“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.” ~ Epictetus

Over the course of the past few months, I have found myself sucked into the negative outlook of those around me. Oh, I'm not talking about my family here - or even my friends in real life. What I am talking about is online friends who seem to think it is necessary to bombard my senses with all that is negative and bad in the world.

The greatest offender, of course, is Facebook. Hardly a day goes by without several posts magically appearing that exhort me to take action to prove that I am a decent human being. You know what I am talking about. Those posts that claim any intelligent or compassionate human being would share their posts as proof of their superior standing in this world, while reminding me that and if I don't, then the devil must have a stronghold on my life. 

Sometimes, I find the irony amusing - especially when politically inclined people cry out for individual freedom while implying that if I don't share their message I am somehow a lesser human being. Do they not realize the irony of their ways?

Other times, I find them offensive. Not because the cause isn't worthy - it often is - but because the post invariable leaves readers feeling as though they are somehow lacking. I suppose the person who posts the message gets a temporary lift in spirits. Maybe they even think they are sending a valuable message to the world. What they do not realize is that by taking a jab at others they are tearing themselves down too.

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling the drain of being bombarded with negative comments and negative news. I have decided to follow the words of Epictetus and keep company with those that uplift me and call forth my best.

Today, I am grateful for a break in the rain, for sunny skies and gentle winds. I am grateful for my garden as it reaches for the sun, for songbirds who sing out in joy, and for baby animals everywhere that get some refuse from the rain. 

I am grateful for quiet moments to reflect, for lively times to laugh and have fun, and for my family that I love deeply. I am grateful for friends who lift me up, for opportunities to shine, and for another day to enjoy this glorious life. 

I am grateful for good books, well-told stories and the light of the moon. I am grateful for fireflies that light the night, for campfires that draw people close, and for the owl that hoots in the night.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you keep company with those that uplift you and call forth your best as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are. Anthony Robbins

How easy it is to begin to define ourselves by the things that we lack. I am not smart enough. I am not talented enough. I don't have enough money  - I am too old - too fat - too thin - too set in my ways to do things I want to do in life. Yet inside each of us lies the amazing power to change our lives.

Recently, I noticed a friend referring to her life as "before I got sick" and "after I got sick," as though they were two separate lives. It struck me then how eager we are to define ourselves by our external surroundings and how easily we let go of our own control of our lives.

Many of us may catch ourselves referring to life as "when I was young" and "as I got older," as though they too are separate lives. Yet, few of us stop to consider that the changes that have befallen us are a result of defining ourselves by our lack - a lack of health - a lack of youth - instead of the abundance we have in our lives.

Cultivate the art of defining yourself not by lack but by abundance, today. Give thanks for what you have and embrace your God-given ability to change your life according to your desires and beliefs about yourself. Let go of old hurts. Banish thoughts of real or imagined lack today and embrace all the is good in your life, that you may regain the power of self today.

Today, I am grateful for the rising sun, for clear blue skies, and leaves that shimmer in gold at morning's first light. I am grateful for birds who meet the new day with a song in the soul, for flowers that spring from tiny green buds, and for squirrels that scurry to meet the day.


I am grateful for cool clean air, for the mist that rises with each new breath, and for dewdrops that reflect the sun. I am grateful for trees clothed in summer green, for sound of wind chimes in the morning breeze, and bees.


I am grateful for family and friends with who I share my life, for strangers who offer as smile and continue on their way, and for children who are eager for the freedom of summer.


And, I am grateful for you dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you learn to define your life according to your abundance and  never by its lack, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Happiness is never out of our reach for the miracle of life is that we are all free to follow the path of our dreams.

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Sometimes we get so caught up in the daily business of living that we forget to pursue our dreams. Not because our dreams aren't important anymore, or we think we can't reach them - but because we somehow lose track of where we were headed in the first place. This has been one of those times for me.

It's not that anything monumental has happened. It hasn't. It isn't even that I've suddenly had too many demands on my time. It has been more of a falling off so gradual I didn't even notice. Maybe it is due to the long winter or the economy that has all of us struggling to meet the demands of daily life. 

Yesterday, I took the day off from writing to work in my garden. As evening approached, I took my coffee to the backyard and sat listening the bird's as they bid the day farewell. Gazing over my garden beds,the gentle summer breeze bathed my face, and I was suddenly struck with just how lucky I am. Suddenly, I remembered why I have chosen the solitary life as a writer in the first place. It is the freedom to enjoy God's creation that has lead me to life where I set the hours, I direct my path and God provides the inspiration.

If you, like me, have lost your way in pursuing your dreams, take the time to reconnect with the life force that propelled you in the direction of your dreams in the first place. Find that silent inspiration that makes you soul sing. Only by reconnecting to with that life force - whatever you perceive it to be - can you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Today, I am grateful for the beauty of the universe, for green growing things, flowers that burst forth in bloom, and birds that soar to the heavens. I am grateful for the color of the sky as day descends to night, I am grateful for the bright night stars, for the shimmering moon, and the vastness of what lies beyond.

I am grateful for the tiny hummingbird, the song of the robin, and butterflies that flit from flower to flower. I am grateful for the summer sun, for the cool breeze that plays music through the leaves, and for gentle rain that refreshes the earth.

I am grateful for family and friends who bring me great joy, for my children as they go forth into the world ready to pursue their dreams, and for my husband who shares my life.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May  you find your source of inspiration today as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose” Kahlil Gibran

I'd like to share my slideshow of pink roses with you today. Please click the image to view the gorgeous pink roses!

So many times we let fear of the unknown or the possibility of getting hurt get in our way, stopping us from meeting our goals. Guard today against being the pessimist who is immobilized by fear. Strive first to see the beauty and goodness that is all around you. Go forward with joy in your heart that you may enjoy the beauty of the Universe - giving thanks to all that you have already been given. Only then will you begin to see the marvelous possibilities that await you in your future.

Today, I am grateful for gray skies that I know hold April rains necessary to transform my word to growing green things. I am grateful for the farewell of snow for another year, for the soft spring earth and for daffodils that sing out of spring.

I am grateful for good food to celebrate the Easter weekend, for the comfort of a cozy home and for laughter that lightens the soul. I am grateful for a clear, sound mind and healthy body that takes me where I wish to go, for photographers who provided the images of pink roses that I may share with you, and for my cat who purrs upon my desk.

I am grateful for wind chimes that dance to their own music - may we always be as brave. 

I am grateful for family and friends who share my accomplishments and bring great joy into my life, for neighbors who remind me we are never alone, and for God's creatures that inhabit the earth.

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

The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.

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So many times in life we become so focused on the things we need to do to survive that we forget there is more to life than survival. Many of us live day to day or week to week - or if we are really lucky month to month, mainly in an attempt to work hard to make enough to pay our bills. Although it's nothing compared to how hard our ancestors worked just to survive - it can take its toll.

If you are in the habit of focusing your energy on survival you may be missing out on life along the way.

Last night while reading How to Get What You Want and Want What You Have by John Gray I came a gem that really started me to thinking.  

 "When outer success leaves us feeling unhappy, we conclude that the cause of our unhappiness is not having the next thing."

He goes on to explain that our thinking is logical, but wrong. According to him, unhappiness is simply a lack of inner joy and has nothing to do with the things we have. If he is correct, which he probably is, then it stands to reason that we must practice a little contemplation in our life to discover what it is that makes life pleasurable and enjoyable for us. 

For today, take some time to yourself and resist the urge to channel all your energy into survival. Sit back and consider what things you really want in life and whether you are somehow expecting them to make you happy.

Today, I am grateful for quiet moments in which to think, for increased awareness that allows me to go forward toward my goals, and for the ability to see opportunities at every turn. I am grateful for a clear sound mind, for a healthy body, and for the ability to reach for my dreams.

I am grateful for sunny days, for starlit nights, and for soft green moss beneath my feet. I am grateful for the robin that hops outside my window, for blades of grass that emerge through snow, and tulips that are soon to come.

I am grateful for family and friends who share my life, for neighbors, and for stranger I shall never know - but cross my path with smile or nod. I am grateful for the elderly who share their wisdom, for the youth so full of life, and babies with their loving smiles.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you take time to contemplate the things that really mean the most in your life, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Destiny is not matter of chance. It is a matter of choice ...

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Many spend their lives waiting for that magical moment when everything will fall together. Perhaps it is because we have been taught that all good things come in time and patience is a virtue. Perhaps it is because we secretly have no idea what we want in life, but think we will know it when we see.

It is infinitely easier to think that all things work as they should and that our true destiny is already mapped. It lets us of the hook and takes away our responsibility for our own success or failure.

Adjust your thinking today and embrace the thought that your destiny is not a matter of chance - that you have a choice. Begin to make choices that lead you in the direction of your dreams and you will soon find success and happiness.

Today, I am grateful for good books, soft chairs and cuddly blankets. I am grateful for writers who share a bit of their invisible world with the reader, for publishers who bring the book to life and for luxury of afternoons spent reading.

I am grateful for the inspiration that comes from nature, for the invigorating March wind and for pine trees that scatter their cones. I am grateful for the chickadee that dances outside my window, for eager dogs that cannot resist spring mud and for sprigs of new grass.

I am grateful for music that fills the soul, for silence that envelops my world by night and for laughter. I am grateful for the cry of the blue jay, the sounds of children playing and the hoot of the owl.

I am ever grateful for family and friends who enrich my life. 

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader as you stop to share my day. May you make wise choices as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Listen to the sound of your dreams and be unafraid to follow the music.

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For many of us, following the sound of our dreams gets confused with following what others think we need or want. Instead of listening to our own music, we sometimes find ourselves listening to the sound of other people's dreams and follow it like the Pied Piper, never suspecting that it may be leading us astray.

Be still today and listen carefully for the music of your dreams that your joy may be full as you strive to reach your goals.

Today, I am grateful for frogs and toads that will soon emerge from their winter's slumber, for warm soft air that fills the heart with joy, and for melting streams and rivers that will soon flow freely. I am grateful for fiddleheads that will soon begin to grow, offering free food for all who seek them out. 

I am grateful for eyes to see, ears to hear and hands to feel. I am grateful for air to breathe, water to drink and the beauty of the Universe. I am grateful for trees that provide shade, babbling brooks that soothe the soul, and moss that creates a green carpet on the forest floor.

I am grateful for insects with their soothing hum, for dandelions that offer up spring's first flowers, and for mud that is cool and squishy beneath the feet. I am grateful for March winds that dry the earth, for spring rains that bring the promise of new green life, and for kites that fly in a clear blue sky.

I am grateful for my children who always make me proud, for my husband who is always there, and for brothers and sisters who always make me smile. I am grateful for friends who add interest to my life.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you learn to listen to the music of your soul as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.