“Abundance is not something we acquire,” Wayne Dyer once said, “It is something we tune into.” I wholeheartedly agree. It’s not about having, or doing, or aspirational thinking. The Secret (if there is one) is to be fully present in each moment, wholly appreciative of the gifts available to us in the here and now.
It’s the ability to see a hummingbird’s nest for the iridescent promises it holds…
And to greet unannounced guests as if they belonged, as if this were the plan all along.
Abundance reveals itself when you wade, unafraid, into frothy waters.
Sometimes it appears as if by magic–shimmery bouquets from a bubble wand, for instance.
It presents itself in expansive moments of peaceful awareness,
Expresses itself as joyful noise or a whispered “amen.”
Abundance is a splashy little thing,
With a graceful elegance.
It’s a timeless beauty, capable of endless transformations.
Abundance can be of our own making, of course–bread dough, for instance, set to rise in a warm kitchen.
Perfect in its imperfections, it fills us with a delicious sense of well-being.
Abundance is the secret gardens we tend…
Within each seed of awareness, an abundant harvest.
I snapped these photos over the course of this past year. They speak to grand adventures and simple delights, quiet beauty and occasions that shout, Behold! It’s a curated collection, brief glimpses of the whole story, but when I remember these wide-eyed, breathless moments, I’m filled anew with gratitude for the abundance they represent.
How apropos, that Thanksgiving week prompted the challenge word abundance. Want to see more? Visit Veronica Roth’s page and follow the links. My responses to previous challenge words are available here.
Carol baldwin
I over this! Your photography is awesome. Thanks for sharing with us.
Melodye Shore
So glad it “spoke” to you, Carol. I love that you see/experience abundance in your own life, as well…fat thumbs included. 😉
Carol baldwin
On my phone. That should have been “love”. Abundance of fat thumb!
Tere
wow, that was wonderful, so simple and yet so profound… thank you.
Melodye Shore
Profound, I’ll leave to others who are smarter than I am. But I oftentimes think the “simple” truths are the grandest, in the scheme of things. So fun to see and share them. Thank you for stopping by, Tere. xo
Lynn Hall
Both the prose and the photos are beautiful, as always.
Melodye Shore
Someday I’d like to visit those beautiful mountains of yours–they speak volumes, in a loud voice, and I’d like to listen.
(But yeah, cold. And altitude. Could you arrange an enclosed gondola?)
Veronica Roth
Those are some beautiful photographs Melodye. Oh my goodness, I just love looking at your photos! 😀
Melodye Shore
Oh, thank you SO much. Someone recently mentioned that I’ve got an invisible “signature” on my pics–something in the POV that identifies them as mine. She wouldn’t say more, but suggested I should look a little closer. Hmmm. I’m still trying to figure that out. 🙂
Tammie
wonderful photos, one and all
i never thought of a leopard eating a watermelon
i also enjoyed your thoughts on our DC
thank you
Melodye Shore
Isn’t that fun? We visit a cat conservation reserve at least once a year. It’s a fund-raising event, at night when the cats are more active. They give them all kinds of behavioral “toys,” and treats, to entice them out of their dens. Magnificent animals that they are, they like to maul (and then eat) watermelons and pumpkins, and they’re capable of shredding entire phone books with a single swipe of their claws.
Oritte
One of my favorites. Exquisite
Melodye Shore
The topic is so near to my heart–not a huge secret, I know. I’m glad it resonated with you, too, my friend.
Renee
Wow, you are a very good poet who provokes thought! Your delightful photos compliment your inspirational words!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Melodye Shore
So funny: I’ve never thought of myself as a poet, but these art challenges tend to bring out the lyrical in all of us, don’t they? Thanks for stopping by–I’m looking forward to seeing how YOU’ve interpreted this week’s prompt!
Barbara Etlin
I’ve gone back to look at a few of these: the bird standing in water with perfect ripples and reflection; the visiting deer; the bubble bouquet. Exquisite! Thanks for sharing your abundance of photographic talent.
tinyWOOLF
your personal collection of images speaks of abundance indeed, and it is of course true that we have it all at our fingertips, as long as we are aware, look and behold, and find the moment worthy to stand still and enjoy. n♥
Melodye
We are as blessed as we realize ourselves to be, no outward affirmations required. 🙂
Hopping over to your blog next–can’t wait to see how you interpreted this week’s challenge!
eric
A beautiful overview of what life can give us! – eric
Melodye
Thanks, Eric. Can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with!
Donna
I truly love this post! At this time of year, there is so much focus, and rightly so, on evaluating and setting goals, preparing to make the new year a time of change. In the midst of all the hoopla, it’s easy to lose sight of the “Ta-Da moments” – the accomplishments, the special moments, the abundance of life. By nature, we seem to hone in on the negatives, on our deficiencies, and yet, when seen as a curated collection, it’s plain to see that goodness prevails. My favorite – a splashy little thing!
Tammie
hello,
i wanted to stop by and invite you to DC this coming weekend. I am hosting. Stop by the blog to see if you are interested. (I don’t have your email to let you know about it).