A book that changed my life years ago
is “Illusions” by Richard Bach. It still
has an honoured place on the special shelf
near my bed.
I will not tire you with the exact events now
but time and time again a quote from this book
will come to mind. So it was a few days ago.
The quote is: ‘You are led
through your lifetime
by the inner learning creature,
the playful spiritual being
that is your real self.’
Inner gps
I lead you, I am your inner GPS,
yes, it is a steep hill ahead
and yes, there is a narrow ledge too.
You will be frightened at times.
Unexpectedly you reach a plateau
and in front of you is spread
beauty overwhelming and immense.
Valleys, river, woodlands and fields
in hues only music can convey.
you will want to run and sing.
To dance, to sit and dream
maybe swim.
Clamour around will try to own you,
to confuse who is really you and true.
Fearing your inner playful soul,
wanting you to cling with them
to customs, safety and rules,
with no singing brooks
no smiles and laughs.
© miriam ivarson
Photos by Miriam Ivarson
My Window 
This is beautifully written and very meaningful, Miriam. A lovely poem.
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Thank you Robbie for your wonderful comment.
I am glad you found the words meaningful.
miriam
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What a beautiful quote and your words reflect an inner journey of wonder. Beautifully written Miriam.
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Thank you, Miriam, for your lovely and thoughtful comment.
You are right, we are all on an inner journey of wonder once we see it
and dare. 🤗 .
Miriam
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Yes, we certainly are. Enjoy your weekend. ❤️
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Oh my. This poem just spoke to me. Thanks for those words. Perfect in every way. xo
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Darlene, a warm thank you for your heartwarming words.
To have written a poem that speaks to you in many ways makes
writing enriching.
Miriam
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Gorgeous, Miriam. I love the sentiment behind this. 🙂
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Thank you, Jennifer, for your lovely and warming comment.
It is great that you can feel what has driven my words.
Miriam
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Richard Bach’s books touched me too and it might be time to revisit this classic. Thanks for the lovely quote, reminder, poem, and photos Miriam.
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Thank you, Brad, for your lovely comment. I am not surprised that you liked his books too. I have some books handy that I know will give me courage and light. You can dip in for a bit and leave a thought within.
You re-visit this book. 🙂
Miriam
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Yes, I have a small collection of books I treasure too.
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Playing in the woods is what I do best, Miriam! 🙂 Thanks for your lovely thoughts. –Curt
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Indeed Curt, how many places haven’t I seen through your tales and pictures. I do love being out in nature too but don’t do as long hikes.
Thank you for your inspiring comment.
Miriam
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Lots of ways to enjoy it, Miriam. Long hikes are only one. 🙂
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Well observed Miriam, we should all pay attention to our inner GPS more!
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Thank you Andrea, I so agree with you. By thinking more about events
I did notice that every time I followed my intuitive feeling the result ended
positive. Maybe there is a happy medium?
Miriam
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I remember that book! Thank you for the reminder — and for your beautiful, provocative and evocative poem.
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Thanks Louise for your appreciative comment. I hadn’t seen that the poem could be all this. 🙂
I am glad you remember illusions. It came to me at a troubled time, given by
a friend who must have known me better than I guessed.
Miriam
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I can see it’s rewarding to be released in this way.
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Thank you, Ken, for your interesting comment. I was thinking it would
be very emotionally and spiritually rewarding. Maybe not economically ….
Miriam
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Real self is indeed amazing and the moment we meet that self, it leads us to an exhilarating journey… it nudges aside fear, as you have rightly pointed out Miriam. You have captured that moment of freedom so well! No confusion for me, only smiles and laughs – I know that moment. 🙂 Thank you for giving it a voice dear friend.
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Thank you, Balroop, for your beautiful comment.
I am very grateful if I gave voice to this moment of daring to let go and just be, be our true self. Follow what we feel is right – without fear.
I am glad you know this moment. 🌻.
Miriam
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Lovely, Miriam. ❤
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A warm thank you, Bette. 🤗 .
Miriam
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I read this wonderful book years ago! Your lovely quote, photos and words are very inspiring this rainy morning…
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I am glad that The quote from Illusions inspired you and am glad to be the
bearer of uplifting thoughts on a grey day.
The photos are views I love in three countries , no 1 is West Yorkshire in England, no 2 is from the Smokey Mountains in U.S, no 3 from a lake near my summer place in Sweden.
Thank you for commenting 😊.
Miriam
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My summer place in Sweden, now that sounds magical and next month I’ll be exploring London for the very first time, the Smokey Mountains look beautiful, will I ever be lucky enough to visit? Sigh…how lucky we are to live on this diverse planet!
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The idea of an inner GPS is beautiful. I will carry that thought for a long time.
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Thank you, Jaqui, I love your comment. It is great that you want to try the
idea. I warn you, it is powerful once you make it part of your decisions. 😘
Miriam
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I like that, the Inner GPS. I think mine needs an adjustment though! I’m hoping to be a more faithful reader: life has run away from me lately, I need to slow down and reflect, and poetry is one answer. Hmmmm should add that to my wish list and stump my whole family!
Thank you Brigitte
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Brigitte, it is a delight to see you here again and I hope you are well.
I am sure your inner GPS is fine, it is the attention we give it. Slow down girl,
read, walk and yes, why not write poetry. Can’t wait to hear.
I would like to see the faces of your family with this dramatic change in your
very active self.
What about starting with one of your wonderful photos coupled with a ‘Haiku’
poem. 🤗.
Thank you for your comment
Miriam
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I will read this book too-thank you
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Thank you for your comment. I am really pleased if I can inspire you to
read this like a good friend once inspired me.
Miriam
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Very nice meeting of what may seem like far off concepts but they mat rather well…..gps and the inner lite…………
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Thank you, Jeff, for your nice comment. GPS is indeed a relatively new way of guiding us along the roads. Intuition we are born with and is a guiding system that will almost always prove right – if we listen.
Miriam
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You remind me to be thankful for the freedom to follow my inner gps more now that I’m “retired.”. It seems that during the first part of my life I followed the “inner learning creature.” Now, I have more time with “the playful spiritual being,” who has been there all along.
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Thank you, Jo-Anna, for your lovely and happy comment.
What if they are all the same – the inner learning creature, the inner gps, your intuition. 🎶🦋.
Miriam
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Yes, all parts of the same. That rings true! ❤
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Beautiful poem, Miriam and I love the idea of our inner GPS … we all have one but it is thwarted on a daily basis. Maybe we need to turn up the volume for directions, drown out the clamour of all else. A playful idea with a very serious message for us all, for the decisions and directions we take in life! Your photos are captivating and the mist swirling on the mountains is ethereal. Hope you’re having a lovely week, Miriam! 😀🌺🦋
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Annika, thank you for your wonderful and deeply felt comment. Turning up the volume…, now I am smiling. That might work as our – oh, so clever brain –
will tell us exactly how and when quite frequently.
I am glad you like the photos and that Smokey Mountains captured you.
Have a wonderful week and weekend.🤗 .
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yours, a welcoming
navigation, miriam 🙂
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Thank you, David.
Hope the navigation works.😊
miriam
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My husband loved Richard Bach’s books back in the day. Loved your reflections on Illusions. 💕
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Thank you for commenting, Bela. Your husband must have been a spiritual thinking man.
The quote from Illusions sparked the poem I then wrote but was not about the book.
Reading my own poem I see that the last stanza ties up with the beginning of Richard’s book. 💕 .
miriam
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Yes, Chris is a spiritual thinking man, as you say. And I knew the quote was only a prompt. You did well with it though! 💜
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Beautiful, Miriam! And those pictures call to my inner direction finder–those are the places where I feel most at home, in Nature with an awesome view.
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Thank you, Julie, your comment makes me happy. Views like these help
my direction finder too. Nature has this stillness and strength that we all need to drink in between our forays elsewhere.😊
Miriam
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I loved your poem, Miriam. It paid such a great compliment to your piece by Richard Bach. I too believe there is a part of oneself that is the real spiritual you.
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Daniel, thank your unfortunately your wonderful comment. I am sorry I didn’t see it until now. I am glad that we share the belief that we are guided by our inner spiritual self.
miriam
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