Category Archives: Gratitude

Weekly Photo Challenge: Abandoned 2

Gratitude, Kindness, photography • Tags: , ,
Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition
Abandoned

We all get caught up in our lives and forget there are so many who have worse problems than we do, so today I am grateful that I had parents who supported me, and I salute children in foster care who have so many obstacles to overcome. May the world become a kinder place for them and may their families heal from whatever destroyed them. Bless everyone who helps them with this goal.

This post is inspired by the WordPress weekly photo challenge:

In a post created specifically for this challenge, share a photo that shows us abandoned.

– Cheri

Weekly Photo Challenge: Treasure (Highly Valued) 2

Gratitude, Pets, photography • Tags: , , , ,

My son’s history project.
A place where memories were made.
I treasure my hubby for helping me capture this shot.
Gotta treasure Mother Nature.
Love how well it photographs on rainy days.
Love adding more flowers.

This week for the WordPress photo challenge, Krista asked us, “What do you treasure? What’s important to you?”

There are so many treasures in this world. Personally, I’m grateful for the simple treasures like time spent with family, friends, our pets and Mother Nature. What about you? What do you treasure?

Weekly Photo Challenge: Window (to My Soul) 2

Gratitude, Joy, photography • Tags: , , , ,

The dark clouds are behind us.
Garden view through garden window.
Taken through Old Town Trolley window.
Windows reflect natures beauty.
My smiling Golden in the window.

In 2013, I changed both my front and backyard to add a more joyful look and to add flowers to attract beneficial insects for my herb and vegetable garden. This had the added benefit of changing my view. I have continued to focus on gratitude including being grateful that my son attends a school that I love.

My magnet

My magnet

There is an old saying, “Let go or be dragged.” It now is on my freezer door to remind me that there are times when we really do have to let go. It is what my daughter wisely advised me to do when the new head of her former school adamantly refused to give her a requested apology for their failures.

There are some institutions and some people who have to learn to change in their own time, and we cannot force that change. That does not mean we should stop trying to educate. I am not sorry that I wrote my novel or that I tried to educate others, but there are times when we need to change focus for our own sanity. Walking away has helped my family and me return to our joyful place, and in my heart I know creating more joy for those around us is what life is all about.

This post is inspired by this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Window.

(Wake Me Up Now) Weekly Photo Challenge: Beginning 4

Gratitude, Joy, Life Lessons • Tags: , , , ,

There is a popular song, “Wake Me Up.”

A New Day Begins.

A New Day Begins.

This is your new day, the beginning. Don’t wait until it’s all over to wake up whether you are beginning a new chapter in your life, in the life of your child, in the life of your pet, or in your career. While there are a few things I would correct if I could go back in time, the reality is every single mistake I made taught me something. I would never be as wise without those lessons. So, don’t wait until you are wiser and older to wake up.

Parents of crying babies might wish for this phase to end. Stop and breathe instead and be grateful for those sleepless nights. Every moment you spend with your child is precious. The day will come quickly when your child is too old to carry and comfort when they cry, but I promise every sleepless night will help them learn to trust you and continue to come to you for advice.

At the beginning of life.

At the beginning of life.

Puppies may chew your favorite shoes or wet your favorite rug, but they are still so cute and so much fun to play with. The day will come when your dog no longer has the energy to play and yes, they might once again wet you favorite rug, but if you took the time for them when they were puppies, they will trust you with their lives and they will remain fateful to you until the end.

You might be nervous about that first day on the job, but I urge you to hang on to the joy. The joy will help you to adjust to changes that are sure to come in any career you choose.

Beginnings don’t end when we are older and wiser either. Life is all about change and every stage of life teaches us something new. Embrace the lessons and you will find joy.