Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson






photo by nrichford

So often in life, we become so focused on the thistles that we forget to see their beauty. Consider the lowly thistle today. It's prickers are sharp and it can be an annoyance, but with its bloom it brings us the soft down that serves to line the nests of the striking Goldfinch and inspired Clement Clark Moore when writing "Twas the Night Before Christmas."


If you have ever seen the down of a thistle as it floats through the air then "Away they all flew like the down of a thistle" takes on new meaning.


Examine the thistles in your life, today and consider what hidden beauty they may hold.
Sometimes, we become so focused on the things we do not want in our lives that we forget they may have gifts to bear. That momentary set back may well be a sign to take stock of your life, change your focus and look for undiscovered treasures. Take a moment today and seek out the beauty around you and appreciate all that you have. Only by deep appreciation and gratitude for what life has given us can we go forward to attain seemingly unreachable goals. 

Today, I am grateful for misty air that once again promises rain, for the squirrel that stamps his angry feet to scare me from his path and for soft gray clouds that envelop my world. I am grateful for dancing leaves, thistle blossoms and bold wild flowers. I am grateful for another day to share my thoughts, to laugh and to enjoy the wonders of the world around me.


I am grateful for new babies and I am grateful for those yet to be born as they have much to give to this world. I am grateful that my heart holds compassion for those who struggle, that I have eyes that see beyond the surface and the drive to make a difference. I am grateful for family and friends who help me make sense of the world when it becomes confusing, from guidance from an unseen force that I call God when I lose my way, and for the knowledge that the path is always open if I but open my eyes and see it.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader as you stop and share my day. May you take the time to see the beauty around you today as you go forth to reach your goals.

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.”~ Dr Seuss

Consider your goals and heart's desires today. They are out there waiting for you, all you need to do is go forward and claim them. Too often, the mountain looks too big or the distance seems so far that we become discouraged and fail to strive for what we want.

But we can't cross the distance or scale the mountain simply by viewing. Visions are wonderful, but to reach them takes action. 


Are you ready to take action today? Go forward with singleness of mind and conquer that mountain. Never forget the power that is inside you.


Today, I am grateful for soft damp air that whispers that rain may come and renew the earth. I am grateful for a reprieve from the beating sun that has dried the earth. I am grateful for unfolding flowers that bring beauty to my day.

I am grateful for grasshoppers as they spring from plant to plant, for crickets that sing into the night and for leaves that rustle in proud strong trees. I am grateful for the faraway cry of the crow, the barking of dogs and the tender meow of loving cats. I am grateful for old country roads that ramble through the wilderness, moss covered rocks and meandering streams.


I am grateful for a family to love, for friends to share a laugh and for the kindness of strangers. I am grateful for work that beckons, for eyes that see and a heart that feels.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day while you go forward to conquer your mountain. May your heart be filled with joy that overflows to the lives of others today.

Vision is only the first step . . .

You cannot plough a field by
turning it over in your mind.
Author Unknown

Photo by  jzlomek

The farmer knows that vision is only the beginning. To bring that vision to fruit requires dedication and hard work. Simply wishing it so, does not prepare the soil or sow the seeds.

Consider the attitude of the farmer today as he works steadfastly toward his vision. Just like you and I, he faces challenges beyond his control, but he does not give up.  If the weather takes a bad turn, the farmer does not give up in despair. He strives to reach his goal despite the circumstances. 

How many times in our lives we think we cannot go on--that reaching our goals is impossible--simply because of the circumstances around us. Rise up above the temptation to give in to circumstances and go forward with the determination of a farmer today as you strive to meet your personal goals.

Today, I am grateful for the chattering squirrel as he raids my feeder, for the gentle breeze that tells me fall is on its way, and for fluttering leaves that are music to my soul.  I am grateful for flowers in bloom, fragrant garden herbs, and hummingbirds as they dart through the air. I am grateful for the air I breathe, sweet garden vegetables, and sunshine.

I am grateful for family and friends who make my life full. I am grateful for those who have crossed my path and brought me the knowledge I needed to move forward. I am grateful for those I am yet to meet as they bring with them things I still need to learn.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your heart be filled with warmth and joy as you go forward--like the farmer-- to bring your vision to pass. 

The Principles and Power of Vision: Keys to Achieving Personal and Corporate Destiny (Study Guide)

 

Beauty

 “Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson 

God visits my garden every morning and I do my best to join him there. I am always amazed by its beauty in the rich color and peaceful energy.

Concentrate on the beauty around you today. Take the time to look. You may be surprised by what beauty there is in your own backyard that your busy life simply hasn't allowed you the time to see.

Today, I am grateful for the mighty winds that cast the clouds across the sky, for singing insects that remind me that life goes on just as it should whether I notice or not, and for squirrels that prance beneath my feet making the way to my bird feeder.I am grateful for the opportunity to work, for whispering leaves and for grass that feels cool beneath my feet. I am grateful for the exquisite beauty of shadows cast by a rising sun, for crisp tender vegetables from my garden and for wind chimes that add music to the air.I am grateful for family and friends who make life full and help me see the world through another's eyes. I am grateful for beginnings, for hard work and hope for a bright tomorrow.And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your day be filled with beauty as you go forth toward your future.

“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say” Martin Luther King Jr.








photo by ricorocks

Consider your words, today. Listen to your tone of voice and the message your words send to others today.  Sometimes, it isn't what you say, but how you say it that matters most. Of course, that does include those things you do not say.


If you hear yourself responding to others by saying, "But, I didn't say anything!" , take that as your cue to listen to the message you are sending to others. Hiding behind ambiguous words, or practicing the fine art of "not saying" something is a dangerous art.


You may think you are fooling others, but it seldom works. Your message comes through loud and clear even if the listener cannot "tell you" exactly what you said to send the message.


To maintain a positive outlook on life you need to be honest with yourself and honest with your words. 

Evaluate your words, today, and make sure they are expressing the message you really want others to hear. 


Today, I am grateful for cloudy skies that shelter the world from the radiating sun, for rain that will replenish the earth and for squirrels that raid the feeder. I am grateful for a mind that thinks, a mouth that speaks and a heart that feels.


I am grateful for family and friends who offer me strength, for strangers that offer a hand and for bees that buzz from flower to flower. I am grateful for another day to live and learn and laugh.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your day be filled with joy and your words bring peace and comfort to those around you.

Photo by Nerian 

"It is hard to let old beliefs go. They are familiar. We are comfortable with them and have spent years building systems and developing habits that depend on them. Like a man who has worn eyeglasses so long that he forgets he has them on, we forget that the world looks to us the way it does because we have become used to seeing it that way through a particular set of lenses. Today, however, we need new lenses. And we need to throw the old ones away." Kenich Ohmae

Consider your view of the world today. What lens are you viewing it through? How would it change if you viewed it through a new set of lenses? Take a risk today and try out a new set of lenses with which to view the world.

I often hear pessimists proclaim that they are not pessimists, They claim they simply see the world the way it is. How sad that they cannot comprehend that we all choose how we see the world. There is no "how it is". How it is changes with our perspective, with our life experiences and with our state of mind. 

If you want to see a better world today, change your lenses.

Today, I am grateful for kittens, for puppies and for baby birds as they begin their journey into life. I am grateful for gardens brimming with fruit, for soil rich in nutrients and for room for roots to grow. I am grateful for buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies.

I am grateful for the changing of seasons that brings great beauty to the landscape. I am grateful for  babbling brooks and mighty rivers. I am grateful for family and friends who share my life and bring me joy.


And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May you go forward with boldness as you risk the changing of your lenses today. May your vision be sharp and your heart be full.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”




photo by pschubert






Too often, we go through life pointing out all that is wrong with the world without making an attempt to do anything about it. This holds true of many who are attempting to develop a positive attitude.  Instead of using our attitude to change the world, many of us hit road blocks and declare that we cannot maintain a positive attitude because the world around us is negative. 

If you find yourself in situations where those around you dwell in the negative, it is up to you to be the agent of change. Whether your stumbling block is a relationship, your job, financial worries or simply your choice of friends, you hold the power to change how you see it and how you react to it.

I challenge you today to rise above those things in your life that threaten to hold you back. See beyond the immediate circumstances and find all that is good and just in your life.  Be an example to all you meet today and watch the world around you change.

Today, I am grateful for the drenching rains that cooled the air and provided water for all living things, for the glory of sunsets and the awe of sunrise. I am grateful for eyes that see, for ears that hear and a heart that feels. 

I am grateful for quiet mornings, star filled nights and fireflies. 

I am grateful for family and friends who share my life, for cats and their quiet intelligence and for dragon flies.

And, I am grateful for you, dear reader, as you stop to share my day. May your day be filled with goodness and light as you learn to rise above the negatives of the world. May your vision be sharp and your heart be warm as you work to be the change you want to see in the world.