“I am making a home inside myself. A shelter of kindness where everything is forgiven, everything allowed—a quiet patch of sunlight to stretch out without hurry, where all that has been banished and buried is welcomed, spoken, listened to—released.
A fiercely friendly place I can claim as my very own. I am throwing arms open to the whole of myself—especially the fearful, fault-finding, falling apart, unfinished parts, knowing every seed and weed, every drop of rain, has made the soil richer.
I will light a candle, pour a hot cup of tea, gather around the warmth of my own blazing fire. I will howl if I want to, knowing this flame can burn through any perceived problem, any prescribed perfectionism, any lying limitation, every heavy thing.
I am making a home inside myself where grace blooms in grand and glorious abundance, a shelter of kindness that grows all the truest things.” -Julia Fehrenbacher -
Photo: Karla-M Bardz
I think it's beautiful, the way you carry the pain as long as you need to, until it doesn't hurt anymore, and finally put it down, lay it to rest, and only visit it again to grab the knowledge from the lesson. And sometimes you place flowers on the grave of what you learned, but this time you don't cry, and that is everything. ~Stephanie Bennett-Henry
🎨Rosa Vera
The Magical Deer of Zhang Guolao
Zhang Guolao, one of the Eight Immortals, is known for his eccentric personality and magical abilities. Among his many mystical companions, the white deer stands out.
In one story, Zhang was traveling through a remote and dangerous mountain range when bandits ambushed him. Calmly, he called out to his deer, which appeared from the shadows of the forest.
But this was no ordinary deer—it had the power to shape-shift. Before the bandits could act, the deer transformed into a fierce dragon, roaring and shaking the ground. The bandits, terrified, fled, leaving Zhang unharmed.
In another tale, Zhang’s deer carried him across great distances in moments, leaping from peak to peak as if defying gravity. It was said that the deer’s speed and agility were gifts from the Tao, a reflection of Zhang’s deep spiritual connection to the natural and supernatural worlds.
The deer in Zhang’s tales is a protector and a symbol of adaptability, showing that spiritual strength often comes from being able to transform and navigate life’s challenges with grace.
Source: The Taoism for the Modern World
Empowering Female Faces in Art Nouveau Architecture: A Global Phenomenon From the late 19th to the early 20th century, stunning mascarons of female sculpted faces adorned buildings in:
Brownies are mythical creatures deeply rooted in Scottish folklore. These diminutive beings are known for their industrious nature and helpful demeanor, often performing household chores in exchange for small offerings of food or clothing. Described as small, brown-skinned, and elf-like, Brownies are believed to reside in homes and barns, unseen by humans unless they choose to reveal themselves.
Legend has it that Brownies are fiercely loyal to those they serve, but they can also be mischievous if mistreated or neglected. They are said to take offense at any attempt to pay them for their services, preferring instead simple tokens of appreciation.
Brownies are often associated with old, rural Scottish households, where they would tend to livestock, clean hearths, and complete other chores during the night. Despite their helpfulness, they are also known for their shyness and aversion to human contact, often disappearing if they feel threatened or disrespected.
Even today, Brownies remain a cherished part of Scottish folklore, representing the value of hard work, loyalty, and kindness.
Life is a game. Are you winning or surviving?
Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. John F Kennedy
@MissAdventurous For when you're feeling a bit sluggish.