For years I've been a fan of Heron Dance, a little journal of art, poetry and reflection, and I've pointed readers here to it as a resource for reflection and beauty.
In Issue 52, Roderick MacIver, artist and founder of the journal, publishes a number of quotes and selections from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
Interlacing the quotes with beautiful water color drawings, MacIver has discovered the art of inspiration and reflection that employs the printed page. I really enjoy every issue.
Having read Thoreau for years, MacIver offers the following summation of his main themes and ideas:
Everything worthwhile in life requires love, faith and imagination. Friendship, love, imagination, a spiritual life, a close connection to the natural world--all are mysterious and difficult to put into words.
Art emerges out of our inner life.
The processes of life co-exist with the processes of death. Good health, and life itself, are temporary.
Society and its institutions are contrived realities. Expediency is valued; truth is not.
Elements of a quality life: live simply, do quality work that is not rushed, avoid waste, live below your means, and keep a reserve. Set aside a substantial portion of your time for leisure.
A close relationship with nature contributes joy and peace to human life.
Simple living enhances our awareness of, and openness to, the beauty of the natural world.
A spiritual life is a life of calmness, of openness to mystery, beauty, and infinity.
Long, frequent walks in the woods bring peace and serenity to a human life.
Wisdom and simplicity are closely related.
The path of joy is one of knowing who you are and living it. It requires befriending yourself.
Make time for silence. Adopt a thoughtful rhythm to your work and life.
As I reflect on these observations, my mind moves to concerns of the city and its people.
The longer I work and live here, the more convinced I am of the importance and power of beauty for everyone, including the poorest among us.
In Issue 52, Roderick MacIver, artist and founder of the journal, publishes a number of quotes and selections from Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
Interlacing the quotes with beautiful water color drawings, MacIver has discovered the art of inspiration and reflection that employs the printed page. I really enjoy every issue.
Having read Thoreau for years, MacIver offers the following summation of his main themes and ideas:
Everything worthwhile in life requires love, faith and imagination. Friendship, love, imagination, a spiritual life, a close connection to the natural world--all are mysterious and difficult to put into words.
Art emerges out of our inner life.
The processes of life co-exist with the processes of death. Good health, and life itself, are temporary.
Society and its institutions are contrived realities. Expediency is valued; truth is not.
Elements of a quality life: live simply, do quality work that is not rushed, avoid waste, live below your means, and keep a reserve. Set aside a substantial portion of your time for leisure.
A close relationship with nature contributes joy and peace to human life.
Simple living enhances our awareness of, and openness to, the beauty of the natural world.
A spiritual life is a life of calmness, of openness to mystery, beauty, and infinity.
Long, frequent walks in the woods bring peace and serenity to a human life.
Wisdom and simplicity are closely related.
The path of joy is one of knowing who you are and living it. It requires befriending yourself.
Make time for silence. Adopt a thoughtful rhythm to your work and life.
As I reflect on these observations, my mind moves to concerns of the city and its people.
The longer I work and live here, the more convinced I am of the importance and power of beauty for everyone, including the poorest among us.
3 comments:
My favorite Thoreau quotation:
"Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go canoeing."
No surprise there, is there?
Larry, I thought that this would interest you:
How you can help uninsured kids, in the Dallas Morning News
How you can help uninsured kids
10:29 AM CDT on Saturday, April 28, 2007
Every time you pick up the paper and read about how about so many Texas kids lack health insurance, you probably think something needs to be done. But you feel hopeless, like what can I do?
Well, here's your chance. Stop a moment, go to your computer and send an e-mail to the lieutenant governor and the senators listed here. Tell them you want the Senate to ease the rules that restrict eligible working families from enrolling their young ones in the state's Children's Health Insurance Program. Texas has the nation's highest percentage of uninsured children.
Senators can erase that ugly mark now that they have received the House's rewrite of CHIP rules. The House undid the restrictive guidelines the Legislature approved in 2003.
The House plan:
•Requires families to re-enlist in CHIP every 12 months, instead of every six months.
•Allows enrollees to receive coverage immediately, not after the current 90-day waiting period.
•Raises the asset level for eligible families by $5,000.
These reforms are a good approach. And Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's office tells us he's open to reviewing the 90-day requirement and the asset test. But he wants senators to rethink the six- or 12-month enrollment process. He favors a continuous eligibility system where the state would periodically check, perhaps electronically, a family's eligibility.
If that serves families better, we're open to it. But Mr. Dewhurst needs to present concrete proposals soon so our youngsters can get the health care they deserve.
Notably, the chambers of commerce in Texas' leading cities support more open enrollment rules, including allowing families to enlist every 12 months. We'd like to think those conservative voices will persuade the Senate to join the House in easing eligibility rules – or to make the rules even better for families.
Lawmakers listen to their constituents. When you put this newspaper down, open an e-mail and send your point of view. There is something you can do.CONTACT
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at www.ltgov.state.tx.us
Sen. Florence Shapiro at florence.shapiro@senate.state.tx.us
Sen. John Carona at john.carona@senate.state.tx.us
Sen. Royce West at royce.west@senate.state.tx.us
Sen. Jane Nelson at jane.nelson@senate.state.tx.us
Sen. Robert Deuell at robert.deuell@senate.state.tx.us
Anonymous, thanks for your post! You stole a post I planned to put up next week! I likely will do so to make sure everyone sees it.
In Texas it all comes down to funding what we all know works, is right and is much-needed. Voters should pay attention to what these leaders you have listed do about and for the children of Texas who are the most vulnerable.
Post a Comment