Pikopiko

At the beginning of this new year, I am reminded of the Maori tradition of the 'fertility' and energy represented by the fiddlehead of a newly developing fern frond - ie.  the "fiddlehead".  The entire plant develops from this tightly packaged mass of tissue that will unfurl to become a twenty foot tall ponga fern frond!  This photo is of a Pikopiko that is about the size of a dinner plate.  There is anticipation and prophecy in the symmetry of this frond.  As in the beginning of this new year, it is difficult to see what will develop, but I am excited and encouraged at the possibilities of what will unroll as the days progress.  Again, I'm blessed to witness the magic of natural order and the beauty in the geometry of life.  Thank you Father.

1st of January

"I want to be...do...become in 2013. To be fully there in love for others. To do things I have not done. To become a man of deeper faith and joy. There is only death to quitting or being the same. I want to reach beyond what there is and grasp what could be. The memories I participate in making for my kids, wife, friends and family this coming year only come around once...Father, fill me with the Spirit of resurrection this coming year! "

I hate to start this year with plagiarism, so I must give credit to my friend Reg Cox who penned these words.  However, they could have just as easily come from my lips ... I sat down to write a brief prayer to begin this year and as I opened my computer, found these words from Reg.  I claim this prayer for myself as well.

Having just finished watching the Trilogy of the Rings, I am reminded of how "precious" those things of this world often seem and that we often cannot see the forest for the trees!  What a magical world we live in ... and in the midst of the chaos, violence, and grief of this world ... I am reminded that I am a tree in a story about a forest.  And the story of the forest is more important than the story of the tree.

2013