“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” – Brené Brown The anxiety, isolation, sadness and uncertainty of our current circumstances make happiness seem like kind of a tough pursuit. Contentment or even staying afloat from day to day…
Category: flowers
As I suspected…
Research suggests that having cut flowers and plants in your house has positive health benefits! (Now really, are we surprised?) The American Society for Horticulture Science evaluated surgical patients and the therapeutic influence plants can have. According to the study, patients exposed to flowers had: lower blood pressure and heart rate lower ratings of pain,…
No Filter
Our local park is currently candy-colored…
There it is.
“Jesus wept.” “Not just the shortest verse in the Bible, but a powerful reminder that we don’t have to find the silver lining in everything: to express pain is valid and necessary. Even holy. If you needed permission today to fall apart for a bit and just have a good old fashioned cry, there it…
Playing
Playing with light and shadows with the most beautiful subjects in my house. I had these beauties delivered during the week. Supporting local while sheltering in place = win, win.
And…
“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. “And the people healed. And, in the…
Social Distancing
Isn’t it great that these guys don’t have to worry about giving each other space? Cleary, the more the merrier.
Gratitude
Social distancing…self isolation…flattening the curve… whatever you call this, it’s a strange, scary time. But as the days drag on, I never forget how ridiculously fortunate I am. – I have a steady income and a home to protect me – My family is healthy and well – Fresh air can’t be cancelled – Spring continues…
Pause
“In all the chaos and hurry, do not forget to notice the beauty and miracle of this world. Slow down. Notice. Observe. Be aware. Allow presence and awe to come back into your life.” – Brendon Burchard I’m a pretty good planner – especially when it comes to vacations and adventures. In fact, I’m a…
So good
“That is one good thing about this world… There are always sure to be more springs.” – L.M. Montgomery
Room
“I hope today is the kind of day you notice beautiful things. Amidst all of your uncertainty, I hope you can trust and believe: “my tired, anxious heart has not seen all there is to see.” Because even though you are waiting, there is still room for dreaming and creating. There is still room to…
Unplug
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you.” – Anne Lamott After several highly stressful weeks (months, really) at work, I was recently able to take a day off with no objective other than to decompress. No obligations, no special occasion, no appointments…just an ordinary day. And it was…
Patterns
Looking back over a recent trip to the Botanical Garden, I realized that I’d unintentionally taken a lot of similar photos. Lots of patterns… And then there’s a behavioral pattern. 🙂 I never forget to take this photo.
Today
“Today be good to people. listen – without rushing, give the benefit of the doubt, smile – just because, slow down – just a bit, choose kindness first, and tell those you love that you love them.” — Rachel Marie Martin, author And if I might take the liberty to add to this lovely sentiment……
Ahhhhh…
“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” And this Labor Day, I’m awfully thankful for time to rest. No working. No running. No serious chores. Just a walk with friends, time looking at neighborhood flowers, lots of tennis on the television, and just…quiet. Gracious, I needed that.
More
More sunshine. More lemons. More sunsets. More bananas. More sunflowers. More yellow. More happiness.
Transition
From sunsets… to sunrises… and everything in between… I’m noticing a definite shift in nature’s color palette lately. Fall is most certainly headin’ this way.
Bigger
“Be humble. The world is bigger than your view of the world. And certainly, God is much bigger than your view of God.” – Eugene Cho
Exhale the day
Inhale the sweet smell of home.
Colors of Summer
On the heels of a full weekend, these are a few photos I have to show for it. They include…dinner in Forest Park. Gorgeous flowers along my running route. And some funky tomatoes at the Farmer’s Market. Beyond having a timeframe in common, I thought the colors oddly tied them together. I’m going to miss…
Brightest
“Despite knowing they won’t be here for long they still choose to live their brightest lives.” – Sunflowers – Rupi Kaur, poet
Remember
Remember when you go into the world… To keep your eyes and ears wide open and be kind. Love one another. Take care of each other. Tell the truth. Always do your best. Listen to the big people and the little people. Explore new paths and have fun. Know that you are loved like crazy….
hey there, friends 