Project Athena - Day 154 (Reflection)

"Reality" Distorted?

My last day of reflections and I have a few questions. How have we as a human race come to believe that there is only one right way, one absolute truth, one way to perceive "reality"? Who told us there was normal and not normal? And who decided the bell curve was a good model to describe the human condition?

These are not meant to be rhetorical questions. I just wonder about these things because every person who has ever lived and perceived has seen the world through their own set of distorted lenses, even those I consider enlightened. And so, who really even knows if there is such a thing as truth or enlightenment or reality?

What if it's ALL illusion? And what if there were no answers to the questions? I guess then I just get to choose what I will believe to keep from going bonkers.

I choose to believe in Love as a universal reality/truth. (Implicitly, i am also choosing to believe there is an "i" who can believe things, an high vibration of energy known as love, and that there are universes.)

Smiling.

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Reflection of the stable at Bobcat Ridge

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 46mm • F/14 • 1/250s • ISO 400

Project Athena - Day 153 (Reflection)

Abstract Reflection

“When you are willing to shine the light of love onto the parts that you are not proud of – onto the unaccepted parts, the unloved parts, the unwanted emotions, into all the darkened corners of your soul – love will suffuse them, embrace them, until you are left as nothing but love itself. Love arises when you expose everything.”

— Brandon Bays

A day of reflection as this funky, illustrated light, abstract photo describes my current mood (blue). It also reveals a very familiar and significant tool of my life (The Journey) that continues to offer itself as a direct path to dropping the stories that perpetuate the mood (and physical sickness my case today) in exchange for raw, unadulterated emotion (energy) which generally purifies the body, mind and spirit allowing a brilliant light to be shined on that diamond within.

There is fear of fear here. And all emotions demand to be felt. See you on the other side of this....

Fear, grief, rage, sadness, shame, stillness, peace, love, infinite. No story. Six minutes.

Ahhh. Deep breaths. I feel better.

I'm smiling and I gotta thank some people here. Brandon, Kevin, Patricia, Skip, Kristine, Lara, Arnold, Claire, and all the beautiful friends I have come to love through this connection.

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The Journey Diamond

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 46mm • F/32 • 1/6s • ISO 800

Project Athena - Day 152 (Reflection)

Cliffs Along the Poudre

Today, I took a walk around Watson Lake in Fort Collins. I watched two golden eagles soar and play along these orange colored cliffs. So beautiful. So graceful. It just felt good to be out in the warmth of the sunshine soaking in some very precious light.

Winter is coming.

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Cliffs Reflected in the Poudre River

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 55mm • F/22 • 1/8s • ISO 200

Project Athena - Day 151 (Reflection)

Self Reflection

“My role in society, or any artist’s or poet’s role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all.”

— John Lennon

One of the more interesting buildings in Loveland, CO even though somewhere along they way, it's architectural integrity was compromised by putting in disability ramps. I am not saying there should not have been accommodations made for those with disabilities. Just saying some people still like to use stairs and some things are worth preserving.

I am liking the self portrait here. It's a true reflection of my view on religion. I prefer to view it from a safe distance, outside the building, indirectly, through the eyes of an artist and from a different perspective than many. I am grateful I live in a place and time where I am allowed the freedom to choose for myself, and you all for yourselves!

May we all know the blissful love of Creator in our hearts and lives, the kind that makes us smile on the inside.

Reflection of Church Building in Loveland

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 18mm • F/22 • 1/20s • ISO 400