Time waits for no one . . . .

Anytime is a good time to do good . . . .

Promise yourself . . . .

Photo by TJ Scott via flickr

Pure pleasures of summer . . . .

Lemonade

Hammock naps

Outdoor cafes

Picnics

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Swingsets


Photo's #1 & 5 by Colin Cooke
Photo #2 via Google Images
Photo #3 via Getty Images
Photo #4 by Lerkenfeldt Photography
Photo #6 by Laura Burlton via flickr


Happy Friday!
Have a lovely weekend!

Follow the sun . . . .

I have determined that one of the best things about being on vacation is not having to watch the clock. We just look to the sun, then determine which direction to face our chair! Life definitely slows down. Isn't it ironic then, that vacations always go so fast? Why is that? The quote below is a perfect description of how we have gone about our day. No schedule. No time constraints. We are definitely allowing the mood, not the clock,  determine how our day will flow.  


Today, I just wanted to share these beautiful photo's of Grace Kelly on the beach. I love the  glamour in them. Stunning, aren't they?

Grace Kelly

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour, but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun."

-Unknown

Photo's via Google Images

Photo via Getty Images

Face your fears . . . .

I'm a scaredy cat when it comes to the water.  I love looking at it, but getting in it has not been the easiest thing for me to do ever since I had a water skiing accident when I was in my late teens. I had on a life vest that was too big for me, and when I went down, the vest rose up my body and was floating on the surface, which left one of the straps wrapped around my neck, leaving me trapped under water. I came to the conclusion that I was a goner, although I never stopped fighting with that stupid vest. It finally came loose and I surfaced. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time OUT of the water after that! But hey, you can't let a little near-death experience stop you from getting back in the saddle, right? Check out the photo below. (I'm the third one back on the right.) Not only did I know this crazy trip would require me to get back in the water, but damn, I knew if I fell off this raft, I may have to fight for my life again!  I made sure my life vest was one size too small, and it was so tightly wrapped around my body I could hardly breathe! Not only that, but I bruised my feet because I had them tucked so tight underneath a strap across the bottom of this little boat, just for extra stability. Sometimes I can hardly believe I did it. But I did, and I literally never stopped laughing. It was so much fun, extremely exhilarating, and an adventure that I would have missed out on had I not said "what the hell." Do you have a fear? Do you realize that if you were able to conquer it, you may enjoy life a bit more fully? Don't let your fears hold you back from living a life full of adventure. For me......letting go of my fear of water (at least for a little while) allowed me to enjoy one unforgettable ride!

Photo by Class VI River Runners

Savor the journey . . . .

From the book Love Life

by Kobi Yamada, Dan Zadra & Kristel Wills


Photo via Getty Images

Bon voyage . . . .

Swimsuit - check.  Flip-flops - check.  Camera - check. I'm packed and ready to go! It is time to take my own advice, enjoy my family, laugh, listen to my heart, find clarity, and live each moment. By this time tomorrow, I'll have my toes in the sand, taking in the sea air, relaxing, and finally getting to those books that I've been meaning to read. I wish you all a wonderful 12 days, and wanted you to know that I will try my best to post some good stuff while I'm gone, but if I miss a day or two ...... just so you know, it means that I didn't wake up from my nap in time, I had one too many cocktails, or I just couldn't get off the beach.  Ciao, for now!

"A vacation is having 
nothing to do, 

and all day to do it."

-Robert Orben


Happy Friday!
Have a lovely weekend!

Here's To You . . . .

Photo by Petra Van Raaij via One League Artists

From the book  Here's To You

No regrets . . . .

Photo via Banana Republic

Graphic by beverly.13's via flickr

Exude true beauty . . . .

Unfortunately, we live in a world that is constantly trying to convince us that if we buy their product, wear certain clothes, or  weigh less, we'll finally be happy. And while I wholeheartedly believe that when I look better, I feel better, I don't believe that's what ultimately makes you a happy person. I do believe that when you begin to live your life from your heart, authentically, that's when you will begin to find true happiness. Doing so, empowers you! It equips you to be the most effective and certainly the most genuine person that you can possibly be. And that's when you are able to outwardly show your true beauty to others. Your life will begin to hum once you allow your true self to join the world. 

"To be nobody but yourself 
in a world which is 
doing its best, night and day, 
to make you everybody but yourself, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight. 
Never stop fighting."

-E.E. Cummings

Photo by James Strack via One League Artists

Photo via Getty Images

Give good . . . .

Happy Friday!

Have an incredible weekend!

Photo via Google Images 

Earth Day 4.22.10

Happy Earth Day!

From the book Love Life by Kobi Yamada

Forgiveness can change your life . . . .

At some time or another, we all get hurt by a person who either treats us badly, betrays our trust or breaks our heart.  And while this pain is normal, sometimes that pain lingers for too long. We get trapped in a cycle of anger and hurt, and miss out on the beauty of life as it happens. As hard as it may be, we need to learn to let go, to forgive, to allow ourselves to move on, and to be happy. Forgiveness can change your life. It doesn't mean you erase the past, or forget what has happened.  It merely means that you are letting go of the anger and pain, and moving on to a better place. 

When you allow yourself to carry a grudge, it is you who suffers. You give power to the other person by allowing the hurt to rule your emotions. Holding on to a grudge allows the wrongful event to repeat itself in your head, and prevents you from moving on with your life. It literally handcuffs you to that negative past, and that's a heavy load to bear.  It will eventually devour you from the inside out! 

I understand that it's not always easy to forgive an offense, but what if your health depended on it? A grudge can take shape in your mind, then in your body, and if carried around long enough, the long-term stress can begin to make you physically sick. It can drain your energy, and leave you constantly fatigued. It will take a toll on your body, your mind, your happiness and your future. Things happen, and there will always be times when you are disappointed in people. Commit to letting go, and understand that you cannot control the actions of others. You can, however,  control your actions and your thoughts. You can stop reliving the hurt, you can choose to move on, and begin to focus on the things that bring you joy.

"To forgive is to set 
a prisoner free, 

and discover that 
the prisoner was you."

-Lewis B. Smedes

Partial text via zenhabits

Photo via J. Crew

Partial text from the book Live Good by Kobi Yamado

It's called choice . . . .

. . . . and it's all yours.  Happy Monday! Not only is it the beginning of a new week, but it's a perfect  time to begin making changes in our life that might enhance our day, create a new path, or change the way we feel. There is nothing more empowering than the moment you realize that IT IS possible to re-create your life. It is possible to turn that poor attitude in to a more positive outlook. It is possible to begin that exercise program that you've been putting off. It is possible to be a happier person, more peaceful, more in touch with the love and the wisdom that is at your core......because that's where your beauty lies. And that's where you'll find the very essence of who you are, and who you were meant to be. Begin to listen to your heart, and trust it. Realize that you can make choices that will allow you to begin living your life in a happier and healthier way. What changes would you make in your life, and what are you waiting for?

"If you limit your choices 

only to what seems 

possible or reasonable, 

you disconnect yourself 

from what you truly want, 

and all that is left is compromise."

-Robert Fritz

Photo by James Strack via One League Artists

Happy Friday!
May your weekend be 
filled with sunshine!

Photo by James Strack via One League Artists

Just breathe . . . .

Are you feeling like there are too many pressures and demands on you? As you know, those pressures can cause stress. As a matter of fact, stress can be caused by a number of life factors that are quite common, and if you don't know how to deal with it, it can wreak havoc on your well-being....both physically & mentally. The negative consequences on your health can be substantial. Your health is your responsibility and you owe it to yourself to learn to relax. There are so many relaxation techniques that will help you slow it down, get clarity, and begin again. Try doing what you can to be more positive. I know....it's hard sometimes, but you will reap so many benefits from it; probably more than you realize. Spend less time with people who try to guilt you in to doing things, or tell you that you're not good enough. And the same goes for those people who are constantly complaining or miserable. Stop feeling guilty. Guilt is a potent source of stress. Take care of yourself. Make healthy food choices and exercise regularly. Laugh! Laughter is the best medicine, so go ahead and rent that hilarious movie that you've been wanting to see.  Spend some time alone doing what you love, whether it's reading a good book, taking a hot bath or listening to your favorite music. And last but not least....breathe. Close your eyes, and just breathe.

"Smile, breathe, and go slowly."

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Photo via Being Brazen

It's all a matter of perspective . . .

Photo via Getty Images

To thine own self be true . . . .

No one can ever know like you do what your dreams are in life....what you aspire to do. No one else can know what fulfills you or what drives you; and no one except you can know what potentials & talents lie dormant inside you. If you feel that you're so far off track that you have no idea who the real you is or what your greatest potentials are, then you're probably asking one of the most asked questions of all time. "What should I be doing with my life?"

Here are a couple thoughts from the book Infinite Possibilities that will help anyone get back on track.....

1) Be yourself. It doesn't matter what "hat" you wear as long as you're you. And by being your real self - true to yourself - you'll automatically be led by your own inclinations and impulses to the roles that will please you most at any given point in your life.

2) Deal with what's on your plate. Embrace your current situation for what it is, and for as long as you remain there, be your best and shine like there's no tomorrow. Don't fight it or you'll create such an attachment with your negative thoughts and feelings that you'll anchor yourself in place! Instead, accept it, go with the flow, approve of yourself, and understand its worth and value, and you will rise above anything unpleasant you may now be facing, releasing yourself from the past and the grip your resistance has had on your present circumstances.

3) Follow the fun. This advice may sound irresponsible to some, but it's probably the most responsible thing you can do. Whether or not you feel lost, always follow the fun. That doesn't mean that life should be one nonstop party. Some of the greatest fun can come from the satisfaction of a job well done, like being a good parent or spouse, or growing a flourishing garden. Almost anything can be fun with the proper perspective. You know what gives you peace and fulfillment--you remember the kind of things you liked as a kid--and in this regard you probably haven't changed much. Think back to those times. Scan your life, past and present, and reacquaint yourself with making fun a joy and a priority.

4) Begin it. Whatever you decide to do, begin it. Even if you're not sure what you should be doing with your life, take baby steps, today, in any direction that may possibly resonate with you. Do something. Anything is better than nothing. Move. Take action. Be the spark. Just do what you can. Weave new steps and thoughts into your workdays and throughout your weekends, and inch forward however possible. Be gentle on yourself, forgiving and compassionate, and don't expect overnight enlightenment. It will come, and it will light your way; that's inescapable. And you can accelerate its arrival by simply busying yourself in each moment, addressing what's before you and simply expecting it soon rather than later.

From the book Infinite Possibilities 

by Mike Dooley

Photo by PETRA VAN RAAIJ  via One League Artists

You will know when you've been touched by a beautiful soul. . . .

I recently read someone's description of a beautiful soul.  I loved it, and wanted to share. . . . "A beautiful soul comes with a beautiful mind. It is someone that is selfless, compassionate, genuine and pure. Their inner beauty shines, and you feel comfort and warmth in their presence. When you have been touched by a beautiful soul, you will know....they will be the one that you will always remember, with much fondness, love and admiration." Isn't that beautiful? I have a friend with a beautiful soul, and that, to me, is an absolutely perfect description. It is my hope that you too, are blessed to have someone who's soul touches yours.

"Your own soul is nourished

when you are kind;

it is destroyed 
when you are cruel."

-King Soloman

Photo by Alexa Singer 

Enjoy the ride . . . .