View allAll Photos Tagged Devotion
The #MacroMondays #Wabi-sabi theme
If anybody were to graffiti an ancient church today, I'd be leading the calls for their exemplary punishment but 'twas not always the case. In days of yore it was perfectly acceptable to signal one's devotion by carving a design into the church fabric or to do a bit of personal art upon it.
That's what we have here. This graffiti of a cross on the entrance to my local church may be 1000 years old. Supporting that, there are other Christian graffiti on this (the left) side of the entrance while on the other there are quite different graffiti which appear very similar to pagan symbols. The distinct types are not mixed. It is as if early Christians had adopted the left side while Pagans (at least some of whom may have provided the muscle to build the church) had adopted the right. Paganism existed peacefully alongside Christianity for many years. I love the idea that both communities may have peacefully loved this one church alongside each other. Whatever, this mark is certainly very old and apart from a bit of algae evident on the left and some tiny spots under the 'A', it has lasted well. AL may be the devotee or perhaps another wishing to associate himself with the mark. If so AL was obviously literate, making himself one of the educationally most able and probably among the wealthiest of the community.
This is a multi shot focus stacked photo taken as shown using a 12mm extension tube with some processing to tease out the texture of the masonry.
HMM all.
Ruwanwelisaya Chedi is an elegant Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, close to the more famous Anuradhapura ruins. Around sunset the local crowd, all dressed white, gathers for the evening prayers.
The man in the frame was distant from the others and stood in silence with an absorbed expression. I didn't want to disturb him, so I took this shot instead, where his position in front of the white stupa stresses the sense of mystic isolation.
I asked one of the pilgrims about him, but I could only understand that he's a "very revered" man in the community. And that may be the case, as according to Schopenhauer "to be alone is the fate of all great souls".
Taipei ,Taiwan
in the temple
Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED
Exposure Program: Manual
F-Number: 2.8
Exposure: 0.01 sec (1/100)
ISO: 200
As a region in modern France, Lorraine consists of the four departments Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle and Vosges. Lorraine makes up nearly half of France's border with Germany, and also borders Belgium and Luxembourg.
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Rakher Upobash is a Hindu festival of lights, faith and devotion. It is also known as Kartik Brati. The festival is celebrated in the month of Kartik, which usually falls in November. Hindu worshipers fast and pray in the earnest to the Gods for their favors during the traditional ritual.
One year ago, in the early hours of the morning, Ukraine saw the end of a peaceful existence, and threat to end their existence as a sovereign nation entirely. Lone border guards were among the first casualties, as the tanks rolled in and the missiles were launched in what Putin had wagered to be a three-day conquest. I am so glad that Russia had quietly become a kleptocracy, and their delusions of success could not be realized against the impassioned and skilled Ukrainian people.
As I sit here contemplating the past year, I am reminded of the kindness of friends, family, and strangers alike who helped our early efforts to support the influx if refugees here in Bulgaria. And I thank those who continue to support our efforts in sending aid to Ukraine. My thankfulness extended to many of the world’s governments, who are stepping up send tanks and long-range weapons to Ukraine. Without this help, Russia would have quickly expanded it’s borders and would not have stopped.
With the bravery of the Ukrainian people, and also the International Legion of foreign soldiers, and all the humanitarian aid workers within the country, Ukraine is on a path to recovery everything. The vast majority of the population say that there should be no territory lost, and I agree. The world is at war with Russia via Ukraine, and Russia will lose.
A few days ago, Putin made a long-winded speech. A few days before that, Russia failed in test-launching a RS-28 Sarmat ICBM. I believe Putin had intended to highlight a successful launch in his speech. Instead, his words echoed the frustration of failures in the military in Ukraine. Those failures continue, with the most modest territorial gains costing many thousands of lives and countless military assets.
As Russia runs short of military resources, Iran and now China are allegedly providing aid. I wouldn’t be surprised if North Korea is doing the same. Allegiances are being made across the world, and Russian natural resources are no longer required by Europe. Just today, the US, Australia and New Zealand announced new sanctions against Russia. The world continues to isolate the once-powerful tyrant who now must rely on the few strong allies it has – all of them non-democratic despotic nations.
I am confident that Ukraine will never give up this fight, and it will end with the destabilization of the Russian Federation. Poland is willing to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, and the first Leopard 2 tanks have arrived on Ukrainian soil. Ukraine will win, that much is a certainty. There’s still a lot of unknowns, however. How long and how many lives will it take? What happens when Russia loses? Remember that China and Russia share a very large border… in a destabilized Russia, would a country like China simply respect all previous international borders? The world is at the largest potential turning point in my generation.
And maybe the world needs a turning point for the better - with the climate crisis and geopolitics, a whole and sovereign Ukraine is the keystone of the next phase of international cooperation. It’s proof that much of the world can come together for a common goal. Beyond borders, continents, language and religion, the world can become aligned with democracy. That’s a scary thought for the despots of the world, and as it should be.
This image is taken with a snowdrop flower, turned upside down (as the flower usually droops downward – in this image it’s facing up). This isn’t a water droplet, but rather a gel-based “water pearl” that absorbs water and maintains a spherical shape. Like a mini crystal ball, it refracts what is behind it – and also stays spherical at much larger sizes than a water droplet. I made a print of the Ukrainian Coat of Arms to place in behind. I dedicate this image to the Public Domain – use it for any purpose you wish, no constraints or obligations.
Слава україні. The only way to peace is through victory. Victory will only be possible because of the heroes fighting for it. Героям слава! May this year of fighting and sacrifice be seen by the world as a beacon of hope.
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Happy Mothers Day, mama.
Aku hanya kepingin kalian mengenangku
Tiada mana cinta harapkan wang ringgitmu.
Cinta hakiki luaran bonda ikat nadi seruan
Terus mengalir darah keturunan
Jangan anggap bonda mahu diratap jasa budi
Harap bonda agar imbas detik melahirkan
nyawa disipi mati
Biarku…engkar aurat, janji kalian dibaluti
Biarku…lupa fitrah santap, janji kalian diisi
Biarku…hilang teduhan, janji kalian dipayungi
Biarku…kosong di minda, janji kalian diasuhi
Biarku…dilarang rezeki Ilahi, janji kalian diberkati
Dengarilah rintihan sayup bonda minthali
Di pangkuan dapat mendakap, kini sekadar menanti.
Meraung, memanggil anakanda telah jauh pergi
Sampai bila pernantian si bonda kian akhir
Fikiran celaru gusir dek risau gelora
Rindu teramat menyuntik sembilu jiwa.
Sahutilah harapan insan sejati
Ciptaan suci persis salji
Lesap, terusir kasih kalian
Bonda harungi rintagan Tuhan
lambang hawa memikul maruah naluri
Bonda dinobat cinta, cinta kalian memadai
I sincerely apologize for the lack of translation of this poem I wrote in my native language, Malay. Its basically about a mother's devotion and is dedicated to all mums across the world. I'm sorry for the out of focus on this minute florals. Like mothers, they have flaws but they're still your mum no matter what.
Explored |May 10, 2009 #13
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Do not use, copy or edit any of my materials without my written permission.
Would appreciate not having large/animated multi invite codes
As might be expected, the attraction of a 'Deltic' making its presence known at York station was likely to be a big attraction, and the devotion to the Class 55 'Deltics' is as strong as it ever was, more than four decades since their demise on the ECML. Including the overall scene at York station, to include both fellow enthusiasts and an 'Azuma' in a contemporary scene, was one of my objectives for this visit. D9009/55009 (bearing the identity of erstwhile classmate 55013 'The Black Watch') stands at York station's platform 3 awaiting the right away, the UK Railtours' charter 'The Coronation Deltic' 1Z56 17:10 Scarborough to Finsbury Park on 19th August 2023. The additional headboard commemorated former 'Deltic' driver Harry Wilson, who celebrated his 100th birthday in May, when the charter train was originally to run, hence the its name. He was travelling on this train and the loco was renumbered and renamed in his honour, 55013 being his favourite 'Deltic' when he was an ECML 'top link' driver during his BR career.
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