Jen's Nature Lens

 "It seems that we do not understand one thing: it is not good when we return the love of those who love us, yet hate those who hate us. We are not on the right path if we do this. We are the sons of light and love, the sons of God, His children. As such we must have His qualities and His attributes of love, peace, and kindness towards all." + Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica, Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives   The Light of Your Way by Symeon the New Theologian Turkey (949-1032) Holy are you, O Lord, holy, blessed and One. Holy are you, and generous for you have flooded my heart      with the light of your way, and you have raised up in me      the Tree of Life.  You have shown me a new heaven      upon the earth. You have shown me a secret Garden,      unseen within the seen. Now am I joined soul and spirit      present in your Presence--   your Presence that has waited long in me, your Presence, ...

 "The earth was all before me. With a heart Joyous, not scared at its own liberty, I look about; and should the chosen guide Be nothing better than a wandering cloud, I cannot miss my way." ~ William Wordsworth  Extract From "The Excursion" By William Wordsworth Such was the boy-- but for the growing youth, What soul was his, when, from the naked top Of some bold headland, he beheld the sun Rise up, and bathe the world in light! He looked-- Ocean and earth, the solid frame of earth And ocean's liquid mass, beneath him lay In gladness and deep joy. The clouds were touched, And in their silent faces did he read Unutterable love. Sound needed none, Now any voice of joy; his spirit drank The spectacle: sensation, soul, and form All melted into him; they swallowed up His animal being; in them did he live, And by them did he live; they were his life. In such access of mind, in such high hour Of visitation from the living God, Thought was not; in enjoyment it expired. ...