Hiding in Plain Sight

There he was, barely identifiable! I had heard a little splash, but it took a couple of minutes to spot his tiny face and bulging eyes in the murky, algae infested waters. He was hiding in plain sight. We are pretty adept at that too. We always have been. “Covering up” is an ingrained humanContinue reading “Hiding in Plain Sight”

Identity…A Deep Dive

Soon these freshly painted lobster buoys will be floating upon the ocean’s surface where their colors will mark the position of lobster traps lying on the bottom. Although these buoys cannot tell us what is happening underneath, their markings identify their owner and inspire a hopeful expectation for something good to surface. We know outwardContinue reading “Identity…A Deep Dive”

Significance and Success…

Dinghies at the Dock, Winter Harbor, Maine These colorful, little dinghies may seem insignificant, but they play an important role for sailors and fishermen as they ferry their owners from dock to boat and back again. Much of the time they are just idly floating and waiting until they are needed. Their “insignificance” is aContinue reading “Significance and Success…”

Is Easter over?

Spring in Maine is a season of renewal and optimism. From the bleak cold, dark, colorless winter, the earth miraculously redresses itself in green and promises rich colors in brilliant hues. Spring’s renewal is derived from the roots and seeds of a prior season and is filled with expectations of familiar fragrances, colors, blossoms, fruit,Continue reading “Is Easter over?”

Authentic

Although generally shy, male cardinals are unable to hide their brilliant color which marks their identity. However, who we are as humans is more about our core character than physical appearance or titles. Traits of honesty, reliability, caring, and compassion vouch for one’s genuineness, and sincerity is necessary for intimate relationships. Warren Buffet is quotedContinue reading “Authentic”

Beauty Within the Seeds…

Monhegan Island Poppies These beautiful poppies delight us. Fortunately, the wonderful ability to replicate their beauty is tightly wrapped inside them. However, if those tiny seeds are inappropriately used, there is potential for harm, addiction, destruction, and death lurking within them. With that in mind, the poppy seed becomes an example of what is soContinue reading “Beauty Within the Seeds…”

the wings of healing…

“The day is coming!” That pronouncement draws our attention! Predictions intrigue and sometimes unsettle us whether they are speculations about the stock market, actuarial tables, prognostications associated with diseases, habits and medical treatments, or discussions about political outcomes, Some of us even resort to tarot cards and fortune tellers to garner what might be comingContinue reading “the wings of healing…”

Burdened but Beautiful

Winter in Sullivan, Maine The way these trees and chairs have successfully held up under a heavy snowfall remind us that courage and strength withstanding the whims, burdens, and trials that life tosses at us are “beautiful”. Difficulties (whether self-inflicted, other-inflicted, or the complications of a broken universe) are the crucibles which reveal our coreContinue reading “Burdened but Beautiful”

Above the Mountains

J. Greshem Mechen, a Presbyterian theologian and founder of Westminster theological Seminary, was an avid mountain climber. His love for majestic peaks and beautiful vistas included hiking the peaks of Maine mountains. In a 1934 article for Christianity Today, he wrote: “There is far above any earthly mountain peak of vision a God high andContinue reading “Above the Mountains”

Getting a Grip

These roots are reminders of the phrase to “ get a grip,” which can have various meanings such as securing a physical hold on some item, exhibiting emotional control in an intense situation, or rethinking one’s position during a heated discussion! However, it also raises other considerations. We attach ourselves to relationships, “things,” actions, orContinue reading “Getting a Grip”