Spending time in nature soothes my soul.  Too often, our daily life leaves us bombarded by images, sounds and smell.  We are overloaded and it shows.  I am one of those souls that likes the simplicity of not having a television.  I don't listen to the radio. And, I focus all my errands into one day. I research a lot and read, read, read. To digest and balance,  I retreat to nature to consult my sacred witness.  And, simply to be with myself.

As we entered the canyon, my partner sat to rest.  I just HAD to see just a little bit further.  I wandered ahead to the edge of the cliff and sat down to take in the beauty.  I turned my head and there he was.  You could only see him from that space, from that angle in that exact spot.  I began to wonder, as I have a million times before, if anyone had ever seen this before? Had anyone ever captured it on film?  Or, sat contemplating the wonders of it all.  Am I the first human being to ever lay eyes on his face?

What a beautiful world I live in!

So much is changing in my world.   My mom and my grandmother passed away just weeks apart.  Everything is a journey.  I am thankful for their lives and examples to me.  I hope that I can make them proud!

In Your Eyes

In Your Eyes  by Photographer Cindy M Maughan

I often wonder what animals think about us. I love animals and was taught that if an animal appeared to you, that it was a message from God to you.  Horses mean power.  I could use a boost right now, with gratitude.  This mare watched me carefully as she observed my movements and listened to the sound of my voice as I visited her trainer.  Although she had never met me before, she was sweet and gentle and was not dismayed or startled when I approached her.  She nodded her head down slightly and moved slowly so she could smell me.  Her head lowered as allowed me to touch her and begin stoking her fur.  I rubbed behind her ear and as I ran my hand down the muscles of her neck,  I heard her breath let go in a sigh and I felt as she relaxed like she had known me forever.  A kinship.  A connection.  I looked at her and our eyes locked.  Soul to soul. Again, I wondered and asked telepathically what I look like "In your eyes?"  

Through Life's Storms

Through Life's Storms by Photographer Cindy M Maughan

Although I don't participate in organized religion, the community around me are devout.  My Grandmother worships in her temple and she believes!  As life's storms come upon us, she reminds us to pray to our creator for wisdom and guidance and is always willing to "put our name" in her temple to have others help her pray for our souls, too.  It is comforting to know that other people are willing to do this for you.  Will it help or make a difference?  I would like to think so.  We can, with collective consciousness make  the world a better place for us all.   Soon, the storm will pass as they all do and brighter days will shine through.  She tells me that Faith and Fear cannot live in the same space.  What will you choose?

What's Your Story?

What's your Story? by Photographer Cindy M Maughan

All of us do it.  Whether we know it or not.  I am doing it right now.  This is my story.  I am writing it as I go.  There are no dress rehearsals in life and it is highly doubtful that I will get a do over.  It is my responsibility to leave a trail through the woods that we all walk down to get through this thing called life. What's your story?

Shout out to the Honeybees

Shout out to the Honeybees by Cindy M Maughan Native Soul Gallery

A big shout out to the honeybees.  As scientists race to find the answer to ever reducing bee populations, we realize how much we need these little guys. We count on them to deliver our daily food, our shelter and beauty.   They pollinate trees, fruits, veggies and  flowers.    Vital to our way of life, we must consider how our choices affect the tiniest creatures on earth.  Without the bees, we perish.