“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it”. – Mary Oliver
Two weeks ago I went to the beautiful Lyndale Park Rose Garden next to Lake Harriet in Minneapolis to marvel at the beautiful spring flowers. Our summer so far has been temperamental. Wet, cool, thunderous and bursts of sunshine. Coincidently, the weather seems to have matched my mood. To tame the stirring inside my soul, I have began practicing mindfulness and the art of living in the now. To paying attention to the moment and not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It has immensely helped slow down my type-A personality who prefers to be moving all the time, whether at home or on the road.
Like the Rose Garden, I am amazed at the subtle transformation that just a few weeks can bring. Two weeks ago there were no roses in bloom and today it is a brilliant burst of life and color. Similar to my soul, the change of daily meditation and mindfulness has been immense. For that I am truly grateful.
Take a walk with me through the Rose Garden. Close your eyes for a moment and hear the song of the birds and breathe in the delicate fragrance of the roses.
“You can muffle the drum, and you can loosen the strings of the lyre – but who shall command the skylark not to sing?” – Kahil Gibran
“The real happiness of life is to enjoy the present, without any anxious dependence upon the future.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca
“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: We have the power to imagine better. – J. K. Rowling
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts”. – Rachel Carson 
“A weed is no more than a flower in disguise.” – James Russell Lowell
All shot with my iPhone 7 which I love and is always with me when I feel inspired.
This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Delta.
Luscious rose shots!
Thank you! 🙂
Seems like a perfect place to practice taking in the here and now. I am usually in need of a slow-down myself, and peaceful places like this can be just the ticket. A month or so ago, I started taking a stretching class twice a week, and that is fast becoming my mindfulness time; at first it seemed like a “waste” with no cardio, no muscle building, etc, but now I am appreciating it for the time it gives me to just “be.” I have to remember that gardens and flowers accomplish this, too, and try to seek more out here in Houston where they flourish like crazy!
Thanks Lexi! Yes seeking nature is so refreshing. It always is my muse and my way to settle down a bit. Would love to see some more posts on Houston. I really don’t know much about it (besides the airport that I travel through often when heading south!).
Good to know that my few Houston posts have not bored my well-traveled readers (at least you!). I’ll try to come up with some more stuff; it really has been a wonderful change of pace.
Not at all! I’d love to hear more about Houston Lexi!
Your rose shots are exquisite. I love my iPhone 7 camera too!
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoy them! 🙂
Beautiful photographs Nicole. And yes, presence always helps calm the soul.
Alison
Thanks Alison! 🙂
Beauties all and the quote by Mary Oliver is apt. Her nature writing is heartfelt and great storytelling.
Thanks Sally! 🙂
Gorgeous roses, Nicole. I love your composition choices and the second yellow close-up is painterly with great contrast and color. And, I love the ones that have some wilted petals. Great studies.
Thanks Jane! I had fun figuring out which angles to choose. I love flowers so much. They are so intricate and so beautiful. 🙂
Your photographs are absolutely lovely!
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the photos! 🙂
Holy smokes Nicole, I was wondering what lens you used until I got to the end of your post. Cannot believe these are Iphone shot, they’re amazing. Loved the quotes too, especially the first. And I see we shared one 🙂
Thanks Tina! I love this new phone. It takes pretty great pictures. Of course nothing like a macro lens on a good camera but since I am an amateur photographer the phone works great for me! 🙂 Yes we did share a quote. Great minds think alike! Enjoy Maine!
Beautiful pictures! Could look at them all day long! x
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Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the flowers!
They’re finally in bloom and the roses are gorgeous.
Yea I love them so much! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Sure. I love flowers. Have any pictures of Carnations?
No I don’t have any carnations!
☹☹ Well if you get any pictures of carnations you can bet I’ll look at them.
I have yet to find carnations growing in Minnesota but will be on the look out for them!
OK. Good Luck.
Hello Nicole,
A lovely journey through your thoughts on mindfulness using beautiful quotes. Such pristine flower captures too using your iPhone 7.
Hope your summer arrives very soon in earnest for you 🌝💐
Thanks Di! Summer is now here in full force! It is hot and I love it. Swimming at the lake, eating popsicles. It is wonderful! 🙂
Sounds great, Nicole 🌝🌹
I love the vivid pictures of the flowers.
Thank you! I love all the colors!