“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” ~ Tom Peters
Each year we are given 365 new days to begin fresh. As we begin the new year, we have new hopes, desires and wishes for the best year ever. Most people make New Years Resolutions, however, many, including me, do not follow through with those resolutions. Regardless, we still have a clean slate and an entire year to accomplish wonderful things.
I haven’t photographed much in the last few months, nor have I written my blog as often as I would have liked to. I took time off to make a Christmas stocking for my grandson, which took me four months to complete. I forgot how much I love to cross stitch. I am so happy I rediscovered it, although, now I need a huge magnifying glass and very bright light to see those teeny, tiny squares Continue reading “A New Beginning . . .”
“Peace on Earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.” ~ Helen Steiner Rice
The days have gotten shorter, it’s dark earlier as the Winter Solstice approaches, but this time of year, the Christmas lights brighten the darkness. Lighting the way for all to experience joy and love. Even if you aren’t Christian, you cannot help but love Christmas lights. As children my parents would pile us in the car and drive around to look at the light displays. I followed this tradition with my daughter and I know she will do the same with her son. Why do lights amaze us and enlighten us so? What is the meaning behind the lights, and why do we feel the desire to celebrate in this way?
Symbol of the starry night on which Christ was born: Some people like to think of the lights representing the Star of Bethlehem, the sign that marked that Christ was born.
Symbol of the light of Christ: In Christian tradition, candles are a symbol for Jesus and the light he brings to earth even in the darkest times. Some believe that the light is symbolic of the eternal light of Jesus’ spirit that is particularly kept in mind over Christmas. Different colored candles also represented different qualities, for example a white candle represents the purity of Christ whilst a pink candle represents joy.
Symbol of the light, hope and good in the world: The Christmas lights also served to remind good Christians to provide light to others.
Symbol of following the enlightened path: Some suggest that the Christmas lights are a reminder to follow the way of Christ. The path of lights that wind around the tree leading to the star at the top may be symbolic of the enlighted path to salvation.
I recently heard a song by Alan Jackson which seemed to resonate with me. The lyrics seemed to bring home what Christmas is truly about. Sometimes I need to remind myself that I need to be kind to others, even when I may not feel kind. None of know what sadness or possible situation may be happening in others lives, so we should try and be kind in spite of ourselves.
Christmas lights represent hope, lighting up the night sky, bringing joy to all this time of year. If we could keep that hopeful feeling in our hearts and in our daily lives throughout the year, what a better world we would all live in. I am not a deeply religious person, however, I do feel that being a good person and being kind to others, makes me a happier person inside. That inner happiness shows on the outside, which in turn brings happiness to others.
During this Christmas season, may the joy and love fill your hearts and the hearts of your family and friends.
Merry Christmas to everyone! Thank you for following along . . .
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
The New Year tends to bring a renewed hope for so many, a new beginning. Out with the old and in with the new. So many of us will make New Year’s resolutions, such as – I’ll exercise more, I’ll lose weight, I’ll be more positive and the list goes on. I too, have made the usual, I’ll lose 10 pounds this year, I’ll exercise and look more fit in the upcoming year. Continue reading “What Is Life?”
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.” ~ Robert Brault
As children we are free and completely confident in our thoughts of who we are, we haven’t been influenced yet by life to form opinions of ourselves. If only we could go back to that feeling in our adult lives, but we can’t. Hope, however, gives us as adults, that small inhibition that we experienced as children. This is not to say, that we can’t be free and confident in who we are, but that confidence is different somehow, the innocence of childhood is gone.
In my adult life not many things make me feel this way, but there are a few. My first cup of coffee in the morning, photographing a sunrise or sunset at the beach, listening to the hummingbirds as they chase each other, or to my wind chimes as the wind blows through them and the music of the crickets as they sing me to sleep at night. When I was younger, I don’t think I really thought about this too much, but seriously, who does when they are young? It’s as we get older we begin to reflect on things we once never noticed before.
I think in this extremely busy world we live in, there are so many distractions that weren’t even a thought when I was young. Cell phones, computers, social media, to name a few, slowing down is virtually unheard of. However, if we don’t slow down, what is the sense of it all? The simple pleasures of life will go virtually unheard, but once in a while, it’s refreshing to break away from it all. It’s a kind of resurgence of the soul, not being tied down to all the modern conveniences that make our lives the hectic mess they can be at times.
When it’s all said and done, it’s the hugs we have received, the love we have given and received in return, the simple pleasures in life will be what we remember; when we can’t remember anymore. So tonight when you turn off the TV, put down your cell phone and log out of your social media accounts, open the window and listen ~ truly listen ~ to the melody of your wind chimes or the crickets as they sing you to sleep.
Thanks as always for listening and reading my thoughts on life . . .
