A SHORT BREAK

For the next month, I will be taking a short break from my normal schedule of posting a new article or photo essay every four or five days.  Having just completed my fiftieth posting since beginning "Transit Notes" in April, I find that I need a little time to rest, reflect, and address a few personal matters that require my attention. As time and opportunity permit, however, I will continue to follow and comment upon the inspirational postings of my friends in the blogging community.

During my absence, I will leave this space with a small gallery of photos, some of which have appeared before.  I will also leave some of my favorite passages from the Tao Te Ching.  These words give me peace and comfort daily, and I hope that you will find solace in them as well. 

There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.

In dwelling, live close to the ground.

In thinking, keep to the simple.

In conflict, be fair and generous.

In governing, don't try to control.

In work, do what you enjoy.

In family life, be completely present.

 Can you step back from your mind

and thus understand all things?

. . .  just stay at the center of the circle

and let all things take there course.

If you want to become whole,

let yourself be partial.

If you want to become straight,

let yourself be crooked.

If you want to become full,

let yourself be empty.

If you want to be reborn,
 let yourself die.

If you want to be given everything, 

give everything up.

He who stands on tiptoe

doesn't stand firm.

He who rushes ahead

doesn't go far.

He who tries to shine

dims his own light.

He who defines himself

can't know who he really is.

He who has power over others

can't conquer himself.

He who clings to his work

will create nothing that endures.

Knowing others is intelligence;

knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength;

mastering yourself is true power.

Leaving Lisbon, Acrylic

When there is no desire,

all things are at peace.

. . . the Master concerns himself

with the depths and not the surface,

with the fruit and not the flower. 

He has no will of his own.

He dwells in reality,

and lets all illusions go.

Ordinary men hate solitude.

But the Master makes use of it, 

embracing his aloneness, realizing

he is one with the whole universe.

If you look to others for fulfillment,

you will never truly be fulfilled.

If your happiness depends on money,

you will never be happy with yourself.

Be content with what you have;

rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize here is nothing lacking,

the whole world belongs to you.

True mastery can be gained

by letting things go their own way.

It can't be gained by interfering.

Autumn Tree Life, Acrylic

Seeing into darkness is clarity.

Knowing how to yield is strength.

The Master's power is like this.

He lets all things come and go

effortlessly, without desire.

He never expects results;

thus he is never disappointed.

He is never disappointed;

thus his spirit never grows old.

The mark of a moderate man

is freedom from his own ideas.

When two great forces oppose one another,

the victory will go

to the one that knows how to yield.

If you realize that all things change,

there is nothing you will try and hold on to.

. . . whoever is stiff and inflexible

is a disciple of death.

Whoever is soft and yielding

is a disciple of life.

I have just three things to teach:

simplicity, patience, and compassion.

Peace and joy to everyone!