While a place of peace and stillness is often known to exist, it can seem far off and the location of the gate leading to it may be unknown.
When the gate is finally found, it is more often humble and understated rather than elaborate and grand.
However sometimes the gate that one thinks leads to a particular place actually leads to another.
Yet if one is willing simply to experience the present as it exists, appreciate it for what it is rather than what it is not, and continue to follow the path, one will eventually discover another gate that was previously unseen and unknowable.
However even when reaching what might be perceived as a major milestone, failure to stop and look all around could lead to the missing of some subtle but highly evocative details.
As the path is not often straight, move forward slowly lest an incautious and unthinking step might result in a greatly undesirable result.
Trust that with continued persistence the goal one seeks can be found.
However remember that even one who has reached a place of peace and stillness is not free from the need to continue on a path that is just as uneven and sometimes as steep as it ever was.
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Location: Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon
Equipment: Canon 40D camera body, Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens
