Sitting here now, the image of the open hand with bird came to mind as the words “giving and receiving” arrived in my awareness.

The first question, “What do you see: giving or receiving?”
I thought of the open hand, the bird’s wings. It seems to be giving, but then I realized on a second glance it could also be receiving. The first glance sees “giving,” and the second glance sees “receiving.” Time seems to make the difference in what I see. The photo may capture one aspect, but the other is there too. What’s important to recognize is the exchange—the dynamic movement. It is both, giving and receiving, the unceasing exchange of energy.

Eyes skim the surface of the photo, and the mind may only capture one moment of exchange, but it doesn’t indicate that’s all there ever was. There have been cycles of exchange to get to that one moment, and some of the movements are known and others unknown. There is the seen and the unseen.

In this abundance of time during, there is time to see the surface and then to look deeper. How does the picture change and expand? Granted there are elements I may not want to see, but does that mean to dismiss them? What if I take a gentle exploration into this life? I am answering that question by living my life. That I know to be true. Doing the best I can do with what I have in front of me—both known and unknown, seen and unseen. A gentle exploration with The Mystery…

Today, I remember the questions noted in the journal from my 2014 Advent journey:

It is Epiphany. The star of wonder.
The wise men offered gifts. The cycle of receiving and giving is always in motion. Be aware of the subtleties of the exchange.
What do you receive?
What do you give?
Do you freely offer your presence? Does it come at a price?
The gift of presence.
The gift of light.
The gift of love.
What could be created with such gifts: presence, light and love?
Your life answers the question.