I Believe

"I believe in the sun even if it isn't shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when He is silent."

This quote was in an email I received today and I thought it was worth sharing.   The picture that came with the quote was of a statue in Iraq showing one of our soldiers mourning the loss of his comrades.  Let's remember, and pray for, our brave soldiers today as they fight for freedom.  It doesn't matter if you're a Republican or a Democrat or whether or not you support the war, the soldiers still need your prayers & your support.

At The Water Hole

"We return to old water holes for more than water, we return because friends and dreams are there to meet us."  An old African saying

Isn't it true that we return to places where friends and family members are there to greet us and to nourish our souls?   We need those connections in our lives, those ties that bind us to the past and give us strength to face the future. 

Now for a photo tip.  I used a Topaz plug-in to get the painterly look in this photo.  If you've never tried these plug-ins, they're a lot of fun and fairly inexpensive.  Just go to topaz.com and try the plug-ins free for 30 days.  If you like them, you can buy them after that.  If not, at least you'll have fun playing with them for awhile.

The Cathedral of Summer

"I walk without flinching through the cathedral of the summer.  My bank of wild grass is majestic & full of music.  It is a fire that solitude presses against my lips."  Violette Leduc (1907-1972), France

If you look hard enough, you can find beauty almost everywhere.  All you have to do is look at the world through the eyes of a child, because children see beauty and wonder in the simplest things.  So, try to find that child-like quality  in yourself when you look at the world.  It will look like a better place if you do.

A Better World

Have you improved someone's day today?  Have you made someone's life a little brighter? Have you made someone feel important?  Think how much better the world would be if each of us tried to do that each day.  You may be thinking "I don't have time." or "I don't know what to do."  Well, if you think about it, you probably have a friend or family member who would appreciate it if you spent 5 minutes talking to them on the phone or stopped by for a short visit.  Or perhaps the checker at the grocery store would feel better if you just smiled at her.  If someone is having a bad day, something as simple as a smile or a kind word can make them feel like there is hope, that life isn't so bad, after all.   Often the simplest things can make someone feel better & turn their day around.  So, join me in trying to make at least one person feel better each day.  And, while we're at it, let's not forget that those closest to us need those positive vibes each day too.  For now,  I hope these flowers improve your day.  :-)

Into The Light

 "Come forth into the light of things, Let nature be your teacher." ~Wordsworth

Nature can be a wonderful teacher if you just take enough time to let the lessons sink in.   This may require that you go sit in the woods and let the golden rays of the sun shine through the trees until they rest on your head.  The energy of the sun will then soak into you and give you warmth, hope and a new sense of peace.

I wish you a day filled with peace, love and joy.  :-)