Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

  • Home
  • About
  • DISCLOSURES
    • Amazon Affiliate
    • Book Reviews
  • Published
  • Contact
  • Blog
    • Commit Poetry
    • Dared

still saturday: pay attention

November 1, 2013 By Sandra Heska King

pay attention

click to enlarge

The truth is, we need more often to pay attention. And “pay” is the right word. Time and awareness, concentration and penetration are the price, the cost of seeing with both outer and inner eyes. The details are there for us to notice and appreciate. To ignore them or view them as trivial is to deny the providence of God.

When I was in New Zealand, hiking in the rain forest, I grew almost delirious with the joy of small things! My camera lens, with its zoom magnification, always helps me to consider closely what I might otherwise merely glance at and move on from . . . My need was to stop, be still, focus, become aware, pay attention–to let speak the microcosm, the world of negligible, unnoticed things. How powerfully God can speak to us all through the ordinary, which can reach us all if we pay attention . . . The magnifying lens of careful scrutiny brings a continual stream of unnoticed beauty into focus for the eye of faith.

~Luci Shaw in Water my Soul: Cultivating the Interior Life

bubbles

Stilled and cultivating,

Sandy

Welcome to Still Saturday where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and words. We’d love for you to join us. Get the details on the left, grab your favorite button, and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to gaze long and drink deep.



Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: stories and reflections

Comments

  1. Healed By His Wounds says

    November 1, 2013 at 10:16 pm

    “The eye of faith…” A beautiful phrase and passage, and how true. What peace, joy, and wonder to be found in those still moments with a camera, I’m discovering. And the beauty that’s revealed: I once heard it described by a nature photographer as “the surest sign of God’s goodness.”

    Thank you for sharing, Sandra. I’ve been enjoying the link-ups over at Pollywog Creek the last few weeks (when I launched my blog for 31 Days!), so this is my first time joining in *here.* It’s a delightful community. My appreciation!

    God bless you,
    HBHW

    http://inthehandsofthehealer.blogspot.com

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 1, 2013 at 10:23 pm

      Welcome HBHW! I’m so glad you’re here. I, too, have found that my inner sight has much improved with an outer lens.

  2. Lyli @ 3-D Lessons for Life says

    November 1, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    Welcome back, Sandy 🙂

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 2, 2013 at 5:42 pm

      It’s good to be back, my friend. So good.

  3. Dayle says

    November 2, 2013 at 3:13 am

    Just found your lovely blog. I’m a firm believer that stillness, spending alone time, nurturing a quiet mind … all of these things are not only beneficial to us, but necessary for a balanced life.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 3, 2013 at 8:37 pm

      I’m so glad you’re here, Dayle! I hope you find some time to be still during this week.

  4. Amy Jung says

    November 2, 2013 at 7:27 am

    This is so true…I find I am moved inwardly as I look more intently outwardly. Usually that happens with my camera! Blessings to you…I hope you had much rest in some silence this past month.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 2, 2013 at 5:44 pm

      I could never have imagined what my camera lens would have done for my heart lens. I heard much in the silence. Bless you, Amy.

  5. Patricia @ Pollywog Creek says

    November 2, 2013 at 8:00 am

    You and Luci Shaw – kindred spirits. Much love to you, dearest Sandra. So, so thrilled you are back! xox

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 2, 2013 at 5:46 pm

      I love Luci! Kind of thinking you and she could be kindred spirits, too. 🙂

      So grateful for you, my friend. Thank you again and again. xo

  6. Kris Camealy says

    November 2, 2013 at 8:05 am

    Oh lady, I missed you. Welcome back… 🙂

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 2, 2013 at 5:52 pm

      Oh, Kris. You are such an inspiration. I remember that you take an every seventh-week break, don’t you? Is that just from the blog or all social media? Because I think there might be something to that. Maybe next year I should take off July–the seventh month. 🙂 Although there was something deep about doing it during autumn and especially during the month when others were spilling so many filling words. I was able to read more than I would have had I also been writing–but less than I thought I would. It was humbling to step back when I wanted to be part of the action.

  7. Sheila Seiler Lagrand says

    November 2, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    Such beauty. Creation’s beauty. Luci’s beauty. Your beauty.

    So grateful for you.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 2, 2013 at 5:53 pm

      I am so grateful for you, too, Sheila. So grateful.

  8. HisFireFly says

    November 3, 2013 at 12:00 am

    So happy to have you back!
    Sorry, it seems my link posted twice… odd indeed

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 3, 2013 at 8:38 pm

      Glad to be back! And linked twice? Double wonderful. 🙂

  9. Elizabeth says

    November 3, 2013 at 1:21 am

    Welcome back! We missed you!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 3, 2013 at 8:38 pm

      Thank you, friend!

  10. Maureen says

    November 3, 2013 at 10:50 am

    Welcome back Sandy! Love this quote – the idea of magnifying the Lord, seeing the tiny unnoticed details. Rich.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 3, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      I like that twist… how when we use our lens to magnify the details, we magnify him.

  11. Nina says

    November 3, 2013 at 11:27 am

    Welcome back Sandy! The quote and the metaphor of a camera lens optimizing our focus speaks to me …. I enjoyed greatly reading your last post about your month of silence / blog break, and the links you’ve shared your thoughts!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 3, 2013 at 8:45 pm

      Thanks so much, Nina. It’s so good to be back. Looks like we’re both talking about details today. 🙂

  12. Laurie Collett says

    November 3, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    God’s attention to the smallest detail amazes me — such beauty from the design of a single cell to vast galaxies. Thanks for the beautiful post & for hosting & God bless.

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 3, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      Nothing but amazing!

  13. bluecottonmemory says

    November 3, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    When I pay attention – I do give so much more – focusing like that zoom lense – and even though I’m “paying” – oh, what I get in return is priceless! I So. Love. Your. Thought!

    • Sandra Heska King says

      November 5, 2013 at 11:59 am

      Priceless, yes. Whatever the cost.

Trackbacks

  1. Weekend Reflection: Clothed with Splendor says:
    November 2, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    […] weekend. Around here we remove our shoes and tour the stillness. Start with Sandra Heska King’s Still Saturday.  You’ll join us, yes? We’ve saved you a […]

  2. Trees and Ents | Health & Home & Heritage says:
    November 2, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    […] with Still Saturday, the Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays and Faithful […]

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Meet Sandra

I’m Sandra, a camera-toting, recovering doer who’s learning to be. still. Read more…

Get updates from the stillness by email

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Archives

Categories

Instagram Inspiration

sandraheskaking

A tale of two iguanas... I did not see the iguana A tale of two iguanas... I did not see the iguana in the background until I downloaded the photos. That, I believe, is the one that got caught in one of the openings in the neighbor's chain link fence. We tried in several (safe) ways to dislodge it without luck and could think of no other option but to leave it. Somehow it apparently dislodged itself. We also believe this is the pair that was getting into another neighbor's garden. We haven't seen either one since the last cold snap, so we are wondering if they survived. 
🌱
Thinking some may have tumbled from their perches last night. Pretty sure it will be raining iguanas tonight since we are under a frost advisory. It's cold. And windy.
Just sing... sing a song... Singing our way into Just sing... sing a song... 

Singing our way into the weekend.
"We don't just see. We learn to see." ~ Russ Ramse "We don't just see. We learn to see." ~ Russ Ramsey in Rembrandt is in the Wind
Now you see me... now you don't. Now you see me... now you don't.
"I started looking and listening. I realized that "I started looking and listening. I realized that work, like life, is shot through with poetry. It was everywhere. I was so taken with what I discovered that I wrote a book about it." @gyoung9751 
🌱
Whether you work in an office, a retail store, a restaurant, or at home... Whether you work on roads or on power lines, or on high buildings...Whether you collect trash or preach sermons, or care for your kiddos. Whether you do art, or weave words, or take photos of a common gallinule AKA moorhen AKA swamp chicken--it's all shot through with poetry.
🌱
So pay attention. Find a poem.
🌱
Read more at https://www.tweetspeakpoetry.com/2023/01/10/its-poetry-at-work-day-2023/
Rising… Rising…
Everyone needs a little balance in life. And maybe Everyone needs a little balance in life. And maybe a beauty routine. And breakfast. Especially breakfast. I wonder if it consists of a few fire ants. I hope so. (Well, not mine. I'm having oatmeal with chia seeds. What are you having this morning?)
🌱
P.S. Happy Friday!
"Though your destination is not yet clear You can "Though your destination is not yet clear You can trust the promise of this opening; Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning That is at one with your life's desire." ~John O'Donohue 
🌿
A blessing for a new beginning in a new year. I'm sure he wrote it especially for me. At least I'm claiming it. Maybe it will speak to you, too.
🌿
Also, I'd really like this skirt --> 
🌿
Read the whole poem--> -->
🌿
Well, bummer... The whole page didn't print. Read it in the comments below.
"What precocity, a bird half the size Of an Anjou "What precocity, a bird half the size
Of an Anjou pear." ~ Stephen Kuusisto in "The Mockingbird on Central" (Find it in The Poets Guide to the Birds edited by Judith Kitchen and Ted Kooser)
🌱
"The morning pages are the primary tool of creative recovery." ~ Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way. 
🌱
I've been in a long creative drought, so I started morning pages--again. This time I've got a bit of an accountability group through @refineretreat's Refinery--which I finally also joined this year. I'll turn 74 this month. I'm not ready to grow old while I age--though everything does seem to take longer while time goes by faster.
🌱
#aweandwonder #tsaweandwonder
Tonight’s walk in the neighborhood. I’m still Tonight’s walk in the neighborhood. I’m still kinda amazed that out of all the places we could have ended up after moving from a place I said I’d never move from), here we are—planted right next to the northern Everglades. Six-plus years, and I still shake my head in wonder.
"So fancy is the world..." ~ Mary Oliver in "This "So fancy is the world..." ~ Mary Oliver in "This World." #aweandwonder #tsaweandwonder
Look, Mom! I can walk on water! #aweandwonder #tsa Look, Mom! I can walk on water! #aweandwonder #tsaweandwonder
Gazing into 2023 like… Let’s take it step by Gazing into 2023 like… 
Let’s take it step by step with hope and courage. Also I hope to be posting again more often.
🎉
Happy New Year!
The morning before the last morning of 2022. 🌴 The morning before the last morning of 2022. 
🌴
71 degrees. Heading to 83. I can live with that.
From the top of Brasstown Bald—the highest point From the top of Brasstown Bald—the highest point in Georgia at 4784 feet.
Winding roads… Winding roads…
Tonight's moon. It's kinda okay. Tonight's moon. It's kinda okay.
Don’t mind me. Just storking by. Don’t mind me. Just storking by.
I’ve gotten several messages asking if things we I’ve gotten several messages asking if things were okay. Yes. I’ve recovered after 3 weeks in Covid jail. Also, I’ve been a bit scarce on social cuz we’ve been finishing up house renovations, and there is SO much that now needs to be cleaned and stuff put away. Also, we’ve had the second oldest grand with us for two weeks. I “should have” at least shared some stories about our adventures, but we’ve relished the time and kept busy. One can’t leave South Florida without a gator encounter, though, right? Tomorrow the two of us fly back to Michigan, and then I will spend a week with my sister where I expect I will be put to work in the chicken house and the gardens and become a glad(iola) roadside proprietor for a day at the Four Star in while she and my BIL attend a family reunion. I’ll also get to see my dad in the nursing home and spend a couple nights with my daughter. D will hold down the fort here. Then maybe by the first of next month, I’ll be able to finish putting things in order, breathe, find some writing space and get back to normal. Whatever that is.
I tossed and turned all night. And then the storm I tossed and turned all night. And then the storm started. I finally got up about 5ish and sat outside to watch. Until a couple mosquitoes found me. Also, the jasmine hadn’t gone to bed yet and smelled heavenly.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Get the Mug

Embrace the life you have t s poetry mug

Privacy Policy

Full privacy policy is available HERE.

I Read Light

TSP-Red button

bibledude-net



Sponsor a Child

Join the Compassion Blogger Network

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2023 Sandra Heska King · Site by The Willingham Enterprise, LLC on the Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Log in