Where in Nature Do You Find Your Peace?

 I am soothed here.

I’m a Jersey Girl, although not the Snooki kind, but the real-life gal who grew up going to the beach everyday she could, who finds the sound of the ocean soothing and who goes in search of the sand between her toes, the sun in the sky glistening on the water and the waves crashing gently to shore in order to soothe her soul.  That’s me.  A drive to the beach will suffice when the weather’s too cold to dip my toes into the ocean, but I must smell the briny scent of the ocean’s perfume in order to completely find my peace within.

Do you have a special peaceful place in nature that you call your own? 

Are you a beach person like me?  Or do the mountains beckon to your soul?

Do the lakes have your heart?  Or does the chilly snow hold you? 

Does crunching in fallen, gem-colored leaves soften your sadness? 

Or does the howling wind blow away your troubles? 

Do raindrops wash away your tears?  Does the acrid desert drain your worries? 

Does the sunshine call your name?

Or do moonbeams beckon your feet to dance?

Do twinkling stars ignite your passion?

Or do clouds feather your dreams?

Please share with me ~ I’d love to hear where you find you peace!

Shine On!

xo

Where is your

One Shot, Two Ways

Which do you prefer?

Horizontal as above

or

Vertical as below?

Weekly Photo Challenge: One Shot, Two Ways

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/one-shot-two-ways/

Remembrance

food fun & fireworks

With the upcoming 4th of July, I was thinking about our family traditions and how they shape us.  And truth be told, I was thinking about how this summer is so different than last summer.  With the devastation that Hurricane Sandy left in her wake, our Jersey Shore just isn’t the same and it makes me sad.  Not to mention that my Dad isn’t here again this year ~ so this summer heralds with her a new type of summer that’s permanently changed.

I guess I’m ‘waxing poetic’ these days about what’s gone, but not forgotten.

But like the fireworks of July 4th, we are all here to pop ~ to shine ~ to sparkle and to dazzle!  We are in the public’s eye, sometimes only for a few moments of fame and then we fizzle out.  But we can remain in the memories of our loved ones for our specialness, our dazzling display of light ~ our firecracker selves!

And, I hope that one day perhaps when I’m gone, someone will remember me in a fond way ~ that I will have left my mark on a heart or two ~ made this world a better place by being here, by stretching out of my comfort zone and by sending out love.  Perhaps the ocean breezes, the feeling of sand between toes, the smell of the briny sea will remind them of me.

As I am reminded now.

Big hugs to all!

Shine On!

xo

Daily Prompt ~ Summer’s Day

Sunbeams dance sprightly on the water,

leaving sparkly footprints for all to enjoy.

Blue skies grow cloud mountains,

the air is fresh and clean.

Peace fills my soul with every breath,

as troubles gently float away.

Teardrops cease their journey,

exchanged for a smile,

by a calm summer’s day.

~ The Presents of Presence.

Today’s post is dedicated to the 6 Month Anniversary of Hurricane Sandy and all who were affected.

Daily Prompt: Unleash Your Inner Dickinson by michelle w.

National Poetry Writing Month is nearly at at end. To celebrate it, try your hand at some verse.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/daily-prompt-dickinson/

A View of the Beach by a Jersey Girl

So as you may remember, I’m a Jersey Girl through and through.  Not the Jersey Shore type of gal, but a Jersey Girl which means that I grew up by the beach.  The ocean beckoned me every summer’s day and even when the weather wasn’t delightful, she beckoned and I answered, surrendering to her call.

To me, the beach is my only drug.  It soothes my soul.  No matter whether the weather is sunny, bright and warm or blustery, cold and cloudy!  The tranquility of the waves, the beauty of the sky as it meets the ocean, the way the waves draw on the sand, soothes my heart, my mind and me.  Even when the storms come and the waves thrash against the shoreline, rising up with their powerful swells, the beach is still my favorite place to be.

Because to me, the beach and the ocean are like life.  Some days are filled with sunshine and with rhythmic waves that we ride along with ease!  Some days are blustery, cloudy and the uncontrollable swells sweep across our lives and take with them everything that we know.  Even when tragedy strikes, it is to the beach that I return, finding my compass again to build another sandcastle baby step by baby step in my life.

With Hurricane Sandy, so many were devastated by her wrath.   Familiar buildings nearby were demolished, swept away by the sea.  The landscape changing completely by the power of the storm.  Destruction that will take years to rebuild has changed so many lives and it is with a tear-stained face that I witnessed so much.  However, months later, we are a part of Restore the Shore, starting over again, rebuilding and changing and making stronger.  It is to the sea that we all are drawn here.

We acknowledge her power, her beauty and her will ~ we bend to her, but we never break completely for we are Jersey Strong.  Time heals us and it takes time to heal, but with strength, love and will, we can rebuild her and enjoy her once again!

Mountains and forests are beautiful but simply don’t hold that magical, powerful draw that the beach has for me.  Perhaps if I weren’t born a Jersey Girl it would be different.

I am forever a Jersey Girl.

I simply can’t be far away from the sea ~

her beauty, her power, and her saltwater flow forever in my veins.

What about you?  Are you a beach, a mountain, a forest or another type of nature admirer?

Shine On!

xo

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/daily-prompt-places/

Daily Prompt: Places

Beach, mountain, forest, or somewhere else entirely?

50 Shades of Gratitude

I saw this card and thought of dear Mother Nature who has bestowed so many experiences on our Jersey Shore lately.  I thought you might like the giggle of this card because it reminded me of the snowman my sons made yesterday.  It also reminded me of the gift of gratefulness that she has given to us ~ be thankful that we’re here, we’re healthy and we’re alive ~ and for everything else!  Do you practice gratitude everyday?  It’s a must!

Perhaps you need a bit of help with it?  Well, I’ve been holding out on you with a post that I knew would come in the right time.  I think today’s the perfect opportunity to reblog one of my favorite blogger’s posts from World Gratitude Day which was September 21st.  Paul’s wonderful gratitude quotes and his blog will help you to find gratefulness wherever you roam.  Take a moment to click on his link on this Thank God it’s Friday!

50 Shades of Gratitude.

So please enjoy and be grateful!

Thank you Paul Mark Sutherland at GYA Today!

xo