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.

Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. Harriet Tubman

It is so easy to forget that within each of us lies the enormous power to change the world around us. We become lulled into thinking that the outside world holds all the power and soon find ourselves letting circumstances control our lives. We give away our power to chose, our power to act, and our power to believe and then wonder why our world begins to crumble around us.

Believing in the power of your dreams - whatever they may be - is one way to regain your power and make changes in your life. Just the act of believing set the wheels in motion for achieving the seemingly impossible.

If you have become lulled into thinking that your dreams and goals will remain out of your reach forever, it's time to start believing in the power of your dreams and begin working to achieve them.

For today, gather your dreams and begin the journey toward reaching them. Give no thought to the criticism of those around you, for they do not have your insight and your desire to go forward in the direction of dreams.

Today, I am grateful for the brightness of the sun that brings life to earth, for the blue of the sky that adds beauty to the world, and for blankets of snow that creates a blank canvas that will awaken in glorious color in spring. I am grateful for chattering of the squirrel, the call of the jay, and the tiny chickadee.

I am grateful for warm clothes, hot coffee, and a roaring fire that keep me warm as winter rages on. I am grateful for houseplants that liven my world, for paperwhites in bloom, and tiny plants that struggle to burst forth from seeds.

I am grateful for a clear, sound mind that I may see the direction to go, for a healthy body that sees me through the day, and for laughter that brightens the world. 

I am grateful for family that I hold dear - for children who always make me proud and for their ability to go forward in the world and make a bright future for themselves. I am grateful for a husband, who is always by my side, for my cat who brings me great joy, and for a dog that alerts me when strangers are near.

I am grateful for the freedom to pursue my dreams, for the courage to follow wherever they lead, and for the quiet joy they bring to my life.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. In the words of Harriet Tubman, "May you always remember  you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars and change the world."

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children ...

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“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world  a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

How easy it is to become so self absorbed that we forget there is more to life that achieving material things, and spend our time in pursuit of that which fuels our dreams without regard for the lives of those around us. Take a moment today to consider the words of Emerson, and consider how you might touch the lives of others. 

Consider your actions and words today and how they impact the lives around you. Do they move you and others to better themselves? Do they lift the spirit or echo with laughter and good will? 

Achieving your goals at the cost of others will not bring the satisfaction and fulfillment you desire. Strike a healthy balance between working toward your goals and enriching the lives of others today, as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

Today, I am grateful for a cool morning breeze, leaves dancing freely, and hummingbirds that hoover over my petunias. I am grateful for the caw of the crow, the aroma of moist earth and fireflies that adorn the night. I am grateful for the far-a-way bark of a lonely dog, for the hoot of the owl that echoes in the night, and for oceans teeming with life.

I am grateful for another day filled with laughter and light, for the promise of many tomorrows to complete my work, and for green grass beneath my feet. I am grateful for soft damp air, for pine trees that brave the storm, and lightening that invigorates the earth.

I am grateful for my children who always amaze me, for a spouse to share my life, and for family to hold me close. I am grateful for parents who taught me to find my way, for brothers and sisters who have brought me great joy, and for friends who have brightened the way.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop and share my day. May you laugh often and much as you go forward in the direction of your dreams.

“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.

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.

We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails. ~Author Unknown

It's amazing how often we make our way through life thinking that if we but change the world around us, our lives will suddenly fall into place, without considering that perhaps we need to adjust our sails. The direction we will go and the destination we will reach depends on our ability and willingness to set the course.

Consider the journey you wish to take today and instead of fighting the prevailing winds -- adjust your sails to take you in the direction you need to go.

Pay no attention to the doom and gloom preached by those around you, as they are merely a reflection of the winds that blow. Take action today and harness the power of the wind to fuel your journey to a bright and prosperous future.

Today, I am grateful for bright winter sun, blue skies and white clouds that do not yet threaten snow. I am grateful for the glint of color as sunlight glistens off the frozen landscape, for the tinkle of my wind chimes, and for the blue jay who calls in the silent air. 

I am grateful for new opportunities yet to come my way, for a clear sound mind to start my day, and for the joy of beginning another December awaiting the arrival of Christmas. What a glorious season to close out the year! 

I am grateful for family and friends, for good health, and for the ability to feel joy in the softness of the wind or the beauty of the night. I am grateful for the freedom to choose which path I shall follow, for the insight to make good choices, and for the energy to sustain my efforts. 

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