Connection – A Prairie Wisdom Card

Connection - Prairie Wisdom Card

Monarch on Milkweed © 2011 Bo Mackison

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly.”
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

The monarch butterfly, a bit of bright color in the summer prairie, has a unique story. Monarchs migrate from North America to Mexico every fall, and then return in spring, in an amazing test of inter-generational resiliency – the monarchs that begin the migration do not return. The next generation returns. It is a story of connection – generations of monarchs are required for the annual round trip.

And the monarchs are a visible example of the interconnectedness of nature. The Monarch larvae eat from the milkweed plant, and only from the milkweed. As the milkweed population lessens from loss of habitat and use of pesticides, the monarch populations decrease. All of nature is connected, often in unknown or poorly understood ways. And we are a part of nature. Our lives are ultimately affected by the decline of the many species of plant, insect, and animal whose numbers are slowly being diminished, often the result of human actions.

Not only are we connected – each in our own spectacular way – to all of humanity, not only does what happens to one of us ultimately affects all of us in limitless ways, but that which affects the smallest creatures on earth also plays an important part in our destiny – and that of our earth.

“Our ancient experience confirms at every point that everything is linked together, everything is inseparable.”
~ Dalai Lama XIV

The CONNECTION card offers inspiration for contemplation, journal writing, perhaps an art activity or a daily practice. How does it inspire you?

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.  Bo is creating the set of Prairie Wisdom Cards, second in a series of cards based on natural habitats, and used as inspiration for exploration and self-discovery.

 

Journey – A Prairie Wisdom Card

Journey - A Prairie Wisdom Card

Coneflowers Along the Path © 2013 Bo Mackison

“We may run, walk, stumble. drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.”  ~ Gloria Gaither

Not every path winds through a garden of purple coneflowers, a beautiful sight to enjoy. But every path has its own appeal — sights to see, places to visit, people to greet. Today’s journey may be a stroll through a garden or a walk up and down the aisles of a grocery store.

Today’s journey may be a cross country flight or a walk in the neighborhood. Today’s journey may be a journey in your mind from anxiety to calm, from boredom to engagement, from disappointment to acceptance.

Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are. ~ Anne Lamott

Though life’s journey encompasses years, one  expereinces those years in months, weeks, days, moments. How are you going to spend these next precious moments?

The JOURNEY card offers inspiration for contemplation, journal writing, perhaps an art activity or a daily practice. How does it inspire you?

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.  Bo is creating the set of Prairie Wisdom Cards, second in a series of cards based on natural habitats, and used as inspiration for exploration and self-discovery.

Wonder – A Prairie Wisdom Card

Sunflower in Detail

Sunflower © 2103 Bo Mackison

“Could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy; and you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.”
~ Kahlil Gibran

If you ever have a chance to see a giant sunflower, up close and personal, you will notice that the sunflower seeds always form in a spiral pattern. Each successive seed placement approximated the golden angle, (137.5˚) and so fully covers the space.

What a wonder-evoking sight. We know nature is filled with patterns and sequences, but often they remain hidden from our unseeing eyes. The sunflower, another natural things like pine cones, the leaves on a stem or the branching of a tree, the fronds on a fern, even the tippets covering a pineapple, follow this mathematical formula.

The beauty of the pattern, in part, is a result of the precise play of the positioning of each concentric layer, and the creation of an eye-pleasing spiral. Gifts of wonderment!

“This very moment of your life, if you experience it fully, will show you astonishing wonders and exquisite delights.” ~ Martha Beck

The WONDER card offers activities for contemplation, art, and writing and a call to action:

  • Journal prompt: Compile a list of things that are common to our culture – for example, a vending machine, a super-sized grocery store, the subway. Choose one thing and write about it, writing from the perspective of someone unfamiliar with such conveniences.
  • Art and contemplative activities: The circular mandala often is used as a symbol for the Universe, for the whole. Seeds are the tiny packages filled with potential.
    • Gather seeds of any kind — choose one kind of seed, or different colored and sized seeds. Begin with a seed for the center, then create a circle with seeds, much like the sunflower with its closely packed seeds in ever-expanding spirals.
    • You can create this in nature as a temporary art installation in miniature. Or you can glue the seeds to cardboard for a more permanent mandala.
    • As you create the mandala, consider the potential of each seed, and consider the potential that exists within you.
  • Call to action: Take a walk in nature and look for some of the countless patterns in nature. Express your wonder with each discovery: “What a wonder-filled world!”

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.  Bo is creating a set of Prairie Wisdom Cards, second in a series of cards based on natural habitats, and used for exploration and self-discovery.

Acceptance – A Prairie Wisdom Card

Cosmos

Cosmos © 2013 Bo Mackison

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. ~ Lao Tzu

When we can’t change our reality, the key to peace and a life-long happiness is to accept that which is. Not deny what life is handing us, nor sugar coat the problems. But practice acceptance at what this moment holds. Life happens. It is hard in the present to see the gifts that a difficult or unexpected situation can offer. But challenges often gift us with new perspectives and opportunities.

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.  ~ Søren Kierkegaard

The ACCEPTANCE card offers activities for contemplation, art, and writing and a call to action:

  • Art and contemplative activities: Arrange objects on a small altar. Include objects embody characteristics of imperfection, objects that are tarnished, rusted or frayed. Add natural items that are weathered or cracked. Notice the beauty in these imperfections. Show acceptance for the natural cycle of growth, decay and death.
  • Journal writing activity: Journal about a challenging past event in your life. Write about the lessons learned or the gifts received through your experience.
  • Call to action: Take a walk in the natural world. Pay special attention to the different cycles of nature. Notice the depth and beauty in the fading flowers and grasses, the fleeting shadows on the pavement.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.  Bo is creating a set of Prairie Wisdom Cards, second in a series of cards based on natural habitats, and used for exploration and discovery.