Category Archives: Viva!

Spoonbill by Beth Reynolds

The aptly-named Roseate Spoonbill is one of Florida’s most distinctive wading birds. Spoonbills feed on fish, crustaceans and aquatic insects with its unusual spatulate bill. Spoonbills nest at several sites throughout the state, but can be found almost at any coastal wetland around the peninsula. The Tampa Bay area is one of the best regions in the state to observe them, where approximately 15% of the population nests.

via Flickr http://flic.kr/p/AbtP2b

anisie-piece: midnight-sun-rising: sophisticantsophia: pregnan…

anisie-piece:midnight-sun-rising:sophisticantsophia:pregnantparentingprochoice:“When I was pregnant, patients often asked me if it was hard/weird to do their abortion.My response was simple, ‘Not at all. It is not the right time for you, but it is for me. Later on, if you decide to become a parent, I will be by your side then too.’”Pratima Gupta, MD, MPHThat’s beautiful ☺YES. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. AND SHE’S A DOCTOR OF COLOR. YES.

Realize You are the Earth – Thich Nhat Hanh

Creative by Nature

“We need a real awakening, enlightenment, to change our way of thinking and seeing things. To breathe in and be aware of your body and look deeply into it, realise you are the Earth and your consciousness is also the consciousness of the Earth.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

thich-Nhat-Hanh-flower

“You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer. In that kind of relationship you have enough love, strength and awakening in order to change your life.

Fear, separation, hate and anger come from the wrong view that you and the Earth are two separate entities, that the Earth is only the environment. That is a dualistic way of seeing.

10513455_502706996526907_5936773499849797750_nSo to breathe in and be aware of your body…

View original post 542 more words

Jimmy Carter: A Five-Nation Plan to End the Syrian Crisis – The New York Times

Iran outlined a general four-point sequence several months ago, consisting of a cease-fire, formation of a unity government, constitutional reforms and elections. Working through the United Nations Security Council and utilizing a five-nation proposal, some mechanism could be found to implement these goals.The involvement of Russia and Iran is essential. Mr. Assad’s only concession in four years of war was giving up chemical weapons, and he did so only under pressure from Russia and Iran. Similarly, he will not end the war by accepting concessions imposed by the West, but is likely to do so if urged by his allies.Mr. Assad’s governing authority could then be ended in an orderly process, an acceptable government established in Syria, and a concerted effort could then be made to stamp out the threat of the Islamic State.The needed concessions are not from the combatants in Syria, but from the proud nations that claim to want peace but refuse to cooperate with one another.

Source: Jimmy Carter: A Five-Nation Plan to End the Syrian Crisis – The New York Times