The best path

“…… you must always keep in mind that a path is only a path; if you feel you should not follow it, you must not stay with it under any conditions.

To have such clarity you must lead a disciplined life. Only then will you know that any path is only a path and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you to do.

But your decision to keep on the path or to leave it must be free of fear or ambition. I warn you.

Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary.

This question is one that only a very old man asks. Does this path have a heart?

All paths are the same: they lead nowhere. They are paths going through the bush, or into the bush.

In my own life I could say I have traversed long long paths, but I am not anywhere.

Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn’t, it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn’t. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong; the other weakens you.

Before you embark on any path ask the question: Does this path have a heart? If the answer is no, you will know it, and then you must choose another path.

The trouble is nobody asks the question; and when a man finally realizes that he has taken a path without a heart, the path is ready to kill him. At that point very few men can stop to deliberate, and leave the path.

A path without a heart is never enjoyable. You have to work hard even to take it. On the other hand, a path with heart is easy; it does not make you work at liking it.

From The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda

Mixed Media
by
Small Circle Big Circle

God says yes to me by Kaylin Haught

I asked God if it was okay to be melodramatic
and she said yes
I asked her if it was okay to be short
and she said it sure is
I asked her if I could wear nail polish
or not wear nail polish
and she said honey
she calls me that sometimes
she said you can do just exactly
what you want to
Thanks God I said
And is it even okay if I don’t paragraph
my letters
Sweetcakes God said
who knows where she picked that up
what I’m telling you is
Yes Yes Yes

Lipstick and eye shadow on linen by Small Circle Big Circle

If we never meet again – Tony Bennett and k.d. lang

If we never meet again
I’ll have a rose to remember
The snows of December
Will bring you back to me

If we never meet again
I’ll fall asleep in the flowers
Dream of the hours
We spent in ecstasy

The leaves in the fall
Will wreak of the beauty
I found in your eyes

The birds in the spring
When they sing
Will tell me that love never dies

If we never meet again
As sure as heaven above you
Forever I’ll love you
If we never meet again

The leaves in the fall
Will wreak of the beauty
I found in your eyes

The birds in the spring
When they sing
Will tell me that love never dies

If we never meet again
As sure as heaven above you
Forever I’ll love you
If we never meet again

If we never meet again by Tony Bennett and k.d. lang

https://youtu.be/AWRmX-OqDqo

Tacere – keeping quiet

Il dono più grande del maestro non è il dono del sapere ma quello di saper “tacere l’amore.” Questo dono è il più prezioso perché non vincola l’allievo ad alcuna obbedienza, ma lo lascia sempre libero di andarsene, di separarsi dal maestro.

Da L’ora di Lezione di Massimo Recalcati

Translation:

The greatest gift of the teacher is not the gift of knowledge but rather that of knowing how to keep their love quiet. This is the most precious gift because it doesn’t not bind the student to any form of obedience but rather it lets them free to leave, to separate themselves from the teacher.”

Watercolor by small circle big circle

A palpable soul

Collage by Small Circle Big Circle

“A house may have a palpable soul if it is beautiful in some ways, has a personality and presence, has a visible history, shows interest beyond functionality, and has a degree of complexity. You can love such a house and miss it when you’re away or if it’s torn. This kind of love is a sign that soul is present.”

By Thomas Moore Care of the Soul

Should I be gone forever

by Small Circle Big Circle

Photo by Small Circle Big Circle

Should I be gone forever,

yes, do weep for me.

But also, 

look in the mud

your little feet 

will want to step in.

Look in the grass,

in the trunks of the trees;

look in the raindrops,

in the drops of dew on the leaves.

Look in the snowflakes

that caress gently your face;

look in the sand at the beach,

in the stars up in space.

I know I’ll be there,

Please come and look for me.

Hear me in the song of the crows,

in the call of the owl;

Hear me in the sound of the waves,

in the wind, in the brook, 

in the rain, in the fire.

I know I’ll be there;

Please come and look for me.

Feel me in your heart

laughing hard, singing loud;

holding your hand,

brushing your hair,

hugging you tight;

can you see 

I am really there?

I’ll tuck you in at night.

I’ll whisper a prayer;

I’ll bake you a cake in the morning,

I will be there.

I will always be there. 

My heart in your heart 

Will forever be.

For ever and ever

You three and me.

Habits of mind

Word collage by small circle big circle

Living here

You are probably wondering

What makes habits of the mind

Last a lifetime:

LOVE,

Support all creatures great and small,

collaboration and community,

history,

culture,

local music.

You get one mind.

Feed it well.

Use it for good.

Spring comes.