Monthly Archives: June 2023

You, the Lotus

Spiritual enlightenment, rebirth, the divine. For centuries the lotus flower has symbolized all of these in various cultures. It also represents good old grit and determination, the will to endure. A lotus seed can survive without water for thousands of years and it is still able to germinate to grace our world with exquisite beauty.

Whether you choose to embrace the pragmatic earthbound or the ethereal symbolism, they actually go hand-in-hand. During our lifetimes, our souls accumulate wisdom through our earthly experiences, our willingness to learn, and our strength to endure.

Envision your soul as a beautiful lotus flower ~ growing your wisdom, unfolding and blossoming, petal by petal.

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” (Aristotle)

Susan L Hart 2023 | HartInspirations.com

Today

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Start of a new day.
Have you given your thoughts space
to bring good to you?

This morning I woke up thinking about sunrises and sunsets – not how many I have enjoyed in life, mind you, but how many I have missed – followed by the “requisite regret”. There was quite a bit of negativity built into that first thought of the day. I quickly self-observed and adjusted accordingly, but in the stress of our modern day life, how often are we waking up with anything but thoughts of what to do, how little time we have to do it (time to watch the sun rise? Hah!), and all the problems associated with getting our ducks in a row and making ends meet.

I dipped into my Hart Haiku collection to write today’s post, and decided that “Today” was the perfect one. Have you – did you – give your mind time to formulate the correct thoughts to bring good to you today? Those first thoughts may be the most important work we do each and every day. They set the tone and our intention for our lives. Once we have developed the habit, it is no longer work to think positively. It simply becomes who we are. I don’t know about you, but I obviously still have some work to do in this area…

I’m wishing for you a wonderful day full of good thoughts, and hence, good things. 🙂

Today is from Hart Haiku Vol. 1.

Totem

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Star-struck sunflowers,
nothing holds a candle to
your idol, The Sun.

It occurs to me this morning that cats and sunflowers might be “birds of a feather”. There is a certain aloof pride in both that suggests these fauna and flora are connected.

Their arrogance I find quite intriguing, although sunflowers might have it all over cats in this regard – and that’s saying a lot! Above and beyond feeding time, I feel that my cat cares about me quite a lot, actually. But sunflowers? I have this sneaking suspicion that their allegiance lies solely with Mr. Sun!

Us: Arriving in the garden, watering can in hand. Them (disdainfully): “Oh, it’s YOU again. You’re interrupting our sunbathing. Just leave the water right over there…)

In spite of their grand snootiness, I love sunflowers. I have painted them often, and you have to really admire a flower that aspires to be THE SUN.

Totem © Susan L Hart is from Hart Haiku Vol. 1. | HartInspirations.com

Ambassador

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Blue-footed booby,
quirky clown, gallivanting
your Galapagos.

As you can plainly see from my photos, if in future you seek an audience with the blue-footed booby on North Seymour Island, be sure to wear your old shoes. 😉 The blue-footed booby is not limited to this island, but it’s a popular mating spot.

This haiku is written in response to Fake Flamenco’s June 2023 Poetry Challenge. (Thank you, Rebecca Cunningham.) #ffpoemapop