Don’t be a second-hand, hodgepodge mix of what others (in your life) programmed you to be; perceive directly, without mere conditioning/reaction.
Quixotic, extremely idealistic behavior is often based on dead, old patterns; look at life afresh, without dead blueprints.
Don’t merely pigeonhole others with an old, categorizing-oriented brain; perceive with fresh and lucid eyes.
Many of us take immaculate care of our overly fancy cars while we guzzle sugar, starch, alcohol, and processed foods like there’s no tomorrow.
To habitually take refuge in old-fashioned beliefs may be like finding protection in a rainstorm by depending on an old, torn, metal umbrella.Â
Roses are red and violets are blue… wake up and realize that what you perceive is you.
Female Monarch Butterfly … Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2018
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Roses are red and violets are blue… wake up and realize that what you perceive is you.
This is such a lovely way to end this piece..bravo!!!
Thank you, MN! I liked it too. 🙂
Beautiful capture and magic moment! Hermosa Monarca! 🙂
Much appreciated, Marcela! Thank you! 🙂
Your photographs are so beautiful, Tom – how do you do it?
Lots and lots of practice, Harini! I’ve been chasing bugs since i was 5 years old. 🙂
Nicely put, wonderful photo too!
Thank you much, Belinda! 🙂
Cold and overly windy (with rain) here today.
Gorgeous photo of the Monarch…I love your writing and this line in this post is particularly insightful: “To habitually take refuge in old-fashioned beliefs may be like finding protection in a rainstorm by depending on an old, torn, metal umbrella. ” Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Carol! 🙂 Yes, so many of us cling to what we were given without thinking about letting go to something else.
You are absolutely right, but I find the older I get the more I want to get rid of stuff – it’s all about living simply these days.
Well penned, Tom…and the monarch is stunning.
So glad that you were appreciative of both, Sandy! 🙂 Cold, very windy, and rainy here today.
Warm and sunny here today….hope it reaches you tomorrow!
It did! 🙂
Gorgeous photograph and wise words! 😊
Thank you much, Sabine! Illinois got enough requests for Monarch license plates to be made (including from me) that it will soon come into fruition! A portion of the money will be used by the state to enhance Monarch habitats. 🙂
That’s heartening! We pay a little extra on our license plates and support Crater Lake that way. A friend of mine in California found Monarch caterpillars on her milkweed and has chrysalises now! 🙂
Reblogged this on Becoming is Superior to Being and commented:
Tom’s Sunday message. — kenne
Very appreciative of that, Ken! Thank you much! 🙂 Like i mentioned to Sabine above, Illinois got enough requests for Monarch license plates to be made (including from me) that it will soon come into fruition! A portion of the money will be used by the state to enhance Monarch habitats. 🙂
Beautiful shot
Thanks much, Leyla! 🙂
The butterfly is beautiful and I think those warm days have finally gone away, so no chance of seeing another butterfly this year sadly. Your warning is valid – we are often “too soon old, too late smart” as that expression goes.
Yes, butterfly season is over (in the Midwest anyway). I’ve seen spiders out and about; they are tough and can take the cold a lot better than many insects do. None have evolved wings like butterflies have (yet). 🙂
When is it cold enough for the centipedes to go away (but not in the house)? I have one in my basement that is big enough to go to work. I saw it on the wall in the laundry room – OMG.
The monarch migration is in full swing here now. I started noticing them at work on Thursday and started counting. About thirty an hour was average, even with my divided attention. It’s such a beautiful experience to see them — so fragile,and yet so perfectly suited for their journey, especially if they get a little help from their friends.
Wow… that must be something to see, Linda! Sure hope that they do well over time! 🙂
A great post Tom.
Thank you, Rupali! Much appreciated! 🙂
We’re seeing a few monarchs … the rain and cooler temps may have delayed arrival (have definitely delayed blooming of the blue mist that coincided with last year’s swarm of monarchs) … got my fingers crossed, camera handy. Your shot is gorgeous. (Or perhaps my perception of your shot is gorgeous?) Either way, thanks for this post – words & image.
They truly are beautiful and so very agile in the air! Hoping you continue to see plenty! Thanks very much, Jazz! 🙂
She’s beautifully captured, Tom!
Thank you much, Donna! 🙂 I collect fossils and saw that there is an Osprey fossil claw on eBay… but it is going for a ridiculously high amount.
Really?!! You can get just about anything on ebay! So neat to collect fossils. When I was 6-8 years old, I used to go fossil hunting with my Dad in the Badlands, Dad was in the Air Force, we were stationed in South Dakota. My Dad used to have a nice collection, I would take them to Show & Tell in elementary school. The dinosaur tooth was always a hit! The collection was lost in the shuffle of his & mom’s divorce I am sorry to say….. 😦
Love the photo Tom, also like the reflection – so apt given that so many are not thinking for themselves.