Gathered with family yesterday evening to celebrate the Season; many hours of good conversation, cooking together, and eating. Spent the entire time counting blessings, and losing count over and over.
It was a culmination of sorts: a time to put aside the busy-ness of the last many weeks for all of us, to stop for a bit and share some laughter, catch up with one another, and leave the frenzied part of this Season on the other side of the door.
So very welcome, that.
And today, I was blessed with a truly quiet and peaceful day.
Took a walk with my best friend and partner late in the afternoon, and brought our cameras along to see what we found …
SO quiet. Almost no traffic, even on the busy streets; almost no one (save us) out walking.
Fingers wound up fighting with the cold and working our camera controls after a short time, so found a place for coffee – and found it surprisingly busy, but even so, people seemed still – reading, journalling, talking with friends.
As we walked home and the last of the day’s light faded, I was able to catch a few shots that seemed to sum it all up rather well:
It is my sincere hope for everyone that you might all find some time to
-stop-
today, or over the next little while, and have the opportunity to enjoy a little peace and silence in your day.
May all of us find the world we share a little bit kinder, a little bit gentler, a little more compassionate than it was this past year.
May we all be part of making it a better place to live (in however small a way) each day, and carry that spark with us, and let it infuse our actions with the best that humanity can offer to each other and to the planet.
All the very best to you all.
~sydney
I can almost feel the winter weather and the atmosphere of those trees. Lovely post, lovely sense of peace and stillness – thanks, Sydney! Like you, my New Year wish is for more kindness and compassion for all beings. Wishing you a very happy 2016.
Beautiful post, Sydney. We did the very same thing yesterday…a restorative walk in the woods. I’m always surprised how quiet it is, even just blocks from a busy tourist town. Wonderful photos you captured of the beauty of the trees. May you have a wonderful 2016!
It feels to me that this time of year has reached a fever-pitch … and I’m really actively seeking ways to disconnect from that special madness, and get back to the things that are positive about the season. Yes, getting out (even if it’s a walk in our neighbourhood, which is NOT the woods, but had lovely old trees) is a vital part of the process. All the very best to you and yours in 2016!
A great plan. I feel the same!!
Yes to that! Lovely pictures, arms reaching out to the New Year..hope it’s a great one for you!
Oh, thanks so much! All the very best to you as well!