“
“We carry with us the wonders, we seek without us.” ~ Sir Thomas Browne
To step away, to see with different eyes.
Perhaps that’s it. To see “you” in a whole new light. To connect to something deeper, something more meaningful.
What is it that really draws us to visit new places, or to return to that place…that place of special meaning? There is a world out there to see, to experience, to know. And yet, within all that…
…there is another journey…
The journey into that deep and magnificent chasm of “you”.
A world to explore. A world right within your own being.
On Fields Pond.
“A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
I live today, not to seek wealth by common means. I live today, in the wealth of experiences, of moments, of love, of being.
Wednesday, July 21. Stillness. A settled fog upon the pond. Morning sun, rising in the east. A loon calls from deep within the fog. An eagle soars overhead.
And this is right and good. The pond and I.
It calls my name. With kayak, I travel into the pond, into that fog.
And stop.
I let that all envelop me. The beauty of this day, this place, these creatures, nature, our world.
That call of the loon. How is it possible?
The flight of that eagle. What gives her wings?
The fish that swim. The fog that lifts. The plants that grow. The frogs that croak. The water that moves. The moon that sets. The sun that rises.
All of this, a cohesive one. A one with each other…together….
All of this, entering my soul as I sit there, stilled, within that fog-covered pond.
We are one…connected at our soul.
And still, we are each so unique and truly amazing. Like that loon, or the lifting fog.
Do I see this every day?
No, not the lifting fog.
Do I really see the unique and incredible being I am…not just on July 21…every day.
Do you?
Do you see that in you? How amazingly incredible you are! YOU! Flowing from your being, this special thing that makes you shine… (because you really do!)
Oh…maybe you don’t always see that. It’s so easy to let the distractions of life overshadow the amazing within you. It’s there, though. In each of us. In every creature, great and small.
Today, choose to believe…believe in you…
Shine brightly…and live…
And as I reflect back, I’m drawn to that loon…on a still and peaceful daybreak…
…on Fields Pond…
I loved this line Lance: “I live today, not to seek wealth by common means. I live today, in the wealth of experiences, of moments, of love, of being.“
Jonathan — Advanced Life Skills´s Last Fabulous Post ..Motivation and Your Emotional Vocabulary
Jonathan,
Thank YOU!! In the moments of deep experiences, I feel this very much…
This is just so precious to hear today. I love the way that you see the world, Lance. How you look at it through a lens of introspection and quietude. I can picture myself on said pond (not in said, kayak, unless you would like to greet said pond and give it a sloppy, wet kiss). I love the idea of paddling out alone to find the best that is in you. Because it most certainly does exist. I think that we often struggle with the ‘not enoughs’ when really all that you need is waiting within, like a seed that has not yet grown tentative roots and unfurled to reach for the light. Sometimes you have to be your own light and push your way through. But it is all there in you all the time.
Believe it. Make it so.
Thank you for your inspiration, Lance. And I am sorry that I have been conspicuously absent from comments. I do come here and read you all the time. It is good to be back.
Enjoy the day!
Erin
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Erin,
I’m smiling (of course), as I read your take on said kayak! Being out there, within the fog of that morning, completely alone on this pond — this really was such a peaceful existence. Everything else faded away, as that moment became me. In daily life — we don’t have to always kayak out in a quiet lake to experience this solitude…if we can let go, even if just for a little bit, of all other distractions. Not always easy (I know…).
Erin, it’s so good having you here today…and really…whenever you can make it. When it is right for you to comment, you will…and that’s perfectly okay…
Much peace,
Lance
Lance, you are back and with so much prose and beauty — I read this while Bach was playing in the background and it had an amazing calming effect on me. Of course I don’t see the amazing person I am every day — life is too busy and I must pay a visit to this magical pond but your writing enveloped me and embraced me so compassionately. You are amazing, Lance — and you should write a lot more often. I miss seeing your words here. THANK YOU!!!
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Farnoosh,
As I read your comment, and let soak in the thought of classical music playing alongside of this…beautiful. Thank you so much for this moment — this one right now — as I let this settle into my soul.
Farnoosh, what’s interesting is how quickly I found myself reverting to pre-vacation days once we returned home from this wonderful place. And it took me a couple of days before I kind of sat myself down and reminded “me” that I can experience that right here — maybe not physically, but metaphorically — being in that same place — a place of much peace. And your comment today also helps to remind me of that — and the soothing effect that music can have too…
This is beautiful, Lance. Simply beautiful. Thank you for this; you touched my heart.
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Jay,
Thanks for being here, my friend. Your words are touching and meaningful…and I know they are spoken from your heart.
Peace,
Lance
Lance,
The pros here are beautiful as is the image your words paint. It is a peaceful place, a pond, with the life and the world reflected from the water’s surface.
Thank you for sharing this Lance
The Exception,
This pond — or maybe more appropriately, a small lake — provided refuge for myself and my whole family. This particular moment, being out on the water alone — is one that touched my soul. Thank you so much for your caring words.
what a peaceful image!
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Joanne,
Thank you so much! This was a wonderful place to “be”…
Hi Lance,
This whole post is a beautiful thing! I can feel the fog, the movement of the kayak and the silence as I read. What a wonderful day you had and those days turn into a wonderful life. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Tess,
I arose early on this particular morning with this exact plan — to have some moments of silence out on this pond. What was so wonderful — just how moving this all was — much more so than any thought of it in my head had been. And I believe very much that it was because I just let myself fully be in the moment, absorbing all that was surrounding me. So good…
Much peace,
Lance
Evocative images and prose. Thanks for sharing.
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Simon,
Thanks for being here. This moment, and the writing here — very special moments for me…
Hi Lance,
You took the photo gracing your post? Beautiful! Lance, you have so many talents.
Your prose is gorgeous, just like you. So full of life.
I love this line,
“All of this, a cohesive one. A one with each other…together….“
Thanks for your words, Lance. Yes, we are all one, as well.
~xo
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Lori,
The fog over the pond just made the whole moment feel almost surreal. And it was almost instinctual to get my camera out and take a couple of pictures. Later, as I viewed them — this one was particularly meaningful — with the rowboat, the fog, the water…
Yes…we are indeed all one. In moments like this one on the water, I felt this very deeply.
Namaste,
Lance
What a lovely moment I just had with those words. Thank you.
Clearly Composed,
Thanks so much for reading, and wonderful to have you here…
It must feel as if you are one with the water, Lance. Lovely.
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Lynn,
I most definitely felt one with the water in this moment. And really — one with everything — and connected to all. A beautiful moment.… Thank you so much for your words…
Thanks, Lance! What a calming effect I felt while reading this today. Sometimes we need to go to a beautiful place, like Fields Pond…to be at one with nature. We don’t always have to go far. Somewhere to keep our lives focused on *believing in ourselves* and all that we are capable of being. It is a place I visit often!
PS.~ Even the boat has a sense of belonging in this world. She has a name~ “Baby Loon”.
Ah yes, we are all ONE! I Believe!
Julie,
And as I travel through this life, I’m also aware of this…Field Pond (or whatever image it is for each of us) can be with us always…right within our heart. And that’s a place we can always go to. So wonderful — your visiting of this place for you…
And, such a wonderful name for that little rowboat…Baby Loon. So much at home.…right there in Fields Pond…
Peace,
Lance
Wow — did you write that??? That is absolutely incredible! And the picture is gorgeous, too. You are so talented, Lance!
Hey Sahar,
Thank YOU!!! You…are so sweet! The picture is of a small lake we stayed at on vacation…called Fields Pond. It was a wonderful, wonderful place and a real highlight of our whole trip.
Hi Lance,
Gorgeous comes to mind…gorgeous photo, gorgeous quote, gorgeous words and sentiment…
I celebrate the love you share; I celebrate *you*…
Thank you for the beauty you’ve allowed to overflow through your heart…
I kayak, and today I am in that kayak reflecting with you:)
Joy,
…and in that kayak.…a world of beauty awaits. And the thing is, I’m seeing more and more that it’s something that always there…within.…
And I know that it is within you…this place of overflowing love.
Peace and love,
Lance
Beautiful! I could picture that lake, the cool water, the fog, and the thoughts that drift in and out as you sit staring at that fog covered lake.
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Eric,
It was a magical morning…this one morning especially. As if I was meant to be there, experience this, and let it all soak into my soul (which I did). I fell in love with this place of beauty…
And Eric, thank you so much for both this, and for the wonderful sentiments on your site.
Much peace,
Lance
Lance, you had me from that very first quote. The rest was just icing on the cake as they say.. or a beautiful sunrise or sunset! I needed this today & will be reading it over & over again.. and you know I will share!
Thank you!
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Jody,
And you know what.…I LOVE cake! And sunsets…and sunrises… The world really is filled with so much beauty. Just like YOU and your sweet comment here today.
Thank you for this, and for all your beautiful support.
Peace,
Lance
Hi Lance
I think this is one of my most favorite pieces from you thus far. It was so stilling, so poetic and so touching.
I felt it all, I was right there with you and what an experience! The place of stillness you got to experience, that place of oneness will always stay with you.
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Evita,
As I’m sure you can relate, a lake can have a beautiful calming affect. This one particular day was especially moving — the quiet, the fog, the loons, the departing moon accompanied by the arriving sun. And just me. It’s hard to fully describe the real serenity of the moment…
.…and this…yes…will stay with me always…
Much peace and love,
Lance
Lance, with this beautiful piece of prose, you’ve taken me into the deeper aspects of my being. I am grateful, and I hear the hauntingly beautiful echo of the loon’s call…
Loving you, my friend!
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Megan,
There was something very special about the loon and her calls. Amongst the stillness…sweetness in the air… Such a wonderful way to start my day…on that particular day…
Today I carry that with me…that morning. And in that, I find a deeper peace, a deeper belief in the true beauty of our world, a deeper understanding of “me”.…
Love and Peace,
Lance
Fields Pond seems a mighty great place to me.
The Fields Pond we can all turn to, or should I say tune into, any time we so desire.
This is ONE great planet! I really like that YOU are on it with all of us.
I too seek no wealth, but of heart and experience. It is a beautiful place to be.
xo
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Jannie,
Fields Pond.…a true and wonder-filled place. And one that perhaps exists in many forms, in many places, in our wonderful and bountiful world.
And that truly is exactly it…this place is a real place. And yet — it can also exist in our hearts…all of our hearts…
Jannie, we walk a similar path.…and being alongside you on this journey.…this is a gift…
Much peace,
Lance
Oh, wow, this post is EXQUISITE, Lance! Absolutely love it. Thank you for sharing. It makes me think of Finland, which we visited last year. They have around 180 000 lakes there, along with countless forests…breath-taking landscape
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Naomi,
You are so sweet…thank you! Wow, Finland! The whole Scandinavian area would be such a wonderful place to experience — so awesome that you have done just that. From pictures.…that place is so breathtaking.
Peace,
Lance
Serenity at its finest, Lance. Amazing how reading your words touched my senses and placed me in my favourite meditation location.
Many thanks, Amy
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Amy,
This truly was a moment of beautiful serenity. And it’s now become a place I can travel to in my heart…so, so good…
And as I read your words here, I’m thinking of you…and the peace that come from a deeply meditative state.
Much peace,
Lance
Hello Lance,
What a precious gift stillness and solitude can bring to the spirit. I so totally identify with what you’ve shared here. To be in the moment, REALLY in the MOMENT, absorbing all the beauty that surrounds you…it is healing to the soul don’t you think. I know I need more of this. I think it is those times that fill us with what we need to live a life of calm and peace as well as a life in service to others. Too long without those times, and our supply e=runs low.
Beautiful Lance. Great job with this post. I think I will need to meet you in person one of these days, and talk of such things.
Keith,
Yes, there is very much a healing aspect in the stillness we allow within ourselves. And in that healing, I also find a deeper connection to self. Wonderful…to really experience moments like this. I’d like to say that I am at this space often…and yet the truth is, life has a way of making this a challenge, especially if we’re not consciously aware of our state of being. (…part of the journey, I suppose…in getting more deeply connected to self…)
Keith, we definitely must connect up some day! I very much look forward to that…
Peace,
Lance
All of this, a cohesive one. A one with each other…together….
I too, loved that line. It sums up what you do Lance. When we are here together in the jungle, we are one with each other. Thank you for bringing people together with all your special talents.
Audra,
You are sweet…thank you! And truly, it’s so much more than me…it is really all the amazing and caring souls to take time from their day to stop here, to read, and to perhaps leave a comment. And that, my friend, is YOU.
Much Peace,
Lance
Love the article the photo today Lance. We live at the confluence of three rivers in Southeast Washington state, so your article resonates with me. In fact, we live on the river (I realize your article is using a pond) and can visualize exactly what you are writing about as we see this played out often in our back yard.
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Colleen,
Have I ever told you that we visited your part of the world…a couple of years ago! In fact, I have really come to love the wine produced all around SE Washington!!
And…what a wonderful backyard you must have. There is something about water — in all its forms — that I find very special…
Peace,
Lance
Hello Lance:
I want to thank you for the beautiful sanity and peace I’ve touched as I’ve spent a bit of time with you at this post. I’ve just come off attending a busy 5-day blogging course and my mind could be very preoccupied if I wanted to go that route.
But I’d much rather share a few moments with you on a pond I guess in Wisconsin. Just to be reminded of loons… I lived for 36 years in the Cariboo in the interior of British Columbia and loons were part of the tapestry of my life.
Such a pleasure to share life’s journey with you Lance. And by the way thank you so much for your recent comment at my blog. I send warmest greetings to you and all the fortunate fellow beings who gravitate to your blog.…
Christopher,
Thanks so much for the visit today and wonderful comment. This pond was actually one located in the beautiful state of Maine…which we have just returned home from after vacationing there. Such a peaceful place it was…and a place that is very much made for deep conversations along with a whole bunch of fun, too. Someday…maybe we shall spend some time together…reflecting on life and it’s beauty (and we definitely have lots of lakes here in Wisconsin, too!).
Wow, your time in the Cariboo must have been a special place…I’m sensing that now as I let that imagery soak into my soul.
Much peace,
Lance
Thanks for your words back Lance. Deep conversations and a bunch of fun. It doesn’t get any better than that. I think (just my own theory) that when we have a certain long-time connection to the soul of Nature (love of Nature) it makes it easier for us to find wings … and to find kindred spirits. The stillness we love is one stillness — the only stillness there is and the basis perhaps of true community. Look forward to those talks.
Christopher,
Kindred spirits…I like that very much…
And stillness, it really is such a wonderful thing in our lives…and allowing ourselves to do that…so, so good for our soul.
Peace,
Lance
Sorry to be a pedant Lance, but it’s important to me to see Sir Thomas Browne quoted correctly, otherwise quotations end up like Chinese whispers, slowly altering with each citation !
Probably not your fault that the line you quote strictly speaking, varies from the text which in full reads (spelling modernized)-
We carry with us the wonders, we seek without us.
There is all Africa, and her prodigies in us, we are that bold and adventurous piece of nature, which he that studies, wisely learns in a compendium, what others labour at in a divided piece and endless volume. Religio Medici Part 1:15
Hoping you don’t object to this polite correction!
Kevin Faulkner´s Last Fabulous Post ..Bus in a Hole
Kevin,
No problem whatsoever. In fact, I very much appreciate you taking the time to share this. I have changed the quote above. I did find several references to what I had originally — cited back to Sir Thomas Browne. Still, I found even more pointing to what you have shared.
I most certainly want to correctly quote my sources…so this is very much appreciated.
Lance
Poetry at it’s best — when it’s from the soul. You really did a wonderful job with this piece. I felt at peace just reading it. I pictured the fog and my relaxed body as I floated on the water.
You have a gift. You should create an inspirational book out of some of your blog posts. People would love it.
Karl,
Ahh.…and this is something very much spoken directly from my soul. Such a special moment, this one morning in July was…
And…Karl, thanks so much for your generous words today — really, they hold special meaning for me…
Much peace,
Lance
The imagery in the fog, incredibly beautiful. Life is beautiful and this is a great reminder to be still and take it all in.
On Golden Pond was one of my dad’s favorite movies of all time. On Field’s Pond reminded me of that. What a great place. Thank you for sharing.
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Angelia,
I love this, as I hadn’t thought at all about “On Golden Pond” (and it seems so obvious now!). In fact, what I did think about was another famous pond.…Walden (as linked back to Henry David Thoreau).
Thank you. Very deeply, your words hold special meaning for me today…
Peace,
Lance
I have a strong bond with water … I grew up on a lake. It was my stomping ground for exploring and enjoying the peaceful calm.
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JD,
Growing up on a lake — that has to have created some pretty special memories! My wife grew up on a lake, as well. A wonderful place to be as a kid!
Hi Lance,
This was fantastic. It makes me want to pick up my copy of Walden and escape to a lake for a while.
Rob,
A secluded lake…and a copy of Walden…that sounds pretty sweet…
Thanks for the visit here this week!
That’s cool Lance. Thank you for that. If you look at Browne’s writings, especially his ‘Christian Morals’ you may well be lucky enough to find succinct, inspirational quotations usable as spring-boards for posts for your truly inspirational blog.
Kevin Faulkner´s Last Fabulous Post ..Bus in a Hole
Kevin,
Thanks, I’ll definitely check out “Christian Morals”. I’m always on the lookout for inspirational quotes to share. And — I really do appreciate you taking the time to share all of this here.
Peace,
Lance
Hi Lance — I loved your photo .. and so pleased to hear you had such a wonderful time in Maine — just getting away from it all .. while pondering life and its meaning — nature has a wonderful way of enveloping us sometimes, when we allow it. That mist rising .. when everything is quiet and there is no wind to ripple the water, waiting calmly for the sun to rise and burn it away for another day .. clearing ones thoughts in the process .. I love your description.
I hadn’t heard of loon before — but a lovely name for a duck! Have a great day .. Hilary
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Hilary,
This is about my favorite photo from our vacation. It just feels so peace-filled. Maine (and really so much of the NE United States) is such a wonderful place to visit.
Being on this lake, for me, was the highlight of our time away. Deeply good moments…the whole time…
And the loons…beautiful creatures!!
Much peace,
Lance
Lance, I am late here, and feel I have missed much beauty. But then that is what your words are about. Finding the beauty in me, here, everywhere, always. Thank u, my friend for a poignant, incredible expression of Oneness. God bless you with light , peace and the giddiness of beauty –everywhere
Uzma,
You are not late at all…in fact, it’s just great having you here!
And, thank you so much for your wonderfully kind words…they mean much to me.
Much peace to you,
Lance
This blog gives invites readers to experience the gift of fearlessness. They feel safe and uplifted in your presence. Letting things and people just be as they are, without judging, these are true acts of kindness.
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Liara,
It’s so interesting that you mention “fearlessness”, as that is not something I had thought about with this post. And yet, what you share — and as I read the words again today — I do feel that safety that you mention.
If I can truly act from a place that is free from judgment, what a wonderful place to be.
So know that all your words here hold dear and special meaning to me. And your presence, as well, in this space provide deep introspection always…for me…
Much peace,
Lance
Hi. It’s a nice share from you. And not to mention, the photo of the lake was nicely taken. And uhm, a little bit creepy? But still nice thou!
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