This is another drawing made during a visit to Belinda’s retreat center in Mt. Shasta. The drawing was inspired not only by this flower that was growing by the water’s edge but also by the river and the clouds passing overhead. They all seemed to have the same message about impermanence - we and our surroundings are all changing in each moment we live. Nothing stays the same.

Compared to the clouds and river, this iris felt more “permanent” though I knew that in a few days or so, even this flower would probably lose its petals and start to fade away. Did that make it even more precious that I could witness it blooming?

In many ways, I think art in its various forms - drawing, music, writing, whatever form of expression you choose - tries to capture those precious moments like a snapshot.  

I think we know each of the seemingly mundane moments in life is precious. We just get busy or stressed or distracted and sometimes forget.  I think that’s partly why I love the work Belinda and Omar are doing on gratitude because I think they are trying to create new ways for us to remember how precious each moment we have here is.