So the basic question is how do you know you exist?
Is it the heartbeat in your chest that determines your existence? Is it because your brain is running all your organs and blood systems? Is it because your mind, which is different than your brain, is thinking?
What makes you human? What makes you more than exist? How, in fact, do you know you are thriving?
I would contend that it is a combination of your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves – what I like to call PEMS for short. I think that to be a whole being and exist in this plane, you need a balanced approach to all these component parts. Being weak in one area may not mean you stop existing, however, I think it makes sure you are not thriving.
Beyond the point that it is important to have balance in your life, I think you need to recognize who or what is realizing that your blood is pumping through your body, you are processing food into energy and assessing information about what your five senses of touching, smelling, hearing, tasting and smelling are all about.
Who exactly is doing that? Is it the observer or witness inside of you? When you put all distractions away and just breathe, what is being realized of who or what is going on inside of you?
Meditation Pose by 3333873 from Pixabay
I am not sure if you meditate but I do. I have done so for about 40 years of life thus far. Now, I have not always been very good at it especially at the beginning stages, but you soon develop a rhythmic breathing, a deep sense of knowing, a clarity and sense of peace that overcomes your body where you go inwards and become serene. That is when the clutter in my mind and world go away and I know for sure that I exist. It is precisely these special “down times” that I am able to escape the world and come into touch with my real self.
I am able to realize that I come from God and Source Energy. This is when I come to realize that we are all connected into a web of life just like quantum physics will tell us in experiments that they have performed such as the observer effect in the double slit experiment or the entanglement theory with two pairs of photons or electrons are still connected, reacting the same although at great distances apart.
It comes down to the realization that I am a spark of divinity and that I never die or was even born for that matter. I am eternal and ever-lasting. The world will continue on its path and I will continue on my own path and journey. Yes, I exist and I will forever more. The very same goes for you too.
Mary Mikawoz February 25, 2023
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Contrast Quadrants – Photography by Mary Mikawoz – Click on image or link to see the bigger picture.
I call this piece “Contrast Quadrants.” This imagery reminds me of life. There are many different ways of looking at things. One of the best ways is by using a quadrant or a matrix. I think life looks different depending upon what your current perspective or point of view is at.
In one case, you are in a positive area and other times, you are negative. One side is left and the other side is right. One is blue and white while the other side is golden and black. One is up and the other is down or one is top and the other is bottom. One is dark and one is light.
I have transitioned the pieces between the contrasting imagery. I hope you like it and provokes you into some thoughts about perspective about the meaning and use of contrasts in our lives..
As for me, I love beauty in all its forms. With my art, I am often in a zen-type of mood and feel as if I am “in the flow.” With my photography, I feel as if I am inspired by God or the Universe to capture these moments in time. I feel as if I am zinged when I capture that special shot and it is meant to be.
Thanks in advance for liking commenting, sharing and purchasing. Check out my other images and collections. Thanks for all positive feedback.
Feel free to follow me on my art page to see new photography or artwork as I release them. Thanks, Mary Mikawoz
Thanks for appreciating, liking, commenting, purchasing and sharing.
Polar Bear Splits – Photography by Mary Mikawoz – Click on image or link to see the bigger picture.
This is an incredibly gorgeous and huge white polar bear. He is relaxing or doing some yoga poses and stretches or gymnastics. He is definitely exercising of some sort or another. This is why I have called the photo “Polar Bear Splits.” He is stretching and relaxing until he is chillaxing. Onward and upwards for an incredible animal but also be very cautious because they can be very dangerous bears.
As for me, I love beauty in all its forms. With my art, I am often in a zen-type of mood and feel as if I am “in the flow.” With my photography, I feel as if I am inspired by God or the Universe to capture these moments in time. I feel as if I am zinged when I capture that special shot and it is meant to be.
Thanks in advance for liking commenting, sharing and purchasing. Check out my other images and collections. Thanks for all positive feedback.
Feel free to follow me on my art page to see new photography or artwork as I release them. Thanks, Mary Mikawoz
Thanks for appreciating, liking, commenting, purchasing and sharing.
Boating at Sunset – Photography by Mary Mikawoz – Click on image or link to see the bigger picture.
This beautiful sunset shot was taken from a second floor structure in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We were dining a ocean-side restaurant. The viewing of the sunset was gorgeous and very delightful. It has a brilliance of various colours that were orange, yellow and golden.
The boat is travelling north along the Bay of Banderas. They were enjoying the salty breeze and the incredible and wonderful sunset.
I feel this view is nicely framed by the straw coming down from the roof of the building.
As for me, I love beauty in all its forms. With my art, I am often in a zen-type of mood and feel as if I am “in the flow.” With my photography, I feel as if I am inspired by God or the Universe to capture these moments in time. I feel as if I am zinged when I capture that special shot and it is meant to be.
Thanks in advance for liking commenting, sharing and purchasing. Check out my other images and collections. Thanks for all positive feedback.
Feel free to follow me on my art page to see new photography or artwork as I release them. Thanks, Mary Mikawoz
Basic Shapes by Gustavo Ferreira Gustavo of Pixabay
What shape are you? Are you square and not with it all? Are you round and kind of cool, going with the flow like a rock down a hill? Are you triangular and if so are you an equilateral being who is balanced or an obtuse one? I suppose you could be so many variations of triangles. Wait until we get into so many other shapes like rectangles, pentagons, octagons or even diamonds.
I think it does not matter what shape you are like. We are all similar in that we are human beings but different and distinct in how we present ourselves to the world but does this really define us?
We can exist as individual sparks of divinity expressing ourselves in unique yet diverse ways. The question becomes then, how much are you defined by being different than others? Are you better for being the way that you are? Am I worse for me being me?
What does it really matter? Does the colour of my skin make me different and is this really an important distinction? What about my culture, my religion, my country, my sex, my gender, my orientation and so forth? After all, underneath it all, are we not the same?
I am not even talking about the blood and bones aspect of each us but on a soul level.
Don’t we all originate from the same source? Is there not an all encompassing “someone” or “something” that is greater than all of us here combined? Who or what makes us breathe? Is this simply a mechanical or biological feat of the body? Do we simply live and then die with no tomorrow or future?
Old Oak Tree by Mary Mikawoz
I contend that we are the observer or witness of our lives and that we are a higher spirit or soul. I contend that there is a force much greater than ourselves who manifests everything from the planets that are rotating around the sun to the seeds that grow in the Earth and then grow into a tomato plant, a beautiful flower or a solid oak tree.
I believe in a force greater than ourselves that is, perhaps, unnamable and far beyond our wildest comprehension but not of our appreciation and gratitude.
It does not matter what your shape is and how you present yourself to the world as long as you do so with a good heart and intention. It does not matter that we all follow the same religion to believe in a power greater than ourselves but that we recognize we did not get here all on our own accord. It was not our work but a higher force or divinity.
Snowflake by Gert Altmann of Pixabay
I challenge you today not to see the distinctions and differences in people as an oddity but a beautiful creation of God, the Universe or Source whereby we are each individually made just like there is no two snowflakes made exactly alike. Let us be appreciative of our connection to the all-divine and know we are perfectly made just as we are.
Mary Mikawoz February 24, 2023
If interested, you may subscribe to my “Musings” by inputting your email on the lower right-hand side of the blog below the Archive Date links at Mikawoz WordPress – https://mikawoz.wordpress.com/?s=musings
Memory Video Reel – Photography by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Love this word “Memory.” Actually, for most it can be a combination of good memories or bad ones.
I tend to have changed my orientation lately in life. I choose to remember only the good memories. It brings me much joy and happiness to know I have had a good life overall.
I have definitely had bad memories, for sure, but now I choose to forgive those people who have done me wrong. It does not make the event acceptable but quite the opposite. I am seeing them as fallible or imperfect people. Most times people are doing their best under their current circumstances, experiences and knowledge.
This is not to accept what is evil or bad. I am not condoning abuse or violence or hate of any kind. I feel those people who have been hurt go around hurting others. It is like they can’t accept what has happened to them so they need to share their misery with other people. I am sorry that some people feel this way and that they act in a negative pattern of continuing to hurt others.
I don’t see the need to carry the past into the present moment. If you can do something about it that is legal and will help your state of mind, then do so. There are rules, regulations and laws exactly to deal with perpetrators. People need to know there are repercussions for their actions
Maya Angelou – Photograph by Getty Images
It is like what Maya Angelou has so famously written: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” These are such wise words of insight into the human character and the development of our spirit.
It does harm to treat people with disrespect and often times, it will boomerang back at you in the same way or intensity. What you give out is what you receive.
As the Bible say in Galatians 6:7 in the King James Version -”Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Essentially speaking. “What you sow, you will reap.”
It makes sense that if you sow the seeds of goodness, that is what you will harvest then. It is your choice in every moment to decide how to think, feel and act. I wish you well in letting go of the past and remembering the good memories or moments of your life!
Mary Mikawoz February 22, 2023
If interested, you may subscribe to my “Musings” by inputting your email on the lower right-hand side of the blog below the Archive Date links at Mikawoz WordPress – https://mikawoz.wordpress.com/?s=musings
Thanks for appreciating, liking, commenting, purchasing and sharing.
My Apple – Photography by Mary Mikawoz – Click on image or link to see the bigger picture.
This image is kind of funny and cute. This little squirrel had been chomping down on an apple that had grown on the front tree of our house. I have to give credit to my father for he had a green thumb and planted all the apple trees in the front and back yards.
He definitely noticed me as evidenced by his upright ears and bulging eyes. I think he was thinking, “Is she going to steal my deliciously, fine apple?”
As for me, I love beauty in all its forms. With my art, I am often in a zen-type of mood and feel as if I am “in the flow.” With my photography, I feel as if I am inspired by God or the Universe to capture these moments in time. I feel as if I am zinged when I capture that special shot and it is meant to be.
Thanks in advance for liking commenting, sharing and purchasing. Check out my other images and collections. Thanks for all positive feedback.
Feel free to follow me on my art page to see new photography or artwork as I release them. Thanks, Mary Mikawoz
I think listen or listening is one of the most important words available in the language regarding conversations.
I find that some people are not really listening. They are kind of hearing but they are not listening. They are listening to the point where they can make their counter argument by saying inwardly, “I need to say this in opposition to that point” or “I can top that story. Wait until they hear my fish story about the one that got away.”
I think conversations are in jeopardy of losing their importance in society as we all turn towards interfacing with our devices be it a phone or tablet or computer. When we go into a coffee shop, what do we all do there? We have our faces stuck in some electronic gadgets and do not look up to interface with other humans. We rarely smile or even acknowledge someone’s presence or existence. We are involved with another world of reality.
Now, I am not saying it is all bad. I welcome the incredible developments in technology. I am of that age that you only received information via books, encyclopedias, the radio, the television and more learned people like teachers or other wisdom holders. I am of the age where you really had to search for meaning instead of just having it at your disposal in nanoseconds.
Kids these days do not know how good they have it but they really do. I suppose that is the point and that we are to improve, grow and develop with each coming generation of people. I think we have to take the best of everything and work within those parameters until there are no boundaries or limitations at all of what is possible in our realm.
I sometimes long for the art of listening where conversations over a cup of coffee or tea or even a glass of wine were meaningful in the most beautiful way of connectedness. I hope we connect even more especially since we are facing unprecedented change in our world. Smile to someone you do not know today and then enjoy that cup of coffee with your new found friend while you listen to their story.
As a very good friend of mine, Ron Owens, says, “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.”
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Box with Locks – Image by Dean Moriarty from Pixabay
When it comes to all ideas are you likely to stay within the confining lines or do you think outside the self-containing and limiting box?
Sometimes, we do indeed, have parameters that we have to work on so that there may be an issue or concern to start off with that have some causal boundaries. If we are ever going to improve, however, we need to stretch our imaginations and mind muscles.
I think, honestly, the issue started when we were told to be “correct” or “right” back when we were young people and we were instructed to only fill in pictures by colouring inside of the line-drawing. Who says that is the right approach?
Now, I absolutely love beautiful art but isn’t beauty found within the eye of the beholder? Aren’t some of the greatest artists in the world ones who come up with new forms and styles of artwork?
I remember loving art as a youngster from even before kindergarten. I loved to express myself with colour. I just enjoyed seeing something great come out of those little colourful crayons. I loved to create and did follow the rules and coloured inside those lines. I was not about to get into trouble.
En Formation – Artwork by Mary Mikawoz
I continued my fascination in art until junior and senior high school. In grade 10, I took an elective in Art class but not beyond then as I thought it was too frivolous of a pursuit and needed to focus my studies in serious subjects like Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
I remember my art teacher in grade 10 being such a fascinating person – a real avant-garde type of personality. She liked my art work a lot and my creations were often chosen to be featured in a number of art shows or displays in various malls around the city.
Morphology – Artwork by Mary Mikawoz
I remember her special love of the expression of abstract art. I could not fathom it. In my judgment, I saw it as artwork that was simplistic and was created by a person who could not draw. Somehow as the years went by and that initial influence of my art teacher, I realized that those artists often could draw really well but chose to express themselves in another fashion. I then came to be impressed by them and their work. I could see how the essential elements of the object could be represented in an abstract way or concept.
Bursting Through – Artwork by Mary Mikawoz
I started to experiment and I found that there was a special fluidity and flow to my drawings and paintings. It helped me not only on an artistic level but also on a mind level where I could use both my left and right-hand hemispheres of my brain.
When dealing with issues or problems at work, I was able to work outside the box. When coming up with new mission statements or major organizational work concepts, my mind soared as I learned to love to express new ideas. I loved to have brainstorming sessions where we fed off of one another’s ideas as nothing was left off the table and no one contradicted each other’s ideas to begin with. It was amazing how often we built on each other’s mindful expressions: building up the foundation of a new house of concepts.
Heart Roots – Artwork by Mary Mikawoz
So, when it comes to work or in life, are you still limited by the old paradigms or are you opening to the new, infinite world of potentiality? I hope you are open to stepping outside the box to create a new and novel approach!
Mary Mikawoz February 19, 2023
If interested, you may subscribe to my “Musings” by inputting your email on the lower right-hand side of the blog below the Archive Date links at Mikawoz WordPress – https://mikawoz.wordpress.com/?s=musings
Obstruct and obstruction are interesting words. I immediately go to the thought of “Where are you, personally, causing obstructions in your life?”
I think of me getting out of my own way. I think of my belief systems and associated thoughts that are limiting what I can do. I think about all the barriers that I have placed in front of me in my life. For example, I can simply think, “I can’t do this.” This can apply to me being able to write or to me going to work out or whatever task or goals I have at hand. For many, it can relate to work or even how we deal with conflicts or problems with people and our interactions with them on a day to day basis.
“I can’t” is in many respects saying, “I won’t.” It becomes a choice.
Photography of Roger Bannister. Photo Credit: Bettmann/Getty
People believed that the 4 minute mile could not be beat until Roger Bannister did so in 1954. As of April 2021, 1663 athletes have been able to break that unsurmountable goal, according to Wikipedia. That is quiet an accomplishment when the belief system in society was that it could simply not be done at all. They thought it was a physical impossibility.
Photography of Usain Bolt. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Likewise, there was a 10 second barrier for the 100 metre race. Since the 1990s, many athletes have broken that time. Usain Bolt is the current world record holder at 9.58 seconds which he accomplished in 2009.
Photography of Jim Hines at Olympic Games. Photo Credit: Getty
However, credit must be first given to Jim Hines for being most noted as the first male athlete to break the 10 second barrier for the 100 meters. That very same night two others accomplished the same feat. Ronnie Ray Smith and also Charles Greene also broke the 10 second barrier on an eventful night that is known as “The Night of Speed” on June 20, 1968. Jim Hines went onto win Gold at the Olympics in Mexico City when the first legally electronically recorded time was used.
You see, we are only limited first and foremost by what our minds can believe and then achieve. The physical action, if that is what it is your goal, is only the next step along in the process after the mind thinks it through.
We need to examine our obstructions in our belief systems and thoughts because we are creating neural pathways over and over again like a groove in a record. Similarly, a common held belief that was commonly held was that, “You can’t teach an old dog a new trick” but you can.
Neuroplasticity says that we can positively affect the brain and create new neural pathways. This has been proven in all mammalian species. Human cognition can improve both structurally and functionally. How great is that knowledge?
So, the question, I ask is, “What and where are you obstructing your thoughts and belief systems which are preventing you from achieving your best?”
Mary Mikawoz February 18, 2023
If interested, you may subscribe to my “Musings” by inputting your email on the lower right-hand side of the blog below the Archives by Date links at Mikawoz WordPress – https://mikawoz.wordpress.com/?s=musings
Mary Mikawoz Creative Pursuits Blog 