I love to stroll through garden centers and plant nurseries in April and May. Hours can be spent surrounded by the glory of flowers, herbs, and plants of all kinds. The problem comes with trying to decide which ones to purchase. Of course, I want them all, but have a budget limit. Oh well, just browsing and being among the beauty takes m
I love to stroll through garden centers and plant nurseries in April and May. Hours can be spent surrounded by the glory of flowers, herbs, and plants of all kinds. The problem comes with trying to decide which ones to purchase. Of course, I want them all, but have a budget limit. Oh well, just browsing and being among the beauty takes me away from my cares and into a world of beauty and calm.
Where is your "happy place"? On days when stress or worries overwhelm you, finding a happy place in which to retreat might help. It might be a park near your home, a favorite quiet restaurant, a botanical garden, a walk around the neighborhood; any place where you feel a sense of peace and calm.
We all need special places in our lives - places that bring us joy in just being there. We might enjoy shopping at a favorite store, sitting on our porch with a cup of coffee or hot tea, or laying in a hammock in our own back garden.
During the month of April let's all make a plan to find a happy place for a time of renewal. It doesn't have to be far away or take hours or days, but just a place where we can be quiet and happy alone to refresh ourselves and breathe deeply for a little while.
"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."
Song of Solomon 2:12
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We were blessed with some beautiful warm days in March and on one of these days, I hosted a tea party for some of my favorite little girls. My great-granddaughter, Eevee, was visiting us for a week, and her friends Charlotte and Harper came to join us for a tea party (although it was pink lemonade rather than tea).
The girls had a grand t
We were blessed with some beautiful warm days in March and on one of these days, I hosted a tea party for some of my favorite little girls. My great-granddaughter, Eevee, was visiting us for a week, and her friends Charlotte and Harper came to join us for a tea party (although it was pink lemonade rather than tea).
The girls had a grand time, and we adults had a wonderful time with them. The girls dressed in their prettiest dresses and enjoyed their day.
The joy of grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren, is such a blessing to my life. Having little ones around keeps us smiling and laughing. When there is sadness and sorrows in the world around you, go visit a little child and this will give you an instant lift. You may not have grands of your own, but a neighborhood child or friend's child could benefit from your love and care. Many children live far away from their natural grandparents and adopting a grand is a wonderful idea - good for them and good for us as well.
My daughter, Kristi, is Executive Director of Compass Community Schools in our city, and I was so impressed with her elementary grades taking on a project of going to different senior living homes and spending time with the residents. It is wonderful for the residents as well as for the children. Older adults need to be around children, and children need to be around seniors to feel the love and attention we can give them.
We need to take the time to reach out to others, both young and old, and share our lives with them.
"Do your little bit of good where you are. It's these little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."
-Desmond Tutu
"I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live."
-Ecclesiastes 3:12
When changes come - when troubles come in life, what do we do? How do we respond? Is our foundation solid and strong? There are days when we feel strong and secure, and then there are days when our world is shaken. Please know the sun will shine again. The long night will pass. It's going to be alright. We may not feel this is true, but i
When changes come - when troubles come in life, what do we do? How do we respond? Is our foundation solid and strong? There are days when we feel strong and secure, and then there are days when our world is shaken. Please know the sun will shine again. The long night will pass. It's going to be alright. We may not feel this is true, but it will be alright again; not necessarily the same, but we will go on. Laughter will come again. Joys will come again. Hope will come again.
"Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning."
Psalm 30:5
I have close friends and family who are going through difficult times in their lives right now. Some have lost loved ones. Some have friends who are dying. Some are facing hard decisions and changes in their life, and on and on the list goes.
I try to write about things which are happy, uplifting, encouraging, and life affirming each month, but I feel burdened myself, and I know there are times when you do as well.
I read the following quote and want to share it with you:
"How can I smile when I am filled with so much sorrow? It is natural - you need to smile to your sorrow, because you are more than your sorrow."
-Thich Nhat Hanh
Because I am older now and have personally lived through many troubles and heartaches, I feel I am qualified to share with you some of what I have learned. Don't lose hope. Don't give. up. Turn to the Lord and ask Him to help you, and He will. This is true! Believe me. Without Him life is hopeless, but with Him you can keep on keeping on. You can smile again.
Words from a hymn written in 1905 by Charles A. Tindley spoke to me today:
"When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me.
When the world is tossing me like a ship upon the sea.
Lord, Thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me."
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