The Circle of Life

Walking through the forest at Bechtel Park in a mid-August heat wave, I noticed many signs of stress and damage on the plants in the forest. 

I respectfully found a few items that seemed appropriate to use in the making of a mandala down by our worship spot along Laurel Creek. When I make mandalas, I like the simple, repetitive nature of the circular pattern. It feels complete and whole. I also like the ephemeral nature of them - it will succumb to the elements, or to disturbances by other creatures. It is a celebration of creation, decay, and decomposition. 

As I walked back to the parking lot, I reflected on how nothing in nature is wasted. Everything that comes into existence eventually returns to the earth, offering back nourishment for new life to arise again. The circle of life.

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