May Your Easter Be Filled With JOY!

Easter is a natural time of rebirth.  As Spring begins its season of growth, so do we!  Gratitude for blessings and delighting in the wondrous emergence of flowers and trees budding in the Spring flows joy to our hearts!  How lovely for the change of seasons!

May you enjoy a few moments of quiet today to fill your heart with love and gratitude.  Pray, meditate and just enjoy this moment in time.  Fill your day with love, reach out to family and friends in kindness and be gently reminded of the great gift that is today.

May joy be yours dear friends!

Shine On!

xo

Staying in the Present Moment

Whew, I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s mighty hard to stay in the present moment.  With all of life’s busyness, I think sometimes we get caught up in the hubbub of what needs to be done today and we let being present fall by the wayside.  Does this happen to you?

I know it happens to me.

Bills, appointments, responsibilities, paperwork and all the roles I play during day to day living sometimes have me running without a break to simply stop and smell the roses.  To be in the stillness of the moment, whether alone or with someone else.  To just feel the gift of being present.

Often, we live in a whirlwind where we scurry from moment to moment without hesitation when our lives are full and then we fall into our beds at night, exhausted from life in general.  It’s hard to find a few minutes of peace to go within the stillness of our hearts.  Meditation helps if we can find the time to still our minds for a respite, but more often than not, unless we are disciplined, other responsibilities take precedence.  But meditation doesn’t have to be a formal time set exercise.  It can simply be taking five minutes to really enjoy that cup of tea or coffee and relaxing our minds.  It can be taking a quiet walk outside and listening to the birds or feeling the earth under our feet.  It can be closing our eyes and enjoying the peaceful silence.  We can think positive thoughts, speak affirmations that work for us, pray or just be grateful for this moment in time.  I find that taking 10 minutes to simply free write helps me to clear the clutter from my brain which builds up after time.  Even writing my blog allows me to be still and get into that place of peace.

What helps you to find stillness in the present moment?

Today, try to carve out a few minutes of peace for yourself.  Breathe deeply, stay in the moment, be grateful for all that is in your life and be joyful for the blessings that you enjoy.  Give yourself the gift of presence, even for a few precious moments today.  You deserve the peace and tranquility that comes with it!

Shine On!

xo

 

Magical Deer Meeting

In my neighborhood, I have enjoyed the privilege to observe many wild animals ~ chipmunks, bunnies, birds and deer.  From time to time, I have encountered a herd of deer crossing the roads near my house or grazing by a small pond.  A few years ago, I was blessed to come upon a newborn fawn and her mother in my neighbor’s yard as I was bringing in their garbage cans.  I stood quite still, speaking softly as I watched the fawn nurse.  Both mother and fawn knew I was there, but continued on with the moment, watching me from afar.  The fawn stayed in my neighbor’s yard for a few weeks as she grew, hidden in the ivy that covered a part of their property.

Once last year, I walked out my front door to see a big buck standing majestically in the early morning in my neighbor’s yard.  He stood there looking at me for about 5 minutes before he turned to walk away, apparently done with our eye contact and my conversation.  I can still recall the moment as it felt so special to me.

But last night, I went into my backyard to check on the koi in our pond.  As it was such a beautiful night, I was staring at the sky when I saw a glimpse of movement.  A small deer had entered our backyard.  I stood still, whispering to BAngel on my phone so as not to startle the deer.  She (or he) wandered through the backyard, oblivious to my presence which I found interesting as I thought she would bolt when she saw me there.  Instead, she headed right towards me and stopped about 6 steps from me.  It was dusk, but I watched as she listened to my voice, cocking her head and raising her ears intently.  I was wishing that I had a small carrot in my hand or something to offer her.  We stayed that way for about 5 minutes although it seemed like an eternity and then she wandered to the side of the property to nibble on some leaves.  A few minutes later, she turned and sauntered back to where she had entered the yard, only to reemerge again and walk the same path near me.  I kept wondering if she would drink from our small pond, but she didn’t.  At one point she began walking towards the side yard where we have some tasty rose bushes, but then suddenly, it was as if she was startled by something, she turned and ran back to where she came.

What a gift to be so close to her, to have her walk right towards me and stop to simply be with me.  It was exciting and it made my heart sing to feel that connection with her.  I looked up deer spirit totem animal here in case you are interested in reading more about the significance of my encounter.

Have you ever had an encounter like this one with a deer or another wild animal?  Please share!

Shine On!

xo

How to Freshen Your Hopes

I want to do the right thing, but often, I don’t know just what the right thing is.  Every day I know I have come short of what I would like to have done.  Yet as the years pass and I see the very world itself with its oceans and mountains and plains as something unfinished, a peculiar little satisfaction hunts out the corners of my heart.  Sunsets and evening shadows find me regretful at tasks undone, but sleep and the dawn and the air of the morning touch me with freshening hopes. ~ Carl Sandburg

Do you feel this way at times?  Do you gently lay your head upon your pillow at night, unable to sleep while you recount the day’s events, perhaps even berating yourself for tasks undone, words unsaid (or said) and the feeling of an unfinished day?  Then take a lesson from Carl Sandburg and allow the day to be done, gone the sun…and allow the dawn to freshen your hopes for a new day!

Dawn brings enthusiasm, optimism, inspiration!  Awaken with the joy of a new day where miracles can and do happen!  Where you can create what you want on the clean canvas of a new day!  May you find joy today and every day!  This is your day to…

Shine On!

xo

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/

Every precious morning

I’m a wake up happy type of gal.  I like mornings ~ the newness of the day, accompanied by a fresh cup of coffee.  I like tranquility, when the house is peaceful, all are safe and dreaming in their beds and just Tiffy Cat and I are stirring.  It used to be the girls and I were awake at this time (Chessie & Tiffy) but since Chessie Cat passed a month ago yesterday, pawprints-in-my-heart  it’s just been the 2 of us.  We relax in the morning, look out the windows at the backyard to admire the squirrels and bunnies and just take a moment to breathe before the hubbub of the day begins.

Because in a flash, the boys will be downstairs and the rush of school, work etc will begin.

But in those precious moments, I fill myself up, storing peace and tranquility for the day ahead.  I begin the day with gratitude that I am blessed because I am here to see another day.  I send up a prayer that my day will be good, that I can do good wherever I’m needed.  I take a few moments of fur therapy, petting Tiffy as we both enjoy the morning.  It’s our time and I think she understands.

Do you take a few moments for yourself during your busy day?  I highly recommend it as it centers my soul in the most unusual way.

I’m not a nature type of gal ~ you wouldn’t find me voluntarily camping ever, but I love watching nature from my window.  I love walking with my elder son to the corner for the school bus pickup every morning.  I enjoy the quiet of the morning outside before the world stirs.  We walk together arm in arm many days to keep warm ~ but sometimes, just in that mom/son comforting way.  We chat about the day ahead, planning sports schedules, tests for the week and what’s for dinner that night.  Other times, we just enjoy the quiet of the morning.

Our neighborhood boasts deer, wildlife and trees.  So in the mornings, there’s a peacefulness in the air, it’s like that last intake of breath just before busy begins.  Since Spring has sprung, we’ve been noticing the buds on the trees, flowers sprouting and the colors of the sky.  The picture above is from his phone last week.  I’m a big sky watcher, but it was he who noticed the cloud formation and pointed it out to me.  He snapped the shot from his phone and texted it to me (isn’t technology grand?) while I marveled by his side how blessed I am to have such an amazing son.

We started this routine when he began high school since he leaves so early in the mornings.  I think he likes the company while he waits for the bus and me, I’m just grateful that we get a few moments together that are ours.  As I walk back to the house, smiling to myself, I turn my attention to my younger son as he gets ready for school.  Time flies by so quickly.  These are the precious moments that I won’t forget ~ because it’s the little things that mean so much.

May your day be blessed.

Shine On!

xo

Patience

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do you have patience?  Be honest…it is  something that you have or that you don’t….or are you like me ~ it comes and goes?  Lately, we have been complaining in the Northeast of the USA that Spring has yet to spring!  We even had snow after the 21st of March which is the start of Spring!  But now a few weeks later, there are buds on the branches, leaves are uncurling and daffodils have blossomed!

Spring has finally come.

But for those of us who wanted Spring weeks ago, it certainly feels like a long time coming.  Isn’t that just he way of life sometimes?  We wait patiently or impatiently often throughout our days.  We wait for appointments, for family members, for a break when we’re at work.  We wait for the bus, the train, the stop light.  When you begin to think about it, we spend a lot of time waiting throughout our day.

What do you do when you’re waiting?  Do you tap your foot impatiently?  Roll your eyes when your sandwich at the deli takes longer than anticipated?  Or do you smile and act gratefully ~ imagining how delicious it will taste and how blessed you are to be able to choose it, to have someone make it for you and to have the money to pay for it?

When you’re stuck in traffic, what do you do?  Do you honk your horn?  Scowl at the drivers in front of you?  Check your watch often with anxiety because you may be late?  Or do you relax into the moment, knowing that you can enjoy a few more moments in the car singing your favorite song or listening to the news or looking up at the sky to see the cloud formations or looking around to enjoy how Mother Nature has begun to spread her Spring?

Surely you’ve heard, “Patience is a virtue,” so today I will gently remind you.  The next time you’re finding yourself impatient, take a deep breath and count your blessings as you wait.  I bet you can easily make it to 20 in no time ~ and by then, the traffic will have moved, your sandwich will be ready and all your tension will have melted away.

Shine On!

xo

Escape!

Sunlight dancing on the water

Today’s Daily Prompt asks for our escape plan and from what we’re escaping ~ well for me, that’s easy ~ put me on the water, let the sunshine glisten on the surface of the water like diamonds, allow the sun’s rays above to caress and warm my skin and allow the breeze to lift all my worries from my brain.  Being on the water gives me freedom from everything ~ I can only concentrate on the beauty of the moment, escape to the Presents of the Presence ~ relishing the NOW as only this moment allows.

It is my very favorite escape ~ I dig deeply into my soul and rejoice in the beauty which surrounds me ~ the call of nature ~ the serenity which envelopes me, the peacefulness which soothes me and lifts my spirits.  Guess it must be the Pisces in me?

Take a moment and breathe in the peace, the serenity and the glow of life!

Shine On!

xo

Where’s your favorite escape?

Daily Prompt: Escape!

Describe your ultimate escape plan (and tell us what you’re escaping from).

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/daily-prompt-escape/

Happily Ever After

Be Happy Forever and Ever

Today I invite you to please celebrate with me my 300th post which I had begun writing last night ~ but when the Universe via the Daily Post served up the topic,

“And they lived happily ever after.” Think about this line for a few minutes. Are you living happily ever after? If not, what will it take for you to get there?

I was left with no other choice but to oblige as I can’t think of a more apropos way to celebrate 300 posts!  I started this blog long ago, back in 2010, but I didn’t pursue it.  Then in 2011, I began to blog again with welcome-to-the-presents-of-presence  and what began as a lark, has grown into a happy hobby which I hope will continue to evolve, to grow and to emerge into a book.  I want to thank you all for connecting with me via your amazing posts along the way which have broadened my horizons and your heartfelt comments which have warmed my heart!  I am so very grateful for every person who stops by my blog! xoxo

Now back to the daily prompt! 🙂

Shockingly for as much as I write about being happy here, I don’t believe in happily ever after in the traditional sense!  I know it sounds strange because I write about happiness much of the time.  However, I believe that happiness is a quotient of what you do in your daily life and it is the benefit that you reap daily every moment of every day that makes a happily ever after, but I don’t prescribe to the idea of living happily ever after because you did x once ~ x can be marrying the perfect spouse, winning the lottery, working at your dream job etc.

Does that make sense?  So to me, there’s no special path that I have to take in order to be happy.

I can just BE HAPPY BY CHOICE!

In fact, I am happy now!  And you can be too!

Need a few ways to find a smile?

1. Look up at the sky and admire the beauty that’s there for you to enjoy!

Blue skies, clouds, rainbows, sunshine, raindrops, snowflakes, the moon, the stars ~ all of it!

2.  Admire nature ~ the green of the grass, the foliage in the trees, the beauty in the flowers.

3.  Look in the mirror and smile at yourself!  You are so special!  You are loved.

4.  Hug yourself!  Hug someone else!  Hug your furry pet!

5.  Count your blessings ~ list 5 good things about your day!

Can’t think of 5?  How about 2 ~ then as the day goes along, you can add to the list!

The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the fact that you woke up today!

6.  Laugh!

7.  Read a blog that’s uplifting!

8.  Write a heartfelt comment to someone!

9.  Turn up the volume and listen to your favorite dance tunes!

10.  Call a friend and chat!

11.  And here’s my smile ~ my gift to you!

I could go on and on, but what matters most is that you realize that…

HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE YOU MAKE!

YOU HOLD THE POWER of

HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

SHINE ON!

xo

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/daily-prompt-happy-ending/