People often ask me what I mean by “a spiritual life.” It’s a good question, much more interesting than “JON, How ARE You?”

To me, Spirituality emphasizes quietness, reflection, and self-observation. It is a way of learning who I am, what I wish to be, and how I can bring some good for others into my life.

Practices like meditation, prayer, contemplation, or self-awareness, are a pa  of it.  It is helping me help quiet the ego, process emotions, and foster a state of presence rather than constant reactivity.

Spirituality is also about learning to be happy and loving other people rather than jus  myself. I am trying to see the dignity in every other human being, let go of grudges, and recognize my own flaws and limitations. With such a cruel world swirling around, it is ever more important to me.

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Above Photo: Zip, Kind of the farm, met his match the smorning. The big hen backed him down in a brief stare. This is a rare sight at Bedlam Farm. When she got close, Zip ran onto the porch and into Maria’s lap.

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Speaking of spirituality, I came outside this morning  to take my pictures  – it was rain and thunder – and found Maria and Zip in peaceful meditaton, an important part of our lives.

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I love the open sky, and would hate to live without it.

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The first thing I look at when I go outside are the Green Mountains of Vermont, they tell me what the weather is about to be.

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The thunder storm was loud and there were lots of lightning strikes. Then it began to quiet.