I took this picture...

...on a wildflower hike in the Smoky Mountains about two and a half years ago. In its full perspective it is a huge granite boulder covered with moss. In some of the deeper crevices there are dirt deposits along with bits of dried leaves and pine needles. The particular crevice actually had another plant growing from it. I'm not the most enlightened person in the world. I do not claim to be in tune with all living things. I do not vibrate at a higher frequency than most. But I am blessed enough every, once in a while, to be aware of The Design and the evidence of its Architect. I don't know how other people acknowledge what they would consider a higher power, if they acknowledge one at all; it is not my place to ponder such personal things about others. I also do not critique, evaluate, or judge the method and means of their acknowledgment or lack thereof. I do know that for me it comes through in the spiritual practice of Islam.

I'm not a religious purist. I do not think "the path" is limited to just one practice. Most all beliefs have some level of validity and when practiced correctly play a tremendous role in shaping decent people with genuinely good intentions. When someone is highly tuned spiritually, they can see the Divine in a lot of things. In this boulder, I saw that even at its seemingly most disadvantageous something will always be provided to insure life can go on. If we stop looking for things we want when we think we lack and focus on things that we need, we will see that abundance is all around us. Once we can recognize the bounty available to us, we will see that there is never any reason to feel deprived. To quote the beautiful and profound Lauryn Hill: "What you want might make you cry/What you need might pass you by/If you don't catch it/And what you need ironically/Will turn out what you want to be/If you just let it." This is the last day of Ramadan and I've learned even more that in the time when I think I do not have, I still have plenty. I am always taken care of and provided for. I am humbled. I am thankful. I am.