No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. Hal Borland

Hal Borland may not have been speaking literally when he said no winter lasts forever, but for those of us in Maine it has seemed like winter would last forever. It's nearly the middle of April and there are still piles of snow covering my garden and raised beds.

The good news is: the snow is melting, the robins are singing and the sun has returned. Our world will likely transform from a snow-covered landscape to green grass within a few short weeks. With spring comes a renewal of the soul.

If you, like me, have found yourself struggling as you work your way to the light, it's time to celebrate the coming of spring. The shedding of winter clothes and throwing open the windows to air out the home always fills me with hope.

Today, I am grateful for the robin's song that has been gone from my life for way too long, for sunshine that melts the remaining snow and for the woodpecker who hammers away at still frozen trees. I am grateful for skies of blue, white puffy clouds and water that trickles down the road.

I am grateful for tiny blades of grass that somehow find their way through the snow and ice and stand proud and tall around foundations. I am grateful for fresh air to breathe, for windchimes that sing into the night, and for stars that adorn the sky.

I am grateful for the promise of another year to grow flowers and veggies in my backyard, for the vision of colors that will soon burst forth and for my garden chair that has silently awaited my return. I am grateful for the sounds of spring that have nothing to do with emerging birds a wildlife - for the far-away sounds that tell me the snow is gone and the muffle of winter air is gone.

I am grateful for my family who is always there, for my friends who offer me support and for strangers who are not yet friends, but who will cross my path today. 

And I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you celebrate the coming of spring with great joy and happiness today. 

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. Buddha

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So often we become so focused on reaching our goals and dreams that we forget that happiness doesn't lie in reaching our goals. Happiness doesn't happen at some magical point at the end of the journey. Take the time today to look around you and give thanks for all that you have that you may experience happiness along the way.

Get into the habit of sharing your joy and good fortune with others so that you may both be blessed with happiness and great joy. May you take time away from your busy schedule today to laugh much and experience the joy of being alive.

You are the only one who can use your ability. It is an awesome responsibility.

It's easy to think that the talents we have been given are less valuable than the talents of others. We have been raised to compare ourselves to others to see how we "measure up" in the game of life. That practice brings with it some inherent dangers. Not only does it blind us to our own unique talents, it sometimes fools us into thinking that we can never measure up to the skills and talents of others. But, it is only an illusion.

Your have your own special abilities that differ from the skills and talents of those around you. To find happiness in life and improve the lives of others, take the time to develop your talents. Look deeply and consider what you have to offer the world--you may be surprised at what you discover.


Today, I am grateful for light that allows me to view the beauty of the world, for sound that brings music to my ears and for the sense of touch that I may feel the soft fur of purring a cat or the crispness of icy cold snow.


I am grateful for good friends who encourage me, for family that sustains me and strangers who have yet to cross my path. 


I am grateful for cloudy skies that make me appreciate the sun when it appears, for snowy days that cover the world in silent blankets and for icicles that glisten in the afternoon sun.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as your stop to share my day. May you go far with the talents you have been given.

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.


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