Thursday, July 12, 2012

A Path

Donna Watson, acrylic collage painting, Imprint
"When you're lost in the woods, it sometimes takes you awhile to realize that you are lost.  For
the longest time, you can convince yourself that you've just wandered off the path, that you'll find your way back to the trail head any moment now.  Then night falls again and again, and you still have no idea where you are, and it's difficult to admit that you have bewildered yourself so far off the path that you don't even know from which direction the sun rises anymore."  Elizabeth Gilbert

   image by Donna Watson, Osaka Japan

"It may be that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey.  The mind that is not baffled is not employed.  The impeded stream is the one that sings."
Wendell Berry

   image by Donna Watson, Kyoto Japan

"This is your road.  Only you will take it.  And there's no turning back."
Olav H. Hauge

image by Donna Watson, Kyoto Japan

"It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work
and when we no longer know which way to go, 
we have begun our real journey."
Wendell Berry

image by Donna Watson, Kyoto Japan

"You see, I want a lot.
Perhaps I want everything:
the darkness that comes with every infinite fall
and the shivering blaze of every step up."
Rilke

 image by Donna Watson, Nara Japan

"Will you rewalk that path with the stone lanterns
over and over again in dreams?
and wake to walk
the path you've created in your own temple?"
Nancy Neva Gagliano

           image by Donna Watson, Kyoto Japan

What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from.
T. S. Eliot

  
"Every moment in your life is a turning and everyone a choosing.  Somewhere you made a choice.  All followed to this."  -- Cormac McCarthy


42 comments:

Naquillity said...

what an uplifting post with all these wonderful quotes and beautiful images. have a great night~

Leslie Avon Miller said...

I see you over there on your path Donna!

“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That's why it's your path.”
― Joseph Campbell

I can't see mine either really. I just keep walking, one foot and then the next. Sometimes I even circle around awhile.

What beautiful path images you have shared with us. Namaste

Unknown said...

Your beautiful photos are a satisfying compliment to the powerful quotes. I feel especially moved by Cormac McCarthy's words. -sus

Anonymous said...

Beautiful images, beautiful words. Both invite more closer examination.
Pat

Unknown said...

Step by step.......how we go. Thanks for some gorgeous images to ponder.

Di said...

Wonderful words, beautiful photographs. Inspiring!

Jennifer said...

Like of breath of fresh air! Gorgeous photos, wonderful quotes. Kyoto must be a magical place. Thank you for sharing.

Barry said...

D-beautiful images and reflective quotes. Of course you have rekindled our desire to return to Kyoto and soak in the beauty of the gardens and paths. Thanks. B

lyle baxter said...

once more you have gotten my day off to a wonderful start! the photos from Kyoto are so peaceful! thank you.

Laura said...

Oh Donna, thank you for sharing this, quickly took a peek this morning and received what I needed for this day...keep on the path, your path..love the work too at the very beginning of the post.

Green is a color we aren't seeing much of these days in the midwest/ILL. area..so to see your images gives hope.
Peace in, out and all around you today.

Caterina Giglio said...

so beautiful and serene, thanks for reminding me of where i am going...

Valerianna said...

A beautiful journey, thank you!

Marti Schmidt said...

Thanks for an uplifting way to start my day
Marti Schmidt

Marti Schmidt said...

OOPS!
Marti Schmidt URL was wrong

Lisa Hughes said...

D, Your images remind us that the path is never straight nor is it without its perils. Falling off is always a fear we carry with us. It is not about the falling off, but about never taking the risk. Thanks for reminding us that our journey is never easy but the steps are always worth taking. L

Carole Reid said...

Donna, it's always such a pleasure coming to your blog. You inspire me in so many ways.

Jann Gougeon said...

Oh my . . what incredibly beautiful aesthetics these.
I think I could live in Kyoto . . fodder for my dreams.

And paths . . "only one step at a time" I remind myself frequently.

ZenDotStudio said...

oh my, what delicious photos. I have always loved images of paths, and gateways and doorways. something at once mysterious and beckoning.

lovely quotes. the Wendell Berry ones are especially good. they give the flavour of the mystery of our journeys.

happy path finding!

Magdalena said...

Thank you Donna for this beautiful post and thoughts...
my best regards

ELFI said...

cette création ressemble au japon.. ou le contraire..en tous les cas..c'est beau!

Jo Murray said...

There is something quiet and reflective about your work Donna, obviously influenced by the affinity you have with Japan. Lovely photos and quotes. An altogether satisfying post.

india flint said...

I needed to read this today. The compass is spinning wildly and I am simply putting down one foot and then the other. It dawns from your post that maybe, just maybe, that could be a good thing. We shall see.


Oh, and the images are just delicious , thank you

Jo Reimer said...

Thanks for this post, Donna. I needed to hear these wise words spoken in different voices. I thought I had lost my way but I haven't. It's right there in front of me.

mansuetude said...

i feel the soul of Lao Tzu here, in all the writers words. And almost a resonance of what has been me and mine: struggling with a process, finding, and finding, and giving voice to stone-stories so embedded within.

"the way that can be known is not the way." such old phrases. thank you for your lush and gorgeous photos too. your eye feeds me well!

Neva's words are beautiful.

x

ArtPropelled said...

Beautiful images Donna ... and the words are just what i needed to read today. I've read them over several times and feel comforted.

George said...

A wonderful and edifying post, Donna, both the images and the quote. It's all about paths—old paths, new paths, finding one's way, getting lost, but always moving toward completion.

Fiona Dempster said...

So many beautiful images and gentle reminders here Donna - thank you.

anca gray said...

your post is today's manna in my desert.
thank you for the most gentle and lovely reminder
that perhaps the ambiguous place we find ourselves in is indeed the best place to be.
here's to a step at a time!

mano said...

I like the words of t.s.eliot - and your path pictures very much.
your post "my confrssion" is so beautiful, too. I love your still lifes with stones, old papers and drifttwood.
good luck with your projects!
:-) mano

nancy neva gagliano said...

perfect post.
all the words given up by the greats.
nothing more to write.
\you took me away
following each path/

again\/

annell4 said...

Words and images well chosen. Yes, sometimes we do not know... but it is for each of us to "take another step." Perhaps to listen... for the sound of the heart. Lovely poat.

Seth said...

These images are magical and they make me want to walk each and every path. Pairing them with the quotes makes for the perfect, thought-inducing post!

rivergardenstudio said...

Oh Donna, your images, pathways and reflections, and your words... all so beautiful here. I especially love Neva's prose..
roxanne

susan bowers said...

I love the quote by TS Elliot - .. we call a beginning is often the end ..... etc So often we are on one path and thinking it is leading us when we come to an end, only to realise it is the beginning of the new path. Love these images and thoughts. Have lingered long and will come and linger on this path again.

susan bowers said...

forgot to say amidst all the path wandering and quotes - I really love the way you have made your path painting ... a beautiful page crossing, or is it way more than that? Found the right path perhaps .....

Coffee Messiah said...

Most excellent and beautiful photos = Cheers!

Emma said...

Love those quotes by Wendell Berry, so strong - we should listen to them.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

Education is perhaps one of the best ways that you can make an investment in your life, and often this provides not only an immediate sense of satisfaction by gaining your GED, but also can provide a long term pay off by allowing access to better jobs, higher education, and a more fulfilling quality of life. The GED book types mentioned here are a wonderful starting point in getting further in life than you could without a GED certificate.

best ged book