In honor of my daughter..

My Favorite Photo (I've Ever Taken) 3 Brickfish

I'd like to deviate from my typical post today to share my daughters work. She has entered this photo in a competition to earn a scholarship for  college and can use your support. Voting is quick and easy and only takes a second. You can vote twice a day, everyday for the next 45 plus days. To win, she needs to make her way to the top. As of this writing, she is rated as 33 out of 8518. Points are earned both from votes and from posts to other sites, such a twitter, facebook and blogs.


Today, I am grateful for good friends, the generosity of strangers and sugar free French vanilla coffee creamer. I am grateful for family that lighten my load, for writers who share their knowledge and for photographers who capture what the eyes cannot. 

I am grateful for holiday wrappings, dangling ribbons and candy canes. 


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader as you stop to share my day. May your holidays be cheery and your heart be light.


UPDATE: 12/23/10: Her entry is now #28 out of 9251 entries. Thanks for your continued support.

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

photo by cohdra




 My wish for you today is that you may find the simple joy of Christmas as your share memories and become childlike in your joy.  

For many of us,  money is tight and forces us to make changes in our spending this year, but don't let that prevent you from giving. 

Give of yourself, give of your time and give from your heart. If you are discouraged as Christmas approaches, take the time now to give thanks for all you have, for surely your wealth is great--if you but look. 


Today, I am grateful for the winter sun that pales in comparison to its summer brightness, yet manages to set the world aglow shimmering against the snow. I am grateful for sparkling ice, for tiny prisms of light in every snowflake glittering in the sun, and evergreens that stand proud and tall.


I am grateful for children everywhere who anticipate the coming of Christmas with joy in their hearts. May their wishes be granted and may they find pleasure in all they receive.


I am grateful for the ability to make a comfortable living from doing what I love best, for the many readers and followers I have gained during the year and for the wisdom to provide what my readers need most.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your days be filled with untold joy as you become a child again at Christmas.


Recommended reading:

 

“The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car… a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little.”

~Ben Sweetland  

Photo by earl53


Many Americans, it seems, live in a culture of lack, expecting nothing great from the world and quite willingly accepting a life of lack in return. But this doesn't need to be the case.

You hold the power to change your thinking about yourself and your life.Once your expectations increase, you are on your way to meeting your goals.

Today, I am grateful for Christmas lights, for multi-colored bows, and boxes tied up with ribbons. I am grateful for the fresh scent of the tree and my cat as she gently bats the balls.


I am grateful for Christmas music to make my heart light, for feelings to make my life full and words to express it all.

I am grateful for family that I hold dear, for old friends who send Christmas cheer and and snow that creates a winter wonderland.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you expect much and receive much as you go forward to meet your goals.