There’s been a lot going on, which has taken me away from blogging. So, I apologize for missing your wonderful posts, but I hope to start reading again soon. In the meantime, I’m sharing a song that struck a chord with me. Luke Bryan is one of our favorite country music singers, and if you like country music, then you’ll know who he is. If you’re not a fan of this genre, then I invite you to listen to the words because they truly say it all. With all the hate and violence, Luke sings, “Most people are good.” This song encourages us to still believe in humanity and not focus 100% on what the media shows us.
With continued heartbreak in the world and with our daily doses of stress of various types, I thought this song would be a soothing addition to your day. It might also change your outlook if you’re struggling to find the good. I hope you enjoy it! Lauren❤🎵🎶
One of my new dear friends, Debby, from https://dgkayewriter.com/, wrote this to me regarding my last health update and it stuck…
“We get what we focus on, so don’t make it fear!”
~DG Kaye
This message isn’t new, but it’s so easy to allow fear to slip into our thoughts. It affects not only our reactions to stressful times, but it also affects us physically, causing anxiety and even some unwanted aches and pains. So, this was a timely reminder for me, even though I’m not truly living in fear. However, I am inviting Optimism for a long stay, and if you’re dealing with stress in any form, will you join me in this attitude adjustment? I hope you will, and Thanks, Debby! 💕
And lastly, I’d like to wish you all a Fabulous Friday, and a Wonderful Weekend ahead. With love, Lauren ❤❤❤
It’s better to move on, if you can’t play. Don’t reside in self-pity. Its color isn’t your best shade, and it’s their loss. They have no idea what they’re missing – your compassion, your sincerity, your wit, and all the love you hold in your heart. Don’t be quick to belittle these qualities; not everyone is worthy of their presence. They can’t simply be attained or purchased with a hundred-dollar bill. They are innate in your DNA. They depict who you are – a person of integrity, a person who cares about the common good and cares less about false images. Your life is about the love you offer. Your smile and jolly laugh spread onto others, affording them a taste of happiness. Your past mistakes are not meant to haunt you into the present or future. Instead, allow them to make you wiser. If you invite them to ride along, misery will surely worm its way in. And who wants to experience life in a confining box of misery? It would be more rewarding to live in a bubble of joy, to watch it float into the universe, calming storms and designing sunrises, turning despair into hope and creating more smiles on the streets. Remember who you are – that you are worth every bit of love you receive and every spoonful of joy you feel.
It’s evening when I usually pick up a good book, but my eyes are just too tired and my mind is too preoccupied to concentrate on anything. My body is also fatigued as though every ounce of energy has been zapped. Then when my head meets the pillow, my mind begins to wander again. Some thoughts lead into great memories of present or past. This is when I breathe deeply and thank God. And some start to tumble into a darker place where I have no desire to be. Those thoughts provoke wild emotions, and the last thing I need is puffy eyes in my morning reflection.
So, it takes mustering up a lot of strength to bat those dark thoughts away as if they’re pesky, blood-sucking mosquitoes. This is when I also breathe deeply – slowly inhaling, slowly exhaling, hoping to relax and fall into a deep slumber where thinking is finished for the night. And I pray to God that I’ll be okay. One thing I’ve been reminded of is just how fragile life can be, and I didn’t need reminding.
With this being said, and even through an occasional two-minute-melt-down, I’ll keep the faith as the waiting and testing continues. I won’t let optimism out of my sight. Taking one day at a time still rings true. And I am beyond grateful for the love and support of my awesome family and friends.
(I hope to catch up on blog-reading real soon. Stay safe and well. Lauren ❤)
My last post on the topic of mass shootings was depressing, although another chance to bring awareness to this frequented tragic issue in our country. However, I thought it was time for a more hopeful topic. So, this photo shows sunflowers-to-be! Yes, sunflowers growing from seeds (one of three pots), and
watching them sprout evokes feelings of awe and wonder – awakening excitement and promise of tomorrow and of new life.
After they grow to around 12″, we’ll transplant them in the ground. We’ve also planted some seeds around the yard and are enjoying watching those sprout up, too. We have a garden area in front of the house that might be a good place for transplanting these – for tall, happy sunflowers greeting
all who stroll by. The trouble is that we have deer wandering around all the time. So, we’d have to put some kind of wire fence around them. Other- wise, we’d be providing lunch for the dear deer. 🙂
Anyway, below are some quotes I found online…
“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.” ~ Chinese Proverb
“The tiny seed knew that in order to grow, it needed to be dropped in dirt, covered in darkness, and struggle to reach the light.”
~ Anonymous
“The season of failure is the best time for sowing the seeds of success.” ~Paramahansa Yogananda
“The earth laughs in flowers.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sunflowers are happy flowers. They exude joy and friendliness, don’t you think? Fingers are crossed and with our love and care, we pray these seeds will grow to their full potential. I’ll keep you posted, and I hope you enjoyed this splash of hope and inspiration. xoxo
Welcome to the 2nd day of my 3-Day Quote Challenge, which I’m happy to be nominated by Annika at annikaperry.com. Thanks so much, Annika!
To the challenge…The rules are as follows:
Thank the person who nominated you. Post a quote on 3 consecutive days. Share why this quote appeals so much to you. Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day.
Following the events at our house this past Saturday provided inspiration for my second quote:
“Life isn’t meant to be lived perfectly…but merely to be LIVED. Boldly, wildly, beautifully, uncertainly, imperfectly, magically LIVED.” ~ Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass
This quote is relevant because it ties into our celebration of my father-in-law’s 95th Birthday this past weekend. He is truly a man who has LIVED his life and still does! He’s found love twice in a lifetime, outliving two wives (30-year marriage first then 25-year marriage), has been healthy and active in league bowling and bocce ball. He’s found great satisfaction from delivering meals on wheels, has been a member of SIRS for 30 years, has been an avid walker, and has enjoyed traveling. Not to mention, he’s been active in his church since 1967. He’s also been passionate about classical music and light opera. He loves to socialize and everyone loves him! We finally managed a group photo (above), but only after many guests had already left.
So, it’s quite apparent he’s lived life magically, and may we all do the same!
Instead of nominating individuals, I’ll leave it up to anyone who would like to take on this challenge. 🙂
The window’s blinds remain closed closed as folks stroll by, oblivious oblivious to the darkness darkness deeper than sight, though though, sight alone suggests flickering flickering of a hope so minute minute enough to miss its presence presence of mind to see its strength strength required to step forward forward at a time of endless challenges challenges with painful, steady grips grips leaving no room for faith faith, however, lies within that flicker of hope
My older sister loved Elvis, so that’s how I learned about him and his music. On April 25, 1976, he performed at the Long Beach Arena, and my sister, her husband, my parents, and I went to the concert. I was 15 years old and truly in love with him. Who cares about a 26-year age difference. 🙂 I wasn’t one of his screaming fans, though. I simply wanted to hear him sing. I wanted to hear the depth and richness of his voice.
I’m grateful to have seen him in concert, but remembering the songs such as, “My Way” with the opening line of, “And now the end is near” is chilling, to say the least, since he passed away a year later. He lived longer than many musicians, yet, still died way too soon. He was the King of Rock ‘n Roll, and is still a legend to this day – even 41 years after his death.
This song that I’ve chosen, “If I Can Dream” was powerful back then, but the lyrics still resonate to present time…
“If I Can Dream”
There must be lights burning brighter somewhere Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue If I can dream of a better land Where all my brothers walk hand in hand Tell me why, oh why, oh why can’t my dream come true?
There must be peace and understanding sometime Strong winds of promise that will blow away all the doubt and fear If I can dream of a warmer sun Where hope keeps shining on everyone Tell me why, oh why, oh why won’t that sun appear?
We’re lost in a cloud with too much rain We’re trapped in a world that’s troubled with pain But as long as a man has the strength to dream He can redeem his soul and fly
Deep in my heart there’s a trembling question Still I am sure that the answer’s gonna come somehow Out there in the dark, there’s a beckoning candle And while I can think, While I can talk While I can stand, While I can walk While I can dream, Please let my dream come true… right now Let it come true right now Oh, yeah
WHATEVER WE DO IN OUR LIVES, KEEP ON DREAMIN’ – WATCHING FOR THAT BECKONING CANDLE!
Before my life began, your light
was growing dim.
You were going to Heaven. I wish you
didn’t have to leave because I never got
to meet you. I miss
you so much. I wish
we could’ve read and
played together. I wish I could’ve held your hand while we took a walk together… I can’t see your bright
smile that daddy told
me about or your pretty
brown eyes. I can’t hear
your voice, either, but I
know you’re my Angel in the skies. Sometimes, I want to visit Heaven just to tell you, “I Love You.”
(These thoughts are in memory of my
mother-in-law, Diane, who passed away in January 1991 – written from my young
daughter’s perspective, who was born later that same year. Of course, Diane never met our son, either, who was born four years later. And even though that was a long time ago, it still breaks our hearts that she never knew her grandchildren.) ❤
