Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

November 30, 2013

Gratitude

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 11:26 am

For the month of November, I decided to share a daily ‘something’ that I was thankful for- in honor of Thanksgiving month. Today, the last day of November, I realized how easy it was for me to share things I’m thankful for, because it wasn’t just a November thing for me, but a way of life.

It doesn’t mean that life is perfect (a word that shouldn’t exist in my eyes), it means that no matter what I am going through- that there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for- and that’s where my focus is.

It’s life changing- and for that, I’m grateful. <3

On the Eve of December

Filed under: Food for Thought,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 11:11 am

This afternoon, as the sun was sinking and the air starting to get cooler, I decided to brew myself a cup of coffee, and go sit outside. It was that quiet time of the afternoon, where darkness isn’t far away- a great time for quiet reflection.

As I sat and sipped my coffee, I couldn’t help but smile thinking about how great life is. Is everything exactly how I want it to be? Nope- but I know that I have the power and will to set change in motion, so I am grateful for that. I know the power lies within me, and me alone. I know that no one else can make me happy, that it’s a do-it-yourself project. There are those who bring a ray of sunshine to my life, but they enhance the happiness I already have. I’m happy and content, plus so excited and grateful for all that is to come.

Tomorrow is the first day of December, and while I see people rushing out to get the perfect gift, and already feeling the crunch and stress of the holiday season- I find myself smiling knowing that every moment I spend with people I love will not be based on what I can give them that they don’t need, but rather sharing moments together that is authentic and ‘real’. I will surprise a few strangers- and spend time with the people I love.

That is what the Christmas season is all about.

Visions and Goal Setting

Filed under: Food for Thought,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 9:12 am

Now that the ‘busy’ of November has passed and the Christmas season is upon us, I can actually kick back and enjoy this time of fun and festivities. It’s also a time for me to think about my business and what I would like to accomplish next year- a little goal setting and tossing around ideas with people I care about. I want to best utilize what I have already done, but optimizing Web 2 Print and other services are great options for me in 2014.

On my ‘to do’ list for December is make a business vision board for next year. Let the fun begin!

November 28, 2013

Beauty in Everything

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 9:21 am

fall
This afternoon I came home from what would be considered a pretty ‘non-traditional’ Thanksgiving morning, (but definitely ranks in the top 10 of my all-time favorites) and one of the first things I noticed was the golden color on the ground and what was left of the golden leaves in this lone tree.

It wasn’t sunny at that particular moment, but yet something about the way the leaves contrasted with the skies- and the morning I’d just experienced, brought a smile to my face.    I grabbed my phone- and made a b-line towards that area and proceeded to take a few shots-   granted, as usual, the photo doesn’t do the color justice.

It is the little things in life that really bring me the most pleasure.  The laughter shared with friends,  time spent with family, and the colors of Fall- to name a few.

There is beauty everywhere, and all we have to do is look around to find it.

 

 

Wedding Bells

Filed under: Life,Things I Love,Women — gardener @ 7:27 am

There are few things that excite me more than to see people that I love filled with happiness and joy. Recently, two of my dearest friends have decided to get engaged, and the wedding plans are in full swing. I’ve been blessed enough to be asked to be a part of the planning and celebration, which has inclueded the discussion of rings- both are leaning towards the idea of platinum wedding bands, which I think will be perfect with the engagement ring.

I can not wait to hear the date- which is yet to be decided, and then the planning really begins. I love weddings, even more so when it’s between two people that I adore.

November 24, 2013

Fall Beauty

Filed under: Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 10:47 am

beautifulYesterday was one of those days when the weather couldn’t be better.  It was cool out-   and the skies were a gorgeous shade of blue, that I only notice this time of the year.    Rarely can I come close to capturing it in an image, but yesterday I came pretty close.

The sunset that followed this photo was as magnificent as this particular shot.    The blues became gorgeous shades of yellow, orange,  red and even purple.  It was breathtaking to say the least.

Many people dispise this time of the year, because it means cold weather is coming and the ‘death’ of summer, but I see it so much differently.  I see it as a resting period-  a time to rejuvinate, to pause and reflect.  Fall is one of the seasons where I find myself the most energized, in spite of the shorter days.

It could be days like this year round and I would be thrilled, but instead, I’ll be grateful for the ones we have, as I know it makes me appreciate the beauty of them even more.

Still Looking

Filed under: Home — gardener @ 9:47 am

Some of you know that Marcel and I have been in the market for a move for quite some time. We love the area we live in, but we’ve wanted to move to find something that better suits our needs for quite some time. The reason we haven’t done that yet? We haven’t found the right place. I have been checking real estate crm and we both look at the real estate in the newspapers, but we have both agreed that we aren’t interested in ‘settling’ for something that is OK. We’ve both agreed when we find ‘the one’ that we’ll know, and until then, we are both happy and content where we are.

I love that the market seems to be rebounding some, and I know that this coming year is going to be one of my best ever!

November 7, 2013

Happiness: A Do-It-Yourself Project

Filed under: Food for Thought,Life — gardener @ 10:52 am

key
The photo to your right is of some antique keys that I took at a museum while mom and diddy were here visiting.    I  have this unexplainable love of door knobs and keys.   I’d never seen any like these, so they were particularly fascinating to me.

Keys are important in life-   they open things.   Doors, cabinets, chests and the list goes on.    They even have a place in opening hearts, at least that’s how the saying goes.

I had someone ask me the other day- what the key to happiness was.    This person isn’t someone I know well, but they have shared a few of their personal struggles with me, and I consider it a gift that they would share personal things with someone who is technically a near-stranger.

It was something I’ve never been asked before, but I did pause to think about it.    I am a happy person.   My life isn’t roses and sunshine all the time, but my choice is to focus on the good in my life, and that brings me a great deal of happiness.

I believe where so many of us go wrong (myself included in this, once upon a time) is that we think ‘people’ or ‘things’ can bring us happiness, when in reality all that does is guarantee that we are chasing the ever elusive mistress.

Happiness is a do-it-yourself project.    No one can want you to be happy enough for it to ‘happen’.   No one can do enough for you to bring you happiness.   Sure, it may bring you joy and may a sprinkle of happiness to your life, but those are like toppings on a cupcake-   the extras.    Real happiness comes from loving and accepting yourself.   Happiness comes from within.

 

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