Koi in Space

the galaxy is a reflection of the wonder we find all around,
inside and out, outside and in,
may we know and grow a little more each day
as we make our way on,
to be what we will become,
and become what we will be..

Sun and Cloud: The Creative Struggle

Like Sun and cloud, our creative struggles, challenges, and success, are all the better for the combination.



I live in a rainforest. Unlike many of my fellow temperate coastal forest people I readily acknowledge the fact that the weather patterns will continue to bring rain here off of the ocean as they have for millenia, and that I have a choice of living locations. I could live in a desert arid climate, or the prairies where the fields run off into the distance. I've spent a bit of time in both those climates and, while I can appreciate the differences and beauty to them, I love the giant green forest, plethora of plants and mosses, and deep goodness in the woods along the sea.

So we have sun, and we have rain, and we have many many clouds, often.

I can tell you from personal experience that the sun and blue sky look absolutely brilliant when they peek through the clouds after a few days of being overcast. And the colours!! At sunset and sunrise, or other random moments through the day, you can find all sorts of weird and wonderful light making it's way through those clouds.

As for creative struggles? Well.. they're very similar. The passion and inspiration to germinate an idea, like a flash of brilliant sunlight. The striding forth in that light to start creating, to take pictures, lay words on paper, or pluck strings to make tunes. And then the struggle of choosing how to display that, how to share it, how to arrange it, how to quantify it, how to risk making it real, and tangible, and putting it out there.

There is a challenge and a struggle in that darkness.



And then there is the sun. Rising once more over the waters, over the hills, through the fog. A new day dawns and we stand there with our completed work for all to see. We have succeeded. We celebrate, and then strike out to see what this new day will bring, how it will inspire, how it will make us muse.

So know that you're not alone in that struggle, in that journey, in that quest. Though it is uniquely unique to you, it is also a generally shared experience to many, and we're cheering you on even though you must walk the steps yourself, we're hooting and hollering and waving banners, though you must ache and strive to continue.

Please do, for in watching you struggle and succeed you also cheer me on. So thank you.
Thank you and go well :)

Jordan Oram
The Maplemusketeer

ps You never know how sharing your muse and action will inspire others. To you something may seem small, but the ripples it casts will go on into until at least lunch time, possibly eternity ;)

Thanks to Paulissa Kipp who's comments to me this morning on Google Plus inspired this post, and to Jake Easley for his sharing of awesome and timeliness. ;)

Potpourri of Pictures

From 2011-07-29

Yes.. the G+ Beast has engaged me in a dance and caused me to grapple with the ramifications. So my apologies for the break in posting. Here are a potpourri of photos that I've posted there, as I head back again into the breach to wrestle and adapt to expression and life, feelings of intimidation and fear, growth and wonder. :D

Thank you my friends for your support and encouragement through it all :)
The Maplemusketeer


Flight/Drift, Aloft/Afloat

From 2011-07-29

When I saw (the photo above) I was just overwhelmed with how many stories and paths joined... there in the water a feather lodged in an oak leaf to create this new entity that existed in this new environment for them both. And while each item may have been unnoticed as a part of their greater origin here they were together, the stars of their own moment.

Perspective of a LandDweller

From 2011-07-28

If any other person were to take a moment to slip into our brain (ala Being John Malkovich) and see our blessings and wonders, our struggles and trials, what would they think? Would they see the great things, the gifts, the opportunities and positive relationships that empower? Can we bring that awareness into our own lives? I think it's worth trying ;)

Have you seen through a seagull's nostril?

From 2011-07-26

You have now ;)
New opportunities and never seen sights surround us all the time. But sometimes we have a hard time remembering they're there. At least I do.

All Washed Up?

From 2011-07-26

Bull kelp and other seaweed clumped and washed ashore at Long Beach, BC, Canada.
Some could interpret this as the end of the road for the seaweed. As if it were garbage, detritus, castoff, waste. I would suggest that if they looked deeper they would see an invaluable source of nutrients to the intertidal zone. A source of potential and growth for all that lines the seashore.. beauty.

Every new day starts in the dark

From 2011-07-28

and the sun rises on another opportunity; a new adventure begins...