Tag: appreciation

Istanbul (Sailing From Byzantium)

 

If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.
–Alphonse de Lamartine

 

Istanbul (Constantinople is only a small part of it) was a bit overwhelming. I’ve been to places that felt like they were the middle of nowhere but spanning both Asia and Europe and bordering the Middle East, Istanbul feels like it can be a portal to everywhere. It has at various times belonged to the Greeks (Byzantium), the Romans and the Ottoman Empire and in its populace, architecture and style it incorporates all of these and more.
We visited the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) which was moving in its scope and ceremony and then we went to the marketplace. Everywhere are people selling their wares whether they be flutes, guidebooks, yoyo tops or carpets. It can be very difficult to resist the natural charm, persistence and sheer sales ability of these street vendors. I asked one for directions to the nearest bank machine and found myself in possession of three small carpets.
After the bazaar we went on a cruise around the Bosporus Sea and then in the afternoon visited the Topakapi Palace and the Agia Sophia a beautiful building that has housed both Church, Mosque and now a combination of the two during its long history.
Someone told me long ago that the most important phrase you can learn in any language is Thank You. Over the years I have made a point in learning how to say it in as many languages as possible. This trip has brought home to me how a simple expression of appreciation to someone in their native language can open doors and make people smile. If you add to that true curiosity about their culture, faith and lives you can make friends almost anywhere
Blessings, G

 

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Istanbul from the BospherousIstanbul From the Bospherous

 

Blue MosqueBlue Mosque

 

Istanbul Grand BazaarGrand Bazaar

 

Turkish Carpet WeavingTurkish Carpet Weaving

 

Creating A Space For Appreciation and Beauty

 

“The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it. If a mountain is a deity, not a pile of ore; if a river is one of the veins of the land, not potential irrigation water; if a forest is a sacred grove, not timber; if other species are biological kin, not resources; or if the planet is our mother, not an opportunity – then we will treat each other with greater respect. Thus is the challenge, to look at the world from a different perspective.”
— David Suzuki

 

If David Suzuki’s premise is true and our view of the world shapes our treatment of it, then how true is it about the way we see ourselves? If we see ourself as people whom the world treats badly and who never gets what they want then what motivation do we have to work on ourselves. However, if we see ourselves as a work in progress and believe that success is possible through growth and perseverance and that abundance is present and unrealized then maybe, just maybe we can find something either beautiful or joyful in each day to appreciate.
After listening to a friend of mine tell me each day for several weeks about how rough her life was and being largely negative in her view, I asked her to do me a favour. I asked her if each day she would consciously find one beautiful moment or image that passed her way and tell me about it. She reluctantly did this and after about a week it seemed to have a profound difference on her outlook in general.
It may not effect everyone’s outlook in a dramatic way yet I have found for myself as well that once I make the space for beauty or joy or perhaps its just for appreciation, something wonderful comes along to fill it.
Blessings, G

 

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Cycles of lifeCycles of Life by G A Rosenberg

 

ProletariatProletariat by G A Rosenberg

Abundance, Appreciation & Gratitude

 

“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.”
― Anthony Robbins

 

In the past when I’ve heard the word abundance, I thought of it as being an embarrassment of riches. As much money as I might want to have, as much great tasting healthy food as I might want to eat and all my needs taken care of. In that I was at least half right. It does mean having as much as is needed or wanted yet its amazing how much the scale slides down. If I can learn to appreciate and savour a walk in the evenings with my dogs or a conversation with either an old friend or someone new and interesting than the definition of an abundant amount of entertainment changes quite quickly. If I stay active and put effort into enjoying my life (even the less than fun parts) then I am less likely to look to food to fill my time or elevate my mood and so the amount of food needed to have abundance changes. If I am grateful for everything that comes my way in life then the chances of me slowing down long enough to experience it increases and I realize that with relatively little, I can be abundantly satisfied
Blessings, G

 

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Rising of the ForceRising of the Force by G A Rosenberg

 

Moving ForwardMoving Forward by G A Rosenberg

Beautiful Sunset After Rainy Day

Seduced by the beauty
Of a fire-lit sky
Reflection pink
on the water
I sit here
as my spirit sails
In wonderment.
I’ve been taught
To live in truth and walk in beauty
Amazing aspirations
I appreciate how far I’ve come
Yet my journey has barely begun
Can’t wait to see what happens next
And yet feel no rush.
I love this
and the life, world and being that have
brought me here
-GAR

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