, framed prints and birthday cards etc.
If I can help with some new shots/prints of your little (or big) buddy, just let me know!
Kite and Fly – Cornish working CockersRigsby – A fine old, nay mature, chocolate Lab.Bracken – a loveable Spaniel / Poodle (Cockapoo)
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(of course all this helps keep the other ‘dog‘ in its place).
As part of my work for ‘Bookmark People’ I created a suite of nine a ‘Reading is good for you’ designs each highlighting a specific point.
As part of my work with ‘Bookmark People’, we’ve seen Public Libraries’ Health and Well-being collections frequently promoted using our 
Who needs Angels eh? 
Black Friday Saloon.
I guess it’s a choice, click 
Jules P Richards 