Paths

Gautama Buddha says: No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. 

My word for this year is Adventure/Path. I find it fascinating to notice how many paths there are in life. Sometimes we get distracted and wander off the path in front of us, getting lost for awhile. Sometimes our paths are a bit rocky as we try to please others and lose focus on our own path. And then there are the paths that are smooth sailing and we forget to notice the beauty of the path.

 Hawaii

Camassia Nature Preserve

Elk Rock

Tiny Poetry’s “Twisting Paths”:

Along the twisting paths we tread,

Adventures wait around each bend,

With every step, a tale is spread,

New horizons beckon us to send.

Whispers of stories in the air,

With every heartbeat, we declare.

Along the twisting paths we tread,

New horizons beckon us to send tinypoetry.com.

Kellogg Park, not far from my apartment.

What's around the bend?

Iris in the Peony Gardens at Adelman's, a cloudy day

And even David Hockney included a path into the woods in one of his paintings. Sadly he passed away this past week. He has taken a path only he can take alone. Oh, the joy he has left along the way with his whimsical art.

Do you notice the path you travel? Does it sing a song of JOY to your soul?

No matter the path along the way, "Notice what you notice".

Sending love,

Marilyn

Next Year's Posts, My Word!!!

Welcome to 2026.

Since I am posting mostly once a week, I decided not to have a Monday theme, but just to share "a day in the life" or pictures from an ordinary life. 

As I shared in my last post, I do have a new word for 2026. The pictures remind us of a path with twists and turns, deep waters and roadblocks; but still a path most often forward. An adventure of life goes something like that. Though my word will be adventure, I will be also focusing on the paths it takes. Sometimes the adventure is simple and straight, while other times there will be unexpected turns, detours, roadblocks.

"Adventure isn’t just about reaching a destination — it’s about the stories you collect along the way, the people you meet, and the ways you discover yourself. Whether you’re scaling mountains, getting lost in city streets, chasing sunsets, or stepping outside your comfort zone, adventure calls to the wild heart in all of us." Road Rider

 

I have always had a bit of a "wild heart". I think that is why I love photographing paths and nature. It's time for me to embrace it, travel with it this year.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”

― Eleanor Roosevelt

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." – Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

This photo was in my last post, but even a stream with roadblocks can be a path. It might rush by or be quite deep and treacherous. If we persevere, hang in there, we will make it to the other side.

I can't wait to see what the path/adventure will teach me this year. Join me on the journey!

Happy New Year!

Sending love,

Marilyn