Even when it’s only a glow along the horizon, the northern lights still dazzle and leave us in awe.
Standing at the end of the forest, with eyes toward the Northern Minnesota sky, the rest of the world simultaneously falls away and seems to grow limitless. Every viewing is just as magical as if one were seeing them for the first time.
~ Kat
The stars dance in the sky as the lights of the aurora reach toward them, undulating and softly glowing along the horizon in a dance of their own, while the pine trees gently sway.
Ciao! ~ Kat
This post was in response to the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge. “Dance” is this week’s theme. Everyone is welcome to join in the Challenge; further details on how to participate and links to others’ responses are found here: Dance.
Looking across Lake Superior as the moon rises, stars filling the sky, no sound but the wind in the trees, and deer rustling in the woods … it is difficult to imagine the world could be anything but at peace on evenings like this.
John Lennon’s song “Imagine” contains timeless words and hope for peace, which is why this video and story of the pianist playing it outside the Bataclan in Paris went viral.
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…… You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one(lyrics excerpt from “Imagine” by John Lennon)
It is difficult to imagine ways everyday people like myself can contribute toward world peace in a meaningful way. All the supportive Facebook posts, changed profile pictures, and tweets of solidarity do little to effect change halfway around the world. I am not so idealistic to think that a single individual can turn the ugly tide of the extremist movement.
I do believe, though, that an individual can create a ripple of change, promote a glimmer of hope and understanding that touches another individual, or perhaps a few. And that those few, in turn, can reach out to more, spreading tolerance and a curiosity of other cultures and peoples that drives a desire for learning how we are more alike than not.
Let words and prayers for peace turn into action. Let the dreamers come together and turn dreams into reality. Let us not forget the people touched by the tragedies in Beirut, in Baghdad, in Paris ….
~ Kat
Regularly pausing to reflect on my blessings helps remind me to be grateful for what is important in life. I hope you enjoy my first weekly “reflection of gratitude” blog post. Ciao! ~ Kat B.
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“Be glad of life because it gives you a chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars.” ~ Henry Van Dyke
