Gnarled Driftwood, Sand and Heart
Let us come alive to the splendor that is all around us and see the beauty in ordinary things. – Thomas Merton
Dear Friends,
What a month!! So full – so much to process – so little time or space. A war for no rational reason, run by completely incompetent mad men with no end in sight, only global economic instability and the very real threat of becoming nuclear. A heat wave bubbled up in many parts of the country, but there’s no global warming, right? The pace of change and chaos daily can be exhausting and destabilizing for the nervous system. And I don’t even watch the news!! Thankfully Spring Navaratri allowed for nine days and nights of inward reflection and quiet time, a break from the patriarchal manipulation of the outer world. Mother Nature also offered respite with hikes to witness her coming alive–baby rattlers, green-green fields and popping blossoms of brilliant color. Brother Andy and sister-in-law Cheryl visited at month’s end. We protested at a local NO KINGS rally, ate at Mexican, Irish and Laotian restaurants, and tagged another couple of beaches. We saw the ice plant bloom at Point Reyes National Seashore’s North Beach and sea lions and Tule Elk at Drakes Beach. During their visit I received the very unpleasant news of an unexpected tax bill that has me reeling. But before I even begin to deal with that, I’m heading East to celebrate my best friend’s retirement. Hopefully a change of scenery will give me a fresh perspective. I almost forgot the biggest news. Canada changed their immigration laws in December allowing for citizenship by descent. My maternal grandmother was born in Ontario in 1900, so my siblings and I are Canadian and are completing the paperwork for our citizenship certificates… then passports. Oooh Canada!! 🇨🇦 🇨🇦 🇨🇦 🇨🇦 🇨🇦
Click on these Beauty-as-Medicine images for larger view.
2026 Retreat & Workshop Dates
PhotoPlay for the Soul – June 10 @ChI Retreat, Santa Cruz, CA
The Seen and The Unseen – July 15 – 19 with Katrina Leathers in Maine
Coming Closer to the Divine Through the Elements – July 30 – Aug 2 @Upasana
Sisters of Upasana – Sept 2 – 6 @Upasana *Full
Celebrating Spirit’s Bounty – September 20 @CCC Tiburon
Retreat for Sonoma Ashram Sangha members – September 24 – 27 @Upasana
(Email me for more information)
Beauty-as-Medicine™ photo card decks for sale
Printed on deluxe 6×9 sturdy postcard stock with velvet finish, they feel lovely in the hand and are large enough to practice visual meditation and psycho-spiritual inquiry. An instruction card with prompts comes with each set. Email me if you’d like to experience Beauty-as-Medicine™ healing photography with me, or to order your own set of photo cards. $108 for each set, or $200 for both, shipped directly to you from the printer.
Beauty as Medicine™ Card Decks H&V web
Walking keeps me sane. Beauty heals. Nature Heals. Do what you can to keep your peace. Thank you for reading my musings and spending time with my photos. Feel free to send me comments and to share. If you, or anyone you know, are on a spiritual quest, celebrating a significant threshold or nearing end-of-life and need spiritual guidance or a healing ritual, please reach out. No AI was used to create this post.
Peace, love and blessings,
Rev. Lisa
Email: lisa@Ljwdivinesight.com
Spiritual Guide. Wise Woman.
Contemplative Photographer. Mystic.
Beauty-as-Medicine™ workshop creator.
Spirit-Infused Healing Photography Books at Blurb
“Photography is my love language. Teaching people to see Beauty-as-Medicine™ is my Ministry.” Rev. Lisa