Monday, 31 May 2021

Friday, 28 May 2021

Wisdom

All human wisdom is summed up in two words: 
wait and hope. 
 - Alexandre Dumas

Monday, 24 May 2021

Friday, 21 May 2021

May 21, 2021 Chautauqua



Beth's Ponderings

   Have you looked up at the sky lately?  I mean, really truly looked at the sky?

   One of the things I love most about living in Alberta is the sweeping vistas we have here.  You can see for miles and miles, and most of that view is wide open sky in all directions.

   While I’ve been a sky admirer for most of my life, I have been appreciating it even more recently because, for approximately three weeks, I’ve been creating a simple daily “sky” drawing on my ipad each morning.  As I’m an early riser, and the view I’m using is out my window looking east, the drawings have been mostly sunrises now, but I’ve also completed ones reflecting the sky’s appearance later in the morning or afternoon.  A few times, I did two as the sky changed so dramatically from when I started drawing the first one that I had to capture the change in a second one.

   Like a river, the sky is never static.  While at first glance it may seem to be the same, the sky is constantly changing - as the sun moves from east to west, and as the clouds drift in and out.   The colours are always shifting too, not just at sunrise and sunset.   And, there is also the beauty of the night sky to explore with its stars and the ever changing phases of the moon. 

   The sky gives you a bigger perspective as it is immense enough to contain and handle whatever weather may be occurring.  A thunderstorm in one direction doesn’t detract from what is happening in the other three directions.  Have you looked at the sky today?

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B6IFEvac0EMw--70U_ksSYFJbrHWtweu/view?usp=sharing

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Wednesday, 19 May 2021

Time

Spend more time doing things 
that make you forget about the time. 
 - Charlotte Eriksson

Monday, 17 May 2021

Stillness

To remain still means to move with time,
 to move with the Universe.  
Stillness is actually the state of moving 
with the Universe in unison.  
 - Pedram Shojai

Friday, 14 May 2021

Wednesday, 12 May 2021

Doors

Once you get clear on what you really want to do, 
all kinds of doors will open for you. 
 - Ken Blanchard

Friday, 7 May 2021

May 7, 2021 Chautauqua



Beth's Ponderings

   Every once in a while, if we are truly fortunate, we will do something that completely surprises us, and opens our perspective of what we are capable of accomplishing.  For me, the past few months have had a few of those moments.

   From completing the labyrinth last summer - including collecting a couple loads of rocks all by myself, to my weight gain, to the painting I completed when I participated in a virtual Hawaii retreat in mid-March (below, left: I still can’t believe I painted someone looking over their shoulder - and she’s more impressive in colour!), to my most recent accomplishment - I did the edging along the front sidewalk (below, right) - again, ALL BY MYSELF!!!!  Not only was it a very physical job, the grass had extended 3-4 inches over the sidewalk so it was a challenge!

   Because I have been unable to do anything for so many years, it is always amazing to me when I do something big.  In the mentorship group, my nickname is “Queen of Small Steps” and another friend recently called me “The Little Engine That Could.”  Wonder what’s next?

Beth


Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16fuU0TR_rd-qpbt6AcE2_MNwf9GjE3bp/view?usp=sharing

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Monday, 3 May 2021