A Bird Does Not Sing Because It Has an Answer ...

The birds of the the forest don't wait until the sun is nigh to begin singing. They sing out loud and clear long before dawn, serenading the world with their song. How great is their faith that the sun will return and their confidence that their song should be heard. Be like the birds today and give no thought to the circumstances around you as you lift up your head and sing your song. Know that you were given your song for reason and a few cloudy days will not dull its sound.

Have faith that you are headed in the right direction and even if you cannot yet see the sun, it will arrive on time.

Today, I am grateful for the dusting of snow that beautified the world under the cover of darkness, for the bright sun that peeks between the clouds and for the inevitable coming of spring. 

I am grateful for clean, fresh air to breathe, for sparkling snowflakes in the sun and for squirrels that always entertain me. I am grateful for the majesty of trees as they stand silent waiting for the arrival of spring, for the mystery of seeds that hold a whole lifetime within their coat and for fresh soil teeming with life. 

I am grateful for family and friends, for old acquaintances and for strangers I meet along the way. They have all helped shape me into the person I am. I am grateful for the changing of seasons that allows us to anticipate and celebrate the best of each.  

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you be like the birds of the forest today and sing out your song for the world to hear as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it. Confucius

I have recently taken up photography. The idea of using my photography as the basis of inspirational quotes has been kicking around in my head for while. I decided that it was time to put that into action and share my first one with you. It is my hope that it will bring joy to your life and inspire you to reach for your dreams.

I've always loved nature and found great peace and inspiration from immersing myself in the natural world. It is my solace and the place where I feel most at home. About seven months ago, my husband gave me a point 'n shoot camera and I began my journey into photography. As one might imagine, it led me to trying to capture the incredible beauty I saw in nature. 

As my family watched my interest turn to passion, they bought me a DSLR camera for Christmas. It opened a whole new world for me. Although I am still very much an amateur photographer, I am thrilled with the images I have managed to capture. It seems only fitting that I should share them here, as it speaks directly to following your dreams.

I had no idea that photography would become a passion and a source of joy and inspiration for me. Sure, I had said I wanted a camera to take pictures of my flowers for my Garden site, Maine Garden Ideas, but I had no idea that it would open up so many possibilities for me.

Sometimes, we become so conditioned to see ourselves in a certain way and assume we already know what we are capable of that we overlook the opportunities around us. We obediently accept our preconceived notions of who we are and where we need to go. 

Sometimes, the dreams we think we have or the goals we have painstakingly set aren't what we think they are. Sometimes, they are a reflection of what others have taught us we should want or strive for. If we are lucky, we may stumble upon something new that can take us further than we ever dreamed we could go.

Consider your life today and step out with new ideas. Get outside your comfort zone and try new things. You may discover that inside you lies the passion and talent for something you have never considered before. I will be eternally grateful for that first camera that showed me a world of possibilities.

Today, I am grateful for digital cameras that allow photographers to try and try again until they get it right. I am grateful for the vast resources online that teach me what I need to learn, for the patience of experienced photographers who answer the same newbie questions again and again, and the patience of my family as I ramble on about photography. 

I am grateful for the marvelous world of nature from which I can draw my inspiration, for eyes that see beyond the surface and look for the beauty locked inside every scene and for the ability to share that with you. 

I am grateful for a family that supports my growth, builds my confidence and always makes me feel loved. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you always the see the beauty in life as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.