American PGA golfer Walter Hagen said, “Don’t hurry.  Don’t worry.  You’re only here for a short visit.  So don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.”  What a famous phrase bandied about our vernacular and I’ve never known who said it.  But I think it is so true!  We are all so hurried in our lives and “busy” we do not slow down to enjoy life’s true pleasures God has given us.  I took this picture from our yard because it tickled me that of course St. Francis of Assisi — even in stone — would find a way to stop and smell the roses.  How very fitting for a man who once preached a sermon to the birds and who is rightfully regarded as the patron saint of the environment and animals.  I have written several times about smell.  I believe it is the sense that is taken for granted most out of the five commonly accepted senses humans have.  We actively stop on our daily walks and literally smell whatever has perfume … whether it is a magnolia tree, a rose bush, wisteria, or wild honeysuckle.  I notice the wolfies never fail to stop and smell.  I think we could learn so much more from our four-legged brethren.  That is something I believe St. Francis of Assisi tried to do and Native Americans have done since the beginning of time.  I believe in Spirit Animals and I do not believe it in any way contradicts Christ’s teachings.  It is simply a way to admire and adapt to traits in which one gravitates to in animals.  I was always slightly freaked out that my husband was drawn to ravens.  It’s so deep I believe that deserves a post all on its own.  But suffice to say the raven and the wolf (my spirit animal) go together.  My mother lived a long life and always loved turtles; for my daddy it was the mighty buffalo.  So as you go about your day do not neglect the beauty the Creator has placed before you.  I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns growing up:

For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony,
linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For thy church, that evermore
lifteth holy hands above,
offering up on every shore
her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For thyself, best Gift Divine,
to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine,
peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

Achukma hoke.