CHRISTMAS WINDOWS

Tuesday I took a trip to Nevada City and as usual, had my camera with me. The windows at the stores were all decorated to reflect what the inside of the stores had to offer, which is appropriate. This Buddha sat outside the window and I loved how his heart was glowing with what appeared to be some sort of gold. Nevada City is located in The Gold Country. Instead of lotus flowers he was surrounded by poinsettias. I don't think that he minded.

A tea ceremony with offerings of nature in another window.

Pretty in pink.

The windows of J. J. Jackson displayed quite modern Christmas trees, don't you think?

Christmas to me is a time that we can reflect on what we are missing, what we need to improve, what we can do to help, and what we have to offer. It is a time to assess our possibilities.

I see metaphors to life in these windows. Not only do they reflect the inside but they also reflect the outside. They are mirrors of sorts. Transparent, yes, but still mirrors. Sometimes the image we see is a little blurred and not easy to make out but if we look harder we can see what is really there. It is not always crystal clear to us what we are supposed to do but if we arrange our window properly, display our best items for all the world to see, we have a better chance of getting along with the outer world. What can we measure and hold?

Like these windows we all have our own style. Some of us are a bit more flamboyant, some of us are subdued. The windows showcase a sampling of what we have inside of us. They are saying to the outside world: look at me... I have this I'd like to show you if you will just come inside and check me out. These windows entice, they grab your attention, they pique your curiosity.

These windows are composed of many parts that make up a whole (or complete) look. But these windows are just scratching the surface. There is so much more to see inside. Is it all about the material things that are placed in the windows or is there a deeper essence at the source? You be the judge.

These windows give me a chance to ponder things at a deeper level, to try and understand that I am a part of a whole. I am a window to the world. I read a great quote by Eric Butterworth that says: "...the you that transcends the body is a time-space parenthesis in the universal dimension of eternity." Isn't that a great way to look at us? A parenthesis in the universal dimension of eternity! What a remarkable statement.