Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Spiraling into Control

Diamond Head by Ted Trimmer



Palila bird

"Seek simplicity, and distrust it." - Alfred North Whitehead


"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country."
-Thomas Jefferson


"I went to a restaurant that serves 'breakfast at any time'. So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance." - Steven Wright

Aloha mai! Welcome-
First, a give away. I love the splash of moonlight that shines on water, lake, pond, or puddle. That is called a "Moon Glade." One of my favourite words. My gift to you.


Every day the small fry in the harbor are bigger. They swim and sport with growing skill & beauty. Sort of restores your faith in regenerative nature. Even saw a first-time seahorse the other day! Oh, and a shooting star last evening. Just standing outside, drinking it all in, reflecting on worries and glories of the day. There it was like a sudden love note from eternity: "It's all gonna be OK."
Seems to me that lots of things are being re-evaluated, and re-valued today; like mortgages and your retirement account. It's a good time for a fresh look at what we value; not with our words, but in our day to day actions. We post-moderns have gained much materially, but we have surrendered lots of the real texture, flavor and meaning of life. Now the spell of "more & more" seems to be melting away. The things left standing: a warm bed, a healthy body, the wealth of fond family & friends, a quiet moment to contemplate the night sky, while riding the earth as it ticks off time in seconds and in ages. There will always be details, but we've taken our eyes off of treasure to specialize in details and have become dull. As I go about renegotiating the values in my life a passage comes to mind: "They shall mount on eagles wings." This is a heroic cliche` of an image to someone who lives in a city as I did. But once I got to Hawaii and watched the IO, the red tailed Hawaiian Hawk, circling over the Big Island, what I saw was a bird going around in circles. They don't fly straight to the heights like a superman, or a rocket. No. As in a flying meditation they retrace the same circumscribed repetition in the sky. Over and over. But I noticed something else too: each circuit takes them imperceptibly higher and higher till they are friendly with the snow covered tropic mountain, Maunakea, and conversant with the clouds and early moon. Finally, their view is unrestricted. Stress and striving don't buy them that view. They attain it by following their true nature. Perhaps the groaning of the world economic system will lead us to lives of paradoxical richness? But just for right now: go outside into nature. (after you leave your comment ;-) Play with a child, pet, or childlike adult who you know well, or just this moment met. Stop and breathe and go to your heart. All the answers you need are there patiently waiting. I've found that stress defeats itself. The experiments were exhaustive and went on for years! So take it from me: Walk the gentle path . . . and you may just find yourself spiralling into control. . . effortlessly. Mounting on the wings of your grateful heart.
A L O H A! Cloudia

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

interesting today.
good quotes and pictures

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmmmmmm

Daryl said...

Excellent quotes and a lovely
visual/verbal picture of your world

Travis Erwin said...

I plan to spend lots of time out with nature in the next few days.

Akelamalu said...

You bring it all to life for me with your words. I watched a short programme about seahorses only yesterday. Aren't they just the most delicate beautiful creatures? Did you know that the male gives birth?

Anonymous said...

Seahorses in Ala Wai Harbor??? The only ones I saw were those at the Waikiki Aquarium. Beautiful creatures. So unique and unlike any other creature.

You made my day, Cloudia.

Roan said...

I grew up with nature, moved to the city, and found I missed the quiet, peaceful world where I grew up. I'm back. Lovely post. BJ

RiverPoet said...

Being that it's dark here now, I will satisfy myself with petting the dogs and loving on the cat who has just hopped up for some attention. Like you, I love nature. I like to have it both inside and out.

Peace - D

Cloudia said...

Daryl- Mahalo!
Travis- Good for you, pal!
Akelamalu & Gigi: Yes, the first seahorse anyone can rmember seeing in the harbor. Wonderful to see in the sea. Next: a leafy sea dragon! yeah!
B. Roan- Glad you're home.
Riverpoet- Pets are wonderful friends, yes indeed!
THANKS FOR VISITING today ;-)

Maria Verivaki said...

wonderful quotes: 'breakfast any time'

living on an island is sometimes pure magic, being so close to sea and mountains all at once

Brother Tobias said...

I like 'moon glade'. That was new to me, but it is in my old Websters. Can't find any reference to it being used, but googling brought me to the rather less poetic-sounding 'bottom glade', as used by Milton: "tending my flocks herd by i' th' hilly cofts that brow this bottom glade"!

Dave King said...

I really appreciate the variety of this post - and of you blog in general. The superb images, amusing quotes, and here, your lovely descriptions of the hawks on their comfort spirals. Could they be using rising air currents, do you think?
Whatever, it's a lovely post.

Bubblewench said...

"Stop and breathe and go to your heart. All the answers you need are there patiently waiting. I've found that stress defeats itself."

I am stealing your quote and putting it on my wall to remind me of these awesome words.

Love the pics too.

Charles Gramlich said...

Beautiful writing. Love the nature imagery and the connection to life. I too love the renewableness of nature. if we give it time.

Cloudia said...

M. Kiwi: Yes, we share the magic of island life, my friend!


Brother T. - You know, I've never seen the word used in literature, or used it myself either. but at night, gazing upon a moon gladem I enjoy repeating the word in my mind's ear, and I smile at my treasure. Yours too now. Thanks always for the poetry and for "classing up" the provinces with your baronial visits.

David: Thanks ever so for the well stated praise. I just eat it up!
See todays quotes. What YOU admire is already a part of you admiring itself!

Bubble Wench: You have touched my heart with your attitude and moxie. i'm beyond thrilled to think that words of mine might bring you pleasure or even some comfort. You inspire me!

Charles- You praise, then you add beauty to the image at hand. I'd love to ride my bike through LA with you-all someday. aloha to yer wife too.

Glennis said...

Lovely words,I like the eagle story, we all imagine we can go straight to the top in one easy jump, and sometimes we are lucky, but more often we have to work hard and keep on taking small steps toward our goal.
You have a real way with words! both here and in the newspaper.