A reason to smile...

Image by Lenka Novotná

"https://pixabay.com/users/jplenio-7645255

Image by Cindy Lever

"Looking at beauty in the world is the first step of purifying the mind."

Amit Ray

As the world seems to be enveloped in the unknown, I find myself needing more reasons to reach for a smile. Nature always provides! Whether it's being outside and hugging a tree, observing from my window or looking at beautiful pictures from the internet. The beauty and wonder of nature never cease to amaze me. It's free and accessible to all. May you find what makes you smile today!

Music

https://pixabay.com/users/danielkirsch

"Everything in the Universe has a rhythm, everything dances."

Maya Angelou

When I was a teenager I use to play the guitar and write music. It was therapeutic for me during that time of my life. I haven't played in years and never really thought of myself as a music lover, but I think I am, more then I give myself credit for. Yesterday my daughter showed me how to make a playlist on YouTube and we had so much fun gathering old and new songs. I'm excited to have music at my fingertips and be able to sing and even dance if it moves me. So after being enveloped in music most of the day, I realized that it still has much to offer me. Providing good memories, creating new ones, a reason to smile and a reason to dance!

Winter to Spring

"I'm going to try and pay attention to the spring. I'm going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen."

Anne Lamont

Winter has much to offer if I pause long enough to see. To linger in appreciation at the hidden treasures now visible through the absence of distractions. As winter comes to say goodbye, spring knocks at the door to be welcomed. 

Today there was time to play, to plant and dig in the dirt. New growth is anticipated and a hunger for the freshness that a new season brings and a chance to see things differently.

A smile...

It has been two years since I've written on my blog and it always feels good to be back, no matter how long I've been gone. Within those two years LOTS has pass through my life and heart. Today there is a smile on my face. A smile that knows "all is well. A smile that radiates a knowing that I will not forsake or abandon myself for any reason. A smile that holds love for the people in my life that mean so much. A smile for my creativity that flows and a smile... just because I'm me!

It's in the Present Moments...

Today while my soul aches with grief, I sit outside among the trees, the warmth of the sun, the birds and mother nature. She gently reminds me to stay in the present moment and gather the smallest of moments that can drift by without notice and allow them to soften the sharp edges.

"My smallest of moments"...

A postcard of shared sorrow and hope

A friends shared tears and laughter

A small package of thoughtfulness

A meal offered and shared

A welcoming place to be

Animals with unconditional love

Quiet time with healing space

A car taken care of and safe to travel

Projects to work on, made with loving hands and heart 

Surrounded with art that speaks and soothes

and...human kindness that connects us all.

Fish out of water...

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."

Maya Angelou

As my search for my forever home continues, I've realized I'm feeling like a "fish out of water." I'm such a homebody and a home is a place of refuge and a place to recharge from the world for me. But I am forever grateful for the refuge I do have among people who have provided a safe and loving place to be while I turn the page of this new chapter in my and my children's lives. Today in this present moment I will breathe deeply and remember this quote...

"Home is where the heart is."

Collaging...

I have collaged on and off for years and there has never been a time when I haven't loved it, but I never knew why, not that there really was a reason to know, other then it makes me happy. But recently, as I'm in the space of working on it more, it finally came to me. Being a visually learner, collaging has been my visual affirmations and it is my place that has no right and wrong. It is my space to just be!