May 1 is the day that the Anderson Japanese Gardens, one of my very favorite places to spend time to nourish my soul, would normally open for their season. But, because of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, they are unable to open to the public at this time.

I regularly spend my days off at the Gardens, experiencing one of the deepest senses of peace that I ever experience. Earlier this week I spent time staying in a hermitage at the Portiuncula Center for Prayer in Frankfort, IL, and walking in the nearby woods. While I was there I wrote in my journal something that connected with my experience at the Anderson Japanese Gardens:

When I spend time in the woods or at the Anderson Japanese Gardens, I find myself marveling at the simplicity of creation. How it sings out with joy and wonder simply by existing. The trees, flowers, and plants aren't trying to "make their mark." They aren't trying to change anything. They simply exist - beautiful, gentle, and good.

As I get back to blogging, more often, I thought I might, at least occasionally, share a quote from the Tao Te Ching, a text that I often find helps me connect with the deepest, simplest, and most essential parts of my self and of all that is:

Express yourself completely, then keep quiet.
Be like the forces of nature: when it blows, there is only wind;
when it rains, there is only rain;
when the clouds pass, the sun shines through.
If you open yourself to the Tao,
you are at one with the Tao and you can embody it completely.
If you open yourself to insight, you are at one with insight and you can use it completely.
If you open yourself to loss, you are at one with loss and you can accept it completely.
Open yourself to the Tao, then trust your natural responses;
and everything will fall into place.
Translation: Stephen Mitchell, copyright 1988