Bringing the sun's rays to focus...

"Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand.

The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus." 

- Alexander Graham Bell

On the Salish Sea...

Pics like this bring back great memories. Having said that, when focusing on taking home a good "action shot", one can become oblivious to the possibility of losing your camera, or worse, finding yourself in the water beside your kayak - wishing you had paid a little more attention to the oncoming swell! No problem this time, however - got a cool shot of Joan and kept the camera! :-)

For whatever reason, achieving focus can be challenging for some of us. I'm certainly one who knows what it is, all too often, to have a "scattered mind". There's been lots written about "attention deficit" in recent years and what is coming out is really quite exciting. There is compelling evidence, for example, that children (and adults) with attention deficit disorder (ADD) find that their symptoms are much relieved if they are given the opportunity to play outside. That's true for me and that's why tomorrow, we will take some time to be and play...outside.

...and amongst the "waist-high ferns".

It's the week before Easter, Holy Week, and that means some necessary focus for folks in my vocation. It's going to be a busy time with extra services and the need to try to interpret the ancient stories in a way that is (hopefully) fresh, meaningful and helpful to a contemporary and progressive faith community. For me, the very best preparation is "trail time". There is nothing like the feel of the soft, damp earth under the feet, the brush of waist-high ferns, and the smell of the nearby ocean air to renew the spirit and refresh the mind. It is this activity that will best concentrate all thoughts upon the important work at hand in the days ahead.

Need focus? Try a "nature treatment" - pretty much guaranteed to bring some wholeness and health to body, mind, and spirit.

And, of course...breathe deeply.

D.