Pierre Auguste Renoir, an accomplished artist from the early 20th century, was famous for his impressionist paintings of Paris.  His work spanned over five decades and during his last few years of life, he developed severe arthritis but this did not stop him.  He continued to paint with a brush tied to his wrist and developed a more bold and fluid style.

Art critics condemn the bold style of his later works while budding art students admire it.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  The world of art is subjective and there really is no right or wrong, good or bad.  Art is art, an expression of the heart and soul.

So where do critics fit in all of this?  Perhaps they are like lemons, adding zing and a zesty tartness to life.  Their perspectives may make some people pucker and cringe while others taste nothing at all.  We always have a choice.  Renoir followed his heart and was true to himself.  He held nothing back when being authentic in his later works and courageously revealed his soul for the world to ‘see’.

Sometimes life literally takes our breath away.  A strong windstorm swept through a wild grove of trees nestled against a quiet suburban neighbourhood.  One large tree standing at the edge of the grove was unable to withstand the gusts and fell upon a home where a middle-aged woman slept.  Tragically, she never again rose to see another new day.

The news of this shocking tragedy rippled grief throughout the community.  She was a gentle, sweet woman, loving wife and mother, and community activist who devoted her life to helping those in need.  How does one make sense of such an enormous tragedy?  How does one come to terms with such a devastating loss?

Perhaps it is not so much about making sense as it is about accepting the chaos and unpredictability of life.  Perhaps it is about making peace with adversity and finding peace within oneself, so as not get swallowed up by overwhelming emotions.  At times like this, it is vital to find comfort and solace amidst the turmoil.  If we can turn inwards with gentle loving kindness for ourself, acknowledge our hurt and not push it away for a ‘more convenient time’, we may in turn provide comfort and support to others who suffer as well.  Our deepest healing occurs when we connect personally wiith others.

When tragedy strikes, create a soft place for overwhelming emotions and allow anger, sadness and deep hurt to flow through you.  Allow whatever arises to arise and find a healthy way to release it.  This may involve time alone or time with loved ones, professional support or any combination of these.  Grief is an individual journey with no set time line or process.  Honour your experiences, yourself and your loved ones.  And maybe one day in the future, that glint of bright light that catches your eye; that single wild flower or white feather you discover at your feet, will bring comfort and cherished memories of a loved one past.

Snow drops are perennial flowers that blossom annually.  They are usually the first to appear after the cold of winter and are always a welcomed sight, signalling a change of seasons.  Thin green leaves surrounding the delicate little flower herald it’s return.  A single white blossoms peers downward from the arched stem, as if to shield itself from the lingering cold and damp grey skies above.

The snow drop is aptly names since it literally looks like snow dropping to the ground but is magically suspended for the world to marvel.  The snow drop reveals strength and resilience beyond what the eye can see.  Each flower stares courageously to the dark ground and brings light to its surroundings.  Being the first to emerge, they epitomize the wisdom of Ghandi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world!”

There is nothing like an earthquake to shake things up in life.  Two days before the start of 2016, a quake measuring 4.8 rippled through the southwest coast of B.C.  It shook my bed and jolted me awake.  At first I thought it was the cat pulling something large down but then I realized it was much more.  The shaking continued for at least another 7 seconds.

At the time, I was on the 9th floor of a condo caring for my friends’ cat.  In the dark of the night, the building trembled, the walls heaved and the curtains jangled.  My heart quickened as my mind raced ahead and body trembled in unison with the building.  And then suddenly the shaking stopped.  A calm stillness settled in my surroundings.  I opened my eyes to see the tall evergreen trees still standing outside the window.  I listened for sirens.  There were none.  I listened for activity in the building.  There were no sounds.  Only silence.

When the world is silent, it seems to only amplify the noisy chatter within.  Whirling thoughts about the quake reverberated through my mind.  I wondered where the epicentre was, how far the quake reached and whether there was any damage.  I also wondered whether it was safe for me to leave the building, whether it was even necessary to run down 9 flights of stairs to plant my feet on seemingly solid ground.  And then I caught myself.  I realized the discord.

Everything around me was still except my mind.  My mind had been caught in the aftershocks of the quake, not from the physical shaking but from the chaos in my mind!  I decided then and there that I needed to ground myself mentally, to settle my racing thoughts and meet mother earth exactly where she was in that moment … in silence.

The Richmond Nature Park drew hundreds of people on a damp December afternoon.  Children and adults of all ages had come to see four live owls who had been rescued from dire circumstances and rehabilitated.  Each owl sat perched on the gloved hand of a member from the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.   Each owl was different in size, colouring and nature, as pictured below.

The Great Horned owl (upper left photo) is known for its aggressive nature and habit of eating other owls.  Not surprisingly, the Barred owl (upper middle photo) who sat six feet away from the Great Horned, was a little nervous.  She anxiously spun her head from side to side until her view of the Great Horned was blocked.   The smallest owl, known as a Saw Whet (upper right), sat at the other end of the room, a safe 20 feet away.  In between the Saw Whet and Barred owl, was a Barn owl with her peaceful heart-framed face (lower left).

On this very busy afternoon, the Great Horned owl became agitated by the overwhelming crowds of people.  As a result, she was removed from public viewing for a while.  When she returned (photo above right), she still bore the same angry look with her seemingly large furrowed brow and round glaring eyes.

Cameras big and small clicked all afternoon long.  Streams of people flowed through, many stopping for extended periods to marvel at each amazing bird.  One curious woman reached out her finger in an attempt to touch the Barred owl but was swiftly reminded by a member of the O.W.L Society: “These owls are wild.  They can hurt you.”

As a spectator and fan, it was easy to forget that the owls are wild since they were indoors, perched on a human finger with one leg tethered to a 6 foot long strap held by its host.  It was easy to forget because the owls sat so regally for long stretches of time, posing for photographs.

The big eyed owls stared at the humans while the humans stared big-eyed back at the owls.  “Wow!”  “They’re beautiful!”  “They’re amazing!” were frequent exclamations from the public.  On the other side of the table, the owls remained quiet, seeming to not ‘give a hoot’ about the admiration they were receiving.  They only batted their eyes demurely and twirled their heads nonchalantly as if it were another day in the park.  It was the members of the O.W.L. Society who spoke on their behalf, answering the myriad of questions thrown their way.  “They can hear your heartbeat.” was one response, which brought another chorus of wows and simultaneous jaw drops!

Nature has so many lessons for us.  I suspect if we stopped our continual activity  and sat still long enough to hear our own heartbeat, life might not be so harried or even taken for granted.  During this holiday season, take time from all the busy-ness to ‘listen’ to your heart, and then bring this intention into the new year!  Remember the wisdom of these wise birds.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, warm and joyful holiday season, plus all he best for the new year!