The dichotomy between the “perceiver” and “that which is perceived,” is essentially (psychologically) illusory and nonexistent.
To overlook and ignore others is to be partially dead psychologically — as so many are — while one merely concentrates on a small point, called “me.”
Forget what everyone taught you about life and death; go out, sit with nature, and look at everything as if for the first time.
Peace will never come as long as each of us belongs to some separative group.
If to be typically human is to abide by commercialism and to pollute the planet… then we need to become superhuman (and green).
To function all of one’s life in predictable, knee-jerk reactions of self-projected selfishness is safe, easy, comfortable… but also, unfortunately, dead.
Aphids up close … Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2018
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Amazing shot! They are so colorful!
Yes, Carol, and so tiny! 🙂
Which makes them more of a challenge to photograph! Kudos to you!!!
Here’s to Superhuman
Not enough of them these smoggy days, Francis, not enough of them.
Better to read what you have to say than the morning news.
Thanks much, Ken! We get the paper one day per week; i don’t even read it; Marla does. We get used newspapers from relatives, which i use in the parrots’ cages and our little dog Lola’s potty tray… politician-face-side-up. 🙂
I can only agree with you, Tom. We need to live every day with and in the nature, like it was the last. Then we will have no regrets later.
Yes, Irene, nature! 🙂 We must not stop and only remain there, however, as nature too is limited, full of conflict and violence, and such. We must grow beyond all limitation. 🙂
You are right Tom. What I thought about was, when I walk out and visit even well known areas, still I find new things, as I didn’t notice before. It can be new plants, new branches from a long gone tree etc. If we are open to see, we will see 🙂
Absolutely! 🙂
More time with nature, and more photos like these!
And more going beyond the norm, we hope! 🙂
Amazing photo of those little critters! And yes, we need to stop insisting we belong to some group or other in order to achieve peace.
Yes, peace is freedom… not mere following. 🙂
They are actually quite beautiful! Incredible detail and colors in your photograph! 😊
I too feel that they are beautiful! Those contrasting colors and the red eyes! 🙂
I know! Thanks for sharing this capture!
Communing with nature makes our lives bearable … amazingly long legs on that aphid. And black legs to boot, so I’m going to study one the next time I see it land somewhere. My eyes will barely see an aphid, let alone those long black legs.
There are a number of different species. Some are way more yellow. I have some pictures of a scarlet red species of aphid that i will post sometime in the future. With the weather being much colder, there are small spiders and squash bugs about, but not much else.
I just thought there were the plain-Jane lime-green aphids. That’s all I have ever seen, but maybe the others are not visible to the naked eye?
Yes to that.
Thanks, Paul! 🙂
I look to nature for my guidance and edification.
Most animals in the wild keep to themselves, generally.
Some band in groups.
It seems the generally accepted rule of nature is “mind your own business” and “live and let live”.
Of course this doesn’t apply to the acute predator versus prey moments.
Watch animals cohabitate. You’ll see some unexpected behaviors. Animals with symbiotic relationships to other animals that might be potentially lethal to them.
Pilot fish are a good example. They could be eaten by their host, but they’ve drawn something of a truce.
When multiple species gather in the same space, it’s pretty much “to each their own”. The fox trots past the turkeys and the deer. The coyote feeds not far from the crow. Birds ride around on the backs of cows.
So a bird is no threat to a cow, you say?
Jump back to the non-real world of human society.
Of the things humans are taught to shun or even hate (color, religion, nationality, infermity) how many are likewise no threat whatsoever?
Seek peace,
Paz
Nature contains tremendous harmony and balance, though oftentimes there is conflict and friction within (but it has its place). Learning from nature is beneficial but we must go even beyond that.
Yes, the world of human society has a lot of real problems, like you suggest, involving hatred of color, nationality, infirmity, etc., and it is largely due to ignorance and miseducation. Humans are not fitting in the balance… and the terrible hurricanes, uncontrollable fires, and extinction of species will continue (exponentially fast, unfortunately).
Hi Tom, I don’t know whether you’ve mentioned it before, but which lens are you using? Aphids are so small and I know my macro 1:1 lens would not be enough to get this close!