Gratitude

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” 

Melody Beattie

 

I’ve determined that now it is simply my time to be quiet.  To be still.  To simply Be.

It’s a relief to come to a conclusion about it, frankly.

This means I can stop seeking the answer and just get on with the act of Being.

Now that that is settled I made a blogging decision.

Simplify.

I love photographing sunrises, as you know.

During my Breath Walk Meditation morning walks I sometimes take the camera in case there’s something to capture.

Today, this sunrise which was five minutes in between grey clouds.

A surprise sunrise.

The Unexpected Sunrise.

Preparing to blog I looked for an appropriate quote and found this:

“The biggest cliche in photography is sunrise and sunset”

Catherine Opie

I just laughed and laughed!  Thanks, Ms. Opie, for keeping me humble!

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Reflections

Blue Reflection (C) 2013 by Debi Bradford

 

Morning came early after a fitful, tossy-turny night.  Tornadoes ripped up my homeland yesterday, laying it bare by frightening, extreme elements.  I’ve lived through many tornadoes which fortunately turned left or right or lifted up and didn’t hit the house where I’d hunkered down.  My family and friends along that long, long path of destruction are on my mind, in my heart and thoughts this morning.  Sending them courage and strength and lots of love.

 

Alive (C) 2013 by Debi Bradford

 

In the middle of the tornadoes a very good friend was laying her mother to rest after a long illness.  No amount of tornadoes could stop that process.  I wasn’t there because I was here but what my friend told me later will stay with me forever.  She said as she watched her mother’s life slip away breath by breath she noticed a profound difference in her face.  Lines began disappearing and her face became youthful.  The pallor of sickness left and her skin began to glow.  She turned back into the beautiful woman she was before her illness.  My friend likened it to a new birth, a new beginning, and watching this miracle brought my friend peace.  Isn’t that lovely?

 

Morning Has Broken (C) 2013 by Debi Bradford

 

Events such as these open my heart to Gratitude as I reflect upon the gifts given me.  Today, I am extraordinarily grateful for my life and that of my friends and family, people in my blogosphere, acquaintances and old workmates, musicians whose tunes get my foot to tapping, and Adam, our waiter at Nikki’s last night who gave us such great service with humor and a smile.  Grateful for my Twinnie and upcoming trip to Scotland.  Happy to find a new Soul Friend Photographer.  Thankful for the extra weight I carry because I am not hungry.  Happy for this grey, foggy morning because I can breathe it in, see it and feel the moisture on my skin.  Life is Precious.  What a Gift, what a Gift.

Gratitude

“When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea,

and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds,

cleanses me with its noise,

and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.”

Rainer Maria Rilke

I’ve been bewildered and challenged and exhausted of late, all in another state

far, far from my beach.

I survived.

I returned.

I walked the sunrise and breathed in new life to my tired cells.

Today, I am thankful, grateful, for this place to which I can return and renew Myself.

Like this beach fence I’ve been through a storm and survived,

tested and proven to be strong enough.

Strong enough.

Each of us must find our Safe Haven to which we can return,

plug in and recharge.

This is mine.

Breathe it in.

Today, working on Gratitude.

I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.

Anna Quindlen

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/beach.html#eorPEVDGlRjGqc24.99

Gratitude

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”  (Melanie Beattie)

I am forever grateful, thankful for my family and friends each of who contribute to my life in their own unique and wonderful way.  Embrace this holiday, and every day, with gratitude.