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.

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. Pamela Vaull Starr

photo by NASA

Consider your deepest dreams, today. Work to transform them into goals. Only then can you work toward bringing them to life.

If you haven't done so already, begin writing down short term goals that take you closer to where you ultimately want to go. Not only does this clarify what you really want in life, it provides a road map leading to your dreams.


Start small, if you need to. There is no time limit on reaching your goals. You are free to move as quickly or as slowly as necessary. Cherish the journey and reward yourself for each milestone you reach. Remember, small steps leading in the direction of your dreams soon add up to great strides.


Today, I am grateful for old friends who encourage me, new friends that share common goals and those who spur me to look at life in varying ways. I am grateful for family, for community and laughter.


I am grateful for fall flowers that continue to bloom as frost draws near, for trees that dance in brisk fall winds, and dappled sunlight that drifts through my window.


I am grateful for opportunities to expand my craft, for the time to devote to reaching out to others, and for the wisdom to see their needs.


I am grateful for the infinite beauty of the Universe.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your dreams be big and your goals be clear as you go forward to make a better day.

There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate.  ~Robert Brault








photo by earl53

Consider what you choose to focus your energy on today. Each of us holds the power to to focus on the good things in life and celebrate the events and people in our lives that bring joy and peace into the world. Look for those special occasions in your life that give you cause to celebrate and let them be your focus.

Make a decision to cultivate a positive attitude about yourself and about your life. If you hold ill feelings toward another or harbor resentments and hurt today, make a decision to let them go. They can only hold you down and rob you of your joy. Lift up your heart and your life to the light today and celebrate.

Today I am grateful for a good night's sleep, for a soft pillow on which to rest my head and comfortable blankets to keep me warm. I am grateful for streaks of sun that tell me it is time to awake. I am grateful for pouncing cats, ambitious dogs and cawing crows that announce the beginning of a new day.

I am grateful for a day off from work so I can gather my thoughts and refresh my mind for another week. I am grateful for the great oceans that I know exist beyond my view, mountains that stand strong against the storm, and forests.

I am grateful for family and friends that bring me strength, for online friends who lift others up when they are down, and those who will cross my path as I follow my dreams and strive to reach my goals.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you find much to celebrate today as you lift up your heart and seek all that is good in the world.