Awareness

I - 64 Bridge - Ohio River

 

One can see the Ohio River from Kentucky or Indiana from many overlooks.  With the awareness of the function of human eyes comes happiness.  This scene has the blue water, the green trees and the white and blue sky.  This is a wonder if you accept this scene as an opportunity.

The surviving

Today's writing explains more about the thought on the May 26, 2014 post.  A B-24 went missing somewhere around the Pacific island area of Palau.  A B-24 normally has a crew of 10.  Since the aircraft was not found in the 1940s each surviving family had the uncertainty of the situation to consider.  One can imagine the difficult wondering that could come from such an event.  The unknown is perhaps one of the most difficult situations to accept when a family member does not return from a mission overseas.

Now

Pinus virginiana - Jefferson Memorial Forest -August, 2014

Improve your immune system?  When you bring your awareness to the present and bring your attention to your breath you exercise your brain.  Being present and focused has benefits when you practice doing the attention exercise.  There is evidence that people that practice this have improved immune systems.

Ohio Shore

Ohio River, Near Cane Run Road, Kentucky

This is the Ohio River as seen from the Kentucky shore on an August afternoon.  This is an experience that can be enjoyed in the here and now.  When walking one can walk in a way that is a kiss to the earth.  There has been much damage done to nature.  Now comes the time to walk and to walk as though one is giving the earth a kiss.

Held in appreciation

Two seeds, one tree

The Jefferson Memorial Forest continues though we take its presence for granted.  When we are aware of the forest we benefit from the forest.

If you have anger and you become angry at your anger you are walking with two angers.  If you act tenderly toward your anger you will have much less harm come from your anger.   Over time your understanding will open you so that your anger is less intense.

What I saw

Jefferson Memorial Forest

When going out one finds new things.  This flower was out in the sun on a July day in the Jefferson Memorial Forest.

Continued living brings one learning.  One learns from suffering; happiness is also learned.  Without suffering there is no learning of the appreciation of happiness.

One experiences anger.  A person may carry anger along on their journey.  After practicing appeciation daily the force of anger becomes much less powerful.

On the journey one finds much to appreciate.

Growing

Shagbark Hickory

 



Trees take in their resources and add new branches. Slow and steady growth. The way of trees is growth when growth can be done.  Trees impress.  Carya ovata grows in most of the Eastern United States from southeastern Nebraska and southeastern Minnesota across to southern Maine, southward to Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and eastern Texas.  Trees live and continue to grow, growing when opportunities present. 

Mighy Ohio

Ohio River, Downstream of the McAlpine Locks

This river carries cargo for great areas of the Midwest. The K and I railroad bridge crosses to Indiana in this view.  

The dams that allow boats to travel on the river are maintained by skilled workers.  Though their efforts go mostly unnoticed the cargo that is carried would not be able to be transported were it not for the workers.

Many families live in the valley along the route of this river. The water is the source of water for the communities in this valley.Though it is taken for granted this water is vital to the people.  This is a sacred resource.

Going

This place had silos where soybeans were processed into various products.  The University of Louisville has the property now.  The silos are being demolished as can been in this photograph taken on August 1, 2014.  The silo with the missing side has part of the roof structure hanging from the wall edge.  

One learns that impermanence is a part of one's experience.  Some things that were familiar will be gone in a little while.

Walking

Jefferson Memorial Forest

This is the trail marker for one of the approaches for the Purple Heart trail.  The Purple Heart trail can be walked as a loop.  There is convenient parking between the hillside and Tom Wallace Lake.  Most the forest area is wooded.  There are few benches.  Consider bringing a square of nylon sized to sit on.   I have a tan colored bag that looks like an over sized pocket.  If I put a plastic bag inside the bag the water from the rock I am sitting on will not migrate to me.  My bag is a thick nylon that is unlikely to move even in a strong wind.  One learns to select gear that will not be moved easily by the wind.

Bringing gear to sit on is especially useful in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The trails have numerous logs that are good to sit on if one has a square to put down to make seating comfortable.  The Chimney Tops trail comes to mind.  The Chimney Tops trail is a very scenic trail with many firm spots that would make good rest stops.

The Jefferson Memorial Forest is a good place to practice walking awareness.  The forest is a good place to be aware that you are aware.