Ahh, the constant ebb and flow of life.  Some days I feel like one of the characters from the book "Who Moved My Cheese?".  For those who haven't read it, it's a simple but creatively written parable that unveils profound truths about change.  It is an amusing and enlightening story of two mice named Sniff and Scurry and two little people-beings the size of mice named Hem and Haw.  They live in a maze and look for 'cheese' to nourish them and make them happy.  'Cheese' is a metaphor for what you want to have in life and 'The Maze' is where you look for what you want - the organization you work in, or the family or community you live in.  In the story, the characters are faced with unexpected change, which was dealt differently by each individual.  This book sums up the different ways people react to the inevitable changes of life.  I, for sure, can relate to every character in this story.  I've acted like Sniff who sniffs out change early; Scurry who doesn't pause and think but scurries into action, and Hem who denies and resists change for fear it might lead to something worse or who feels entitled to certain things in life.   Ultimately I'd like to be Haw who realizes and learns from the mistakes he made along the way, laughs about it and moves on so he can live a better and happier life.  

I recall reading this book to my boys when they were younger and hope that they remember to apply the unique insights this book has brought to many people, including me.    

Just like the characters mentioned in the book, all of us are forever running around looking for ways to survive in the 'maze' of this crazy world we live in.  Every waking day we are chasing after something,  whether it's a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, good health, or spiritual peace of mind.  But sometimes we are too busy focusing on the final destination, that we forget to enjoy the journey.   We forget to pause, listen and look for the beauty and signs that surround us.  I firmly believe in the power of silence.  It is during these moments when the loudest of answers come to us that can lead us to finding our 'cheese'.

With this said, I am sharing some photos I took during some days I'd taken off from work.  I invite you to hit the pause button of life and JUST BE.    

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(Thanks to my friend Tess for taking the photo below!) 

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Lots of love,

Effie