“The true inner self must be drawn up like a jewel from the bottom of the sea, rescued from confusion, from indistinction, from immersion in the common, the nondescript, the trivial, the sordid, the evanescent.” - Thomas Merton (1915-1968), Seeds of Contemplation [Image: Deep Inside oil painting on canvas by Romanian visual artist Dorina Costras.]

Credit: Truth Theory (Facebook) "The UK government has dropped plans to make a digital ID mandatory, especially for proving the right to work, after criticism and public concern. However, this does not mean digital ID has been cancelled altogether — the system is still planned as a voluntary option, to be used alongside traditional documents like passports. So it’s a rollback of compulsory use, not a complete abandonment of digital ID."

Under the anger, under the fear, under the despair, under the broken-heartedness, there is a radiance that has never been harmed, that has never been lost, that is the truth of who one is. ~ Gangaji [Art: Era Leisner]

"The painter and the painter contemplating his painting are not the same man." - Joan Miro

“The best thing for being sad,” replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, “is to learn something. That’s the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.” ― T.H. White, The Once and Future King

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!!

Credit: Tao and Zen (Facebook) 🐴 HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🐎🔥 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse (火马年) or Red Horse Year (赤马年 ) in the Chinese Zodiac, a rare occurrence that happens only once every 60 years. Double Fire: In Chinese metaphysics, the Horse belongs to the Fire (火) group, so 2026 adds double strength to the year’s governing element, leading to a "Yang Fire" year (丙午) with massive transformative momentum. What seems like chaos shifts into greater coherence, as old cultural patterns, habits and limited thinking breaks apart and new creative forces gain power. Key Symbolism: The combination of the Horse sign and the Fire element creates an exceptionally high-energy year of dynamic change. The Horse naturally symbolizes vitality and independence, while the Fire element adds intensity and drive. People and events in previous Fire Horse years such as 1906 and 1966 helped launch lasting periods of cultural transformation and technological innovation, greater freedom, new perspectives, collaboration and independent thinking. It was during these time periods that the world changed in meaningful and revolutionary ways. Duration: The Year of the Fire Horse officially begins on February 17, 2026, and ends on February 5, 2027. Zodiac Symbol: The Chinese character for Horse is 马 (Simplified) or 馬 (Traditional). The Fire Horse signifies a time for creative ambition, adventure, growth, and taking synchronized action, encouraging us to move quickly in unison with others, to be enthusiastic, adaptable, and pursue new opportunities with strength and determination, breaking free from limitations. 🙏💕 Painting by Kristin Darnell-Kreger

'The most beautiful gift of this wintertime is ultimately something that is unspeakable; it is only livable. The winter is actually begging you to just let go, and then let go of letting go. Let this natural and spontaneous returning to the root of your own existence happen. Return to that which is not definable' Adyashanti Illustration by Jo Grundy

"What feels like emptiness is often spaciousness learning how to be lived." ~Eckhart Tolle (Art by 'Laura Majabresku')

Solstice Here’s to all of you who had a terrible solstice, who’ve had enough of the dark and who need respite, who didn’t have time or energy or the will for any kind of ‘sacredness,’ who had to put one foot in front of the other through arduous territory or numbed hours. There’s no good news on the horizon and no saviour coming. But... You’re alive, this is a ride, you’re doing so well in difficult times and somewhere, somewhen, the light will return. Keep on, even if it feels unbearable. The hours do pass, and – however slowly – so do the days. Keep the faith. ~ Tom Hirons @bearspeakstothestars [Art: Andrew Ferez]

In 2005, I achieved this shot by filling my model's satchel with frozen fish sticks. --wishing you all a joyful, peaceful holiday season

Wishing you all a Peaceful, Merry Winter Solstice!