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
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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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Book: “Walking Through This: Harness the Healing Power of Nature and Travel the Road to Forgiveness” Sara Shulting Kranz, Harper Horizon, 2020.
Book Review by Mary Mikawoz
I found this book by Sara Shulting Kranz to be interesting. I found that her in-depth knowledge of trauma and PTSD is based on the fact that she has had to deal with it and go through it herself.
She understands more than just an empathetic listener. I won’t repeat her life story other than to say that she has gone through a lot. We all do but that is what is so wonderful about this book is that she gives you steps to deal with the trauma.
Sara gives you written meditations that you can read and then practice. After you are done the guided meditation, she gives you some questions to consider as you take your information gleaned from this process and reflect upon any and all insights. She asks that you write about it.
I find it interesting she mentions a little fact that since 2012, the number of people meditating in this world has tripled. That is significant and shows that there is value in following through with inner work including listening to your intuition.
After learning the six steps, she asks you to forgive yourself, the perpetrator and also the world.
In the meantime, Sara has also implemented a number of practical techniques of walking in nature including retreats through the Grand Canyon or standup paddle boarding on water. From Sara doing her work, she is able to give practical advice and not that just of a psychologist or counsellor who doesn’t have any personal terms of reference and can only reflect back to you what they have heard without any concrete suggestions or relevant life event experiences or tasks to pursue.
I give this book a 4.25 out of 5 for being a useful book that was interesting to read. She is on social media like Instagram and Facebook. She has her own website as well.
There is something to be said about seeing the potential in something or someone. There are the ingredients of greatness in everyone but we need to tease it out bit by bit.
Most people give up too easily and look the other way without seeing what can actually come to be if only effort is applied. Keep going, it is a just a matter of time before greatness and ease come into your life. There is always a glimmer of hope even if you think it is not worth it.
With my Art, I am often in a zen-type of mood and with my Photography, I feel as if I am inspired by God or the Universe to capture these moments in time.
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The breeze was blowing across the waters near Grand Beach, Manitoba. It is part of the Lake Winnipeg system. I took this photo midway between West Beach and East Beach in the Lagoon.
I can still hear the wind whipping by and remember the plants swaying to the moving air flow. You can see the ripples of the water behind.
With my art, I am often in a zen-type of mood and with my photography, I feel as if I am inspired by God or the Universe to capture these moments in time.
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I took this photograph this afternoon near Gimli, Manitoba over the substation. The sun is fairly low in the sky as it is winter time. The Sundogs on either side of the sun indicate that it is cold outside or that it will be. Both are true in this case. With temperatures in the minus 20 degrees Celsius range, or minus 4 Fahrenheit, you know it is cold.
Here is the current forecast from Environment Canada, “A bitterly cold north wind will bring extreme wind chills of minus 40 to much of southern Manitoba overnight and into Thursday morning.”
I like the brilliant star effect around the sun and the way the Sundogs are like little rainbow arcs around at the sun’s sides.
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I am intrigued by old and decaying buildings. I think that they represent, once upon a time, a function and a story. This structure served its purpose once upon a time. It is part of a farm and may have been used in a number of different ways.
The sad part is that the basic outline is there but essentially there is no roof. All the elements of rain, snow, wind and even sun can get in. The bad and the good. It is not protected from the weather having to give in to the harsh climate of the prairies.
Is its function gone? Is it no longer needed or necessary? Yet, it stands and it is resolute just like people are despite aging and being elderly. If only you were a fly on the wall and could hear the stories it would tell – the fun, the laughter and the sadness.
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I went for a walk in the fall time and came across a garden with beautiful sunflowers. This one was wilting from having been cold during the night. I like the fact that it has character despite having faced difficulties.
It is dealing with the negative elements but doing incredibly well. It is like people who deal with problems and issues but continue to be positive and come out up on top.
Good luck to any and all people facing difficulties. Face the challenges and come up over the barricade or hurdle with achievement and accomplishments.
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While travelling in France, we stayed with friends in the French countryside just outside of Paris. It was a beautiful cottage home. I enjoyed wandering the grounds exploring the gardens and photographing this water pomp or Pompe à Eau.
I have put a sepia colour to indicate that it is from an older time and generation.
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If you are interested in prints, contact Mary directly at mikawoz@gmail.com.
Sometimes such as now, I feel as if we are watching grass grow. It is small and miniscule. You do not see progress everyday but it is there growing. Such is the time with the Corona Virus, progress is being made to defeat, eliminate or decrease its effects. Time will be the answer as we watch the “grass grow.”
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Mary Mikawoz Creative Pursuits Blog 