Posted in Alternative Lifestyle, child death, Colombia, Colombian life, minimalism, nature, Nature Symbolism, parents of deceased children, Perfection and Peace, photo challenge, Uncategorized

Passing Moments in Time, Evanescent

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/evanescent/

This is a hard photo challenge for me because I want to say how fleeting life is, which is so cliché. How desperately short life can be, which is also so cliché. I want to wallow in the grief of my daughter’s death. How I search for memories now that it has been 7 years since she was murdered. What I go through every single day, when I open my eyes in the morning. How angry I am that the man who killed my daughter walks free due to a corrupt judge. I want to share to others how hard it is to accept a death of a child that was so senseless it leaves me weak with sadness.  All the years that have disappeared like they never existed. I want others who have never had extreme grief to understand. It is difficult to let it go. I try, but I always have it there in my heart. So I just write my feelings down and I take photos of the this absolutely beautiful country that I live in now. Colombia. We have a lot in common. Death, senseless death, which is not something people can just let go of. We survive. We continue. But we remember. These photos are for my daughter, who fades ever so slowly from my memory. I still walk and meditate for her in all the beautiful areas right outside my door. It helps but it doesn’t keep me from missing the woman she could have become.

River photos 011
The rage of the river
River photos 020
Little leaves capture my eyes
River photos 021
The cascade drips with my tears
River photos 025
The stillness of the path
River photos 027
finding peace
River photos 029
walking the natural pool
River photos 030
letting go after meditation..my shoes in the water of life
Posted in Colombia, Colombian life, Uncategorized

Forest Bathing

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/descend/

I have found since moving to Colombia I have gotten better at embracing the present moment.  I don’t spend much time in my mind,  I spend it looking at what is in front of me each day. When I start my hikes I am always in the present time.  This is why I recommend for everyone to hike in the forest, or park, anywhere there are trees, birds and nature.

So as I descend I stop and enjoy every moment. It can be goats milk being sold. It could be just a view of the mountains as the fog descends for just a second. Maybe my path that I walk. It brings me peace. I descend slowly. I stop and I meditate at my favorite river. I sit for a while and think of things that are bothering me. We can all do this, whether you live in the forest like me, or in the city. JUST stop for a few minutes and reflect. Ask the Universe for what you need. Let go of the pain you feel. I feel pain every single day, I let it go on my hikes. It works. I know this as I live my life in the present moment.

Hike, birds, caracara, ani bird 028
Two birds fighting over a post
Hike, birds, caracara, ani bird 029
I won!
Nature photos 023
In a second the climate changes on my hikes
Nature photos 020
My path descending
Nature photos 032
The river I meditate at descending in one direction
Nature photos 040
A little bit of fungi at the river
Nature photos 052
My favorite neighbor

All I know is this: I feel better after I walk. Just do it. Don’t procrastinate and turn on the TV. I hardly ever watch television during the day. I do outdoor things, I write, I study Spanish, or I just read. Don’t let yourself descend into a path of depression. It is very easy to do. Even when I don’t sleep well, I make myself get out and look at what surrounds me in Colombia. I then come home and I feel better. You will too.