Photo Friday: Within the Trees

In the thick of the trees, there’s various perspectives.
In the dense late evening air, there’s an amber glow to the setting sun.
In the rows of thornes, there’s a national identity skewed by greed.
In the midst of it all, there’s a sense of calmness and chaos. Welcome to America.

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The first photo was taken in December 2023, as the weather was nice outside and that I could feel the close of the year drawing near. The glow outside was gorgeous and the presence of universal energy fueled me to pause for a moment, before returning inside.
What drives me forward? Is it the rise and setting of the sun?
At the core of our being, nature begins and ends our days and seasons. When its mid-winter we are restless to be outdoors. Mother Nature encourages us to continue to be patienc eand rest- we will need this energy when we cycle towards the Summer Solstice. During the winter months, we find ourselves sitting in the spaces we have made and sometimes the reflection is foggy. We think we are doing okay and then we realize that we are not mentally well.
That was my realization this week, as I suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I don’t always acknowledge this trait within me but I needed to this week. Why? Because while I am ready to start a fresh new garden in the spring and go back outside for nature photography, I need to continue to rest and heal my soul in this transitional period. There’s a continuous need to provide my soul with rest and love. One of the ways I go about doing this is having at least 2-3 hours to myself, in solitude. I can be at home or out in nature, byt the consistent part for me to embrace the solitude will be when:
A. I spend time away from other people. This is to rest my social energy and reclaim my internal energy.
B. Low technology, no social media. There’s a reason I post online and then ghost for a while- I tend to burnout easily. By low tech, by the way, I am refering to reducing my technological noise and only streaming music, if desired.
C. Intention- what intention am I setting for this daily session? On Valentines Day, I journaled and read a book on the patio. Yesterday, I took a nap with my cats and then journaled on the patio. Today, I’ll probably reflect on these mid-winter blues and continue to spend time out on the patio.

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The second photo I took last week while at a cafe. The wind was shifting the tree branches and the American flag waved in the distance. I liked how the flags seemed to be weaving in and out of the branches, as if our country and state of Oklahoma were in tourmoil. In the thick of the woods. In the eye of the storm.
There’s days where I worry and stress about the chaos we have allowed into our communities. The amount of homeless humans on the street; the pollution and erosion of our natural environments; and the loss of human rights in any area of our lives. America, a country that has woven itself into every branch of history and globalization continues to ignore some pleas from their citizens and echo our historical past with similar actions. When will we, as a society, learn to build safer communities and healthier living environments? I don’t know the answer to my hypothetical question, but I hope the picture and ramblings made you pause for a moment.
I rarely discuss politics and government “stuff” on my website or on social media. Today, I just ask that you all make sure you are registered to VOTE. VOTE in your local, state, and federal elections. Take the time to know the platforms and be willing to research these candidtates platforms. By the way- I don’t care who you vote for. What matters is you let your voice be heard and you go VOTE on what aligns with you and your values.

Life. Creativity. Empowerment.