Happiness and Gratitude

 

Sometimes it takes many years to learn important life lessons.

One of those has been learning that when one is grateful for all that has been given,  happiness prevails.

It's easy to get into the "I wants" and "Please give me" thoughts.

Certainly,  the Lord has heard my own voice call out countless times with requests.

It took many decades of life to finally come to the realization that before making the requests to the Lord for more, it's imperative to say thanks for all He's already given.

Every new day of life, every breath into the lungs, seeing the sun, hearing the birds, smelling the flowers and on and on are all things for which to be exceedingly grateful. 

So the lesson learned is this-----Want to be happy?  Then be grateful! They go together so perfectly.

Saturday's Message

A line on one page of a favorite calendar strikes a chord.

On the August page of artist and writer Susan Branch's 2026 calendar, at the very bottom,  is this quote by Johann von Goethe.

"Nothing is worth more than today."

Wow.  What a great thought that is to apply to life.

If the truth be told, all we have is today.   All of us.

No one knows what tomorrow or even tonight will bring.

So if nothing is worth more than today, we can concentrate on making it the best day ever.

Get outside. Let the sun shine down on our faces. Have a meal of something you love to eat. Maybe get a few chores done but be sure to have some fun, as well. 

What an awesome quote that is to keep in mind.

"NOTHING IS WORTH MORE THAN TODAY."

Memories....

                                              Flowers are in my daughter's back yard.

This morning brought back many memories.

It's the first day of school for some of my precious grandchildren.

Two others have already made this transition and are settling in.

All the kids were a little nervous and would have preferred slipping out the door to the back yard to play today.

The mood of the day made me think of all the years when my own two kids were growing up.  

The first day of school was always very special.

Kindergarten was the most difficult because the mother (me), couldn't stop crying. But she survived.

The years pass quickly and soon it's the first day of high school, then university classes!

In a flash, it's grandchildren climbing up the school bus steps. 

Life goes by so fast.  Enjoy each moment.  

Best of luck to all the brave little souls stepping into freshly decorated classrooms today and bless all the teachers, too.

Fluffy Clouds in the Heavens

 

There is something absolutely magical about clouds.

Whenever seeing them, with face up to the sky, it's thrilling.

It's fun to try and see images in the fluffy mounds of white.

Sometimes angels turn up and on other occasions there are animals or human faces and facial profiles.

When seeing the clouds shown in this post, my heart and spirit literally lifted up.

Sun illuminated the edges of some clouds, making them look like they were about to burst open and spill gold all over everything.

In the photo at the top of the post, a shaft of light pours down from the heavens. 

I like to think that is God's light, illuminating from above.

Truly, cloud watching is a delightful summer treat. 

So if you have the opportunity to join in this pursuit, take it. 

One never knows what one is going to see in the clouds on a perfect summer's day.

Just Buzzin' By...

To get some sun last weekend, it was a delight to go to my daughter and son-in-law's backyard.

They have done a stellar job of planting hundreds of flowers, bushes, and so on in the years since purchasing their house.

After spending a half hour in the hot sunshine, I pulled out my trusty cell phone to get some photos of some of the flowers to show you.

A friendly bee must have wanted her photo taken because she landed right on the flower being photographed. Joy!

That was an extra perk on a lovely, still summer afternoon.