A Scene Painted By Nature ...........6/9/13

         I'm tired---worn out after seeing three clients.  I'm heading for bed after writing this.   I worked and cycled today.  But, I'm happy.  My baseball team, the San Francisco Giants, won today, one-and-a-half games out of first place.  They had been struggling.

         It was blustery as I cycled home, after work.  The sleeves to my windbreaker flapped in the breeze, sounding like a kite as the wind filled my ears with its roar.  Gearing down, I pressed headlong into
the northwesterly gusts, I was slowed down to 10 mph, compared to my normal rate of 15 mph.

        Riding along San Leandro Bay, homeward bound, is the most scenic route.  Having time alone, especially after seeing people, recharges my batteries, allowing me to thrive.  Time in nature allows me to celebrate life, and the world, and its wonders.

         Despite the strongly moving wind, the scene that engulfed me was still.  Birds were not in abundance.  There was the occasional robin or egret, but no ducks or geese.  During one of my pauses----as I stopped and admired the beauty of the bay---a blackhawk, with white feathers underneath his wings, paused, dead still, above me.  His silent, ominous, greeting inspired awe.

         With outstretched wings, he was motionless, facing the Pacific winds----painted into the sky, framed by the abundance of clouds.  No hovering kite could match his majesty.  I was glad not to be a mouse or small bird.
 
My Gratitudes for Today: 
1.  This morning, I had several hours of Quiet time. For more about about different ways of having this type of time, you can read here.  I invested in me.  I'm recharged when I rescued from the white noise of busy urban living and regain my bearings.
2.  I'm thankful for surge of Russian, German, Canadian and Ukrainian guests. Thank you, for dropping by regularly.  I also appreciate my largest readership, over 4,000 from the United States, in the past 30 days.
3.  The beauty of music. This morning, I listened to Handel.  My soul was refreshed.
4.  I'm sleeping better, having dreams that I remember, upon waking.  That's not usually the case.
5.  I appreciate the  personal strength, direction and integrity I have when placing principles above personalities, including mine.  More importantly, I thank God for the serenity that nurtures me when I stay in the moment, breathe in life and maintain balance----giving myself time to be and not be with others.

     Good night, I'll see you tomorrow.