Attentiveness

Tramadol Cheapest Online “Ten times a day something happens to me like this – some strengthening throb of amazement – some good sweet empathic ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.” ~ Mary Oliver

Journal Reflections

A walk in the desert and I experience that same throb, a sense of wonder repeatedly. Walking in the desert is not exercise for my body – I hardly take a step before I stop to listen and look – but exercise for my mind, my soul, my spirit. I hike far enough so that I am there, alone. Only the music of the coyote song or cactus wren accompany my breathing and the racing of my heart.

I discovered something about my photographic habits a couple of weeks ago. Whenever I see something I want to photograph, I ready my camera settings and raise the viewfinder to my eye. If I see what I anticipated, I trill in excitement. Something like “oh, oh, oh” — always in triplicate. I do it without thought. When I hear my unexpected little song, I laugh.

So the coyote, the cactus wren, and the camera lady — we sing together in the desert.

 ——————

Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is exploring creative photography. poetry, and emotion in a new series featuring desert botanicals.

About Bo Mackison

I'm a photographer, book-artist, traveler, naturalist, and creator of the Contemplative Creatives Journey, An Online Workshop and Community and https://drcarlosarzabe.com/dr-carlos-arzabe/ Desert Wisdom Cards and Workshops. Though often not well known, I find the desert a welcoming place - a healing space. Its mysteries and gifts transformed me several years ago. Since that first encounter, I return again and again to fill my well in what most people think of as a desolate region. I'd love to share my desert discoveries and wisdom with you. Please subscribe to receive my five part mini email course https://drcarlosarzabe.com/dr-carlos-arzabe/ The Gifts of the Desert. It's my gift to you.

Comments

  1. Joanna Paterson says

    I know that oh!

    These images are gorgeous

    • Bo Mackison says

      Ah yes. I am sure there are a great many of us out there, singing our own rendition of “oh, oh, oh”. Part of our great enjoyment, camera in hand. Thanks. 🙂

  2. So pretty!!

  3. I like your description of walking in the desert. I always felt much the same way about it.

    • Bo Mackison says

      Walking in the desert or walking in the mountains — it seems such experiences add great meaning to our lives, Montucky. 🙂

  4. Monica Devine says

    Huh! I’m with you; photography is (one of) my passion(s). The study of attention is fascinating; love your photos and poetry.

  5. A favorite post, this one. I, too, love the solitude of the desert. The smell, the sounds of silence, of nature. “oh, oh, oh!” I will hear that in my mind every time I see a new photo of yours! LOVE this, Bo.

    • Bo Mackison says

      It’s so true — the desert is such a wondrous place, undiscovered by so many – which adds to its attraction. Places that offer solitude are special, indeed. As for that “oh, oh, oh”, listen to yourself for a while and see it there’s a habit you associate with a great find — it’s kind of fun to notice. 🙂

  6. Love this image and your thoughts, Bo. I understand this:

    “Something like “oh, oh, oh” — always in triplicate.”

    🙂

  7. Oddly enough, I do, Bo. Although it’s more like “ah, ah, ah” than “oh, oh, oh” for me. 🙂

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