words and pictures....
March 2, 2012
“Today, I remember that all relationships are assignments. Whether I learn the hardest lesson, or am reminded of some lesson that brought me joy; today, I thank the Creator for allowing me to participate in this learning experiance.” ~~ Pamela J. Leavey
(Photo: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Reflection ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2011)
March 1, 2012
It’s a grey day here on the river today, with snow falling for the past 24 hours now. I have been reflecting today on losing something you think you found but really didn’t. In the blink of an eye, the sun shone through the clouds and lifted my heart up into the heavens, and I basked it’s warm and comfortable embrace…
And then it slipped away, back through the clouds and left me bereft of understanding as to where it went. But, alas, I do know that nothing in life is ever permanent. We struggle with loss and grief, and naturally we should. We learn from loss and grief, and naturally we should. And then, we move on.
Life is the grand hall of learning. It shapes who we are, and leaves us all with indelible impressions, called memories, that give us pause to reflect. We can reflect on the sadness, but we must always remember the joy.
(Photo: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Afternoon ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2011)
Today I am re-minded to honor and cherish the nest… The place I call home. It is my haven and my sanctuary where I find peace away from world around me. I am grateful for my home… ~ Pamela J. Leavey
(Photo: Empty Nest ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2011)
February 29, 2012
When I look to the skies, I often see very magical formations in clouds like the one below that looks a bit like a rainbow colored lightening bolt seen through the the bare trees:
When I see rainbows, my heart lifts up to the heavens in a sort of communion with the universe that fills me with joy.
It’s so important to find joy in the little things in life, as I have noted here in my Daily Affirmation today, and my Food For Thought post yesterday.
We go through life sometimes in a very numb state of mind, in that we forgot to look to the skies for rainbows or stop and smell the flowers.
I learned a long time ago that in being in the moment, you place your heart and soul in alignment with the opportunity to experience and feel joy. To be in the moment takes constant work and practice on living with an open mind and an open heart.
Awakening to joy, seeing rainbows is a great balm to the soul when we learn to look to even the littlest things to fill our hearts and minds with love and gratitude.
(Photo: Rainbow Bolt Through the Trees ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2012)
Today, I will take time to be grateful for the little things that make each day special. Crocus blooming early in the garden, the river glistening in the sun, the birds singing in the trees, the ever chaging cycles of Mother Nature which inspire and awe me each day. ~~ Pamela J. Leavey
(Photo: On The River ~~ c. Pamela J. Leavey)
February 28, 2012
A short time after publishing my earlier post today, Live With Sorrow, I looked out of my desk window to check on my little yellow crocus that have been blooming sporadically for over a week now and found they had some companions… Some lovely white crocus had also bloomed.
As I hobbled down my driveway, camera in hand, I was filled with joy knowing that more of the crocus I had planted last fall were poking their pretty little petals out in the sun.
It’s true that the smallest and simplest things can fill our hearts with joy. For me flowers have always been a great source of joy. I spent 20 years working as a floral designer and although the long hours during the holiday seasons were rough, the work itself was always filled with joy. It never ceased to amaze me during those 20 years, that I could look at a bunch of white daises, or red roses, or pink carnations and find that one perfect flower that made me say, “wow.”
Joy is all around us… Even in times of deep sorrow, we must open our eyes to see, open our ears to hear and let it the joy flow into us every day.
(Photo: Crocus On The River ~ c. Pamela J. Leavey 2012)
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