New Growth

 

When out for a walk the other day, I noticed "new growth" sprouted up all around. It got me to thinking (as nature often does) that, that's what new growth looks like on us. Beautiful, fresh, inspiring, and hopeful. Each present moment is a chance for new growth, new hope, new inspiration and to be beautiful. 

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!

Reconstructing A Life...

My life goes on... driving, cleaning, cooking, shopping, making phone calls, talking with friends, watering plants, getting dressed... but in the shadow, lingers grief and an unsettled unknowing of how to "reconstruct a new life." The people that surround me have not changed, mother nature provides her constant  beauty that is unwavering, and my children remain ever present and close. These are the things I hold onto as I stumble along, looking for refuge, while newness comes each day asking for my assistance.
I'm reminded that reconstruction comes with time... one step at a time. What was. is gone, you sift through the rubble and hold on to the good, while letting go of all that no longer serves you. You listen closer, now that the noise of the past is silent...and you begin!

A Rainy Day Beauty...

This is a cooperative blog - here is Pam's blog, check out her Friday photo! http://gentlegull.blogspot.com/2016/01/photo-friday-bird-watching.html?m=1

Drink...

 " The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man."

This is what happens when my soul gets lost in everyday... building, cars, businesses, highways, schedules. I need to find that space where nature is pure and untouched. Where it is free to grow wild and allows me to breath in it's essence and beauty that I often loose site of. It teaches me to let go and just be one with all that is. To once again drink in mother natures peace...

Need...

I was in need of some nice words today... and for me there is nothing better then a quote...or two!

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."

"She took the leap and built her wings on the way down."

" Be kind to everything that lives."

" If you're making mistakes, it means you're out there doing something."

" Just because something ends doesn't mean it never should've been. Remember, you lived, you learned, you grew and you moved on."

" You can never make to much Happy."

" When you stop believing in Santa... you get underwear."

" Your cells contain the universe."

" The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind."

" Don't shine so others can see you. Shine so that, through you, others can see."

" Broken crayons still color."

" We met for a reason, either you're a blessing or a lesson."

" It you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place."

Pleasant...

The last couple of days I've seen butterflies fluttering by. Seems weird in mid-October to see them but it brought a smile to my face and it was a pleasant surprise! Thanks for sharing your beauty with me.

End of my Week in Pictures...

Cute little shoes left my a sweet child to busy living life to remember they left their shoes!

A weed has beauty

A single rose petal fluttered to the ground

Mini tree growing where it was planted

Pretty fern like plants randomly growing beneath my feet

A polka dotted leaf

Beauty left behind after the rose petals fall off

One day collection of leaves

I loved this metal shaped tree that someone had mounted on the side of their house

My butterfly still blooming in mid-October

Again...

" Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale."

Lauren DeStefano

I know, I am talking about fall again and I probable will again soon, but I came across this quote and I just loved it!!! Every time I'm out walking I can't help myself and I come home with leaves I'v picked up and need to dry. This fall is no different... in my house you will find dried leaves just about everywhere.

Restoring...

"Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul."

Alice Walker

Today I bought this plant for myself ( only $3.00!) to create beauty around me and restore my soul!

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers... So pretty!

Comfort...

The hummingbird drinks

The bee hums a rhythmic tune

and nature offers comfort

I was in need of comfort this morning and when you walk out in my back yard my Rose of Sharon tree is in full bloom. As I stepped out the door, I saw several humming birds and bees enjoying the flowers on my tree. I couldn't help but smile and I found comfort in the beauty!

Walk...

Everyday I'm interacting with mother nature while walking other peoples dogs. This gives me lots of opportunities to observe and bath in her beauty. The other day I posted about the Mimosa tree and now another awesome tree is in bloom ~ the Crape Myrtle. With its beautiful cluster of flowers, and when they start to drop off, leave behind this blanket of confetti that covers the ground. Just so pretty...

Brick and Mortar...

I'm so grateful today for Mother Nature and all her beauty. As I was driving around town, from one place to the next, surrounded by roads, cars, and buildings, all I could think of was how I just wanted to walk among the trees and breath! Breath in all the oxygen, hug a tree, dance in the leaves, smell the fragrance of the cool damp woods, and just be in that space. I'm grateful that I have a backyard that provides a small taste of all that and I can recharge and connect when needed.

Strive...

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy."

Anne Frank

This is what I will strive for today. 

There is beauty left around me... I'm happy!

Only Choice...

"You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice."

Bob Marley

Right now being strong IS my only choice. Yes I could give up but that's not an option. It is not a choice I want. I want to make it through this unknown because I know deep in my heart there is love and beauty that dwells within this process. I see it and then I lose sight of it. I can do this... I am strong enough!

Racing...

"If your always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you're in?"

This is a good reminder when my days get so full and I'm not paying attention to the present moment, to slow down and ~ pause ~ breath ~ and be present, because when that moment is gone, it's gone for good. There can be so much wonder and beauty in that space, but when I'm racing to the next I miss it!

Brave...

"With Brave Wings She Flies"

And so it is... with brave wings I can fly. I can allow my life to soar above anything I could ever imagine myself. And land in a place of beauty and abundance. Because...

with brave wings I can fly!

Details...

Woke up overwhelmed this morning with thoughts about so many things going on in my life right now. When the scope of everything looks to large it's time to narrow it down and concentrate on the little things. That is where I am grateful and can see the beauty. Today "all is well" and I'm holding on to all that's good in the fine details of my life!

Nature Weaving...

This is one of my favorite pieces of art in my house. It was made at a home school gathering years ago and different people contributed to it during that gathering. I continue to add and weave in and I never get tired of looking at it. It reminds me of friendships and our connectedness to each other and to the great Mother Earth. This picture doesn't do it justice, because the beauty is in the fine details... Just like us!

The Crack...

When I saw this picture it made me think about how our imperfections don't take away from our beauty.  Like this tree that has a large crack in it, doesn't take away from it's magnificence. When we are in the present moment we are more focused on only the beauty that surrounds us and not focused on the things we find  "wrong."