Summer Rain

“Rain is grace; Rain is the sky condescending to the earth;

Without rain there would be no life”

                                                                                                               John Updike
 

Rainy days have always been a time to relax. I learned this from my mother. She would relax because she couldn’t do the wash or so many things in the rain. We would play games inside and have fun. Mom would make stews and fresh bread and cinnamon piecrust. We would laugh, sing songs, and tell ghost stories. So of course I carried this forward with my own children. They would line up the chairs in a row for a train and cover the table with a blanket for a cave. In fact one of my sons was so afraid of the thunder that he would insist on the covered table to hide under--with the dog!

Whenever I feel a need to change my life due to stress or problems I always wish for a rainy day. And if I can not wish one up, I pretend and relax anyway. Over my lifetime I have learned to be creative at finding things to do for my rainy days things that truly help me to relax, take stock of my life, and renew my energy and joy.

However, thinking you can relax only when it rains or when you can’t do anything else, is not really the point. Relaxing is a way of life. We should take time every day to relax. Take time every day for our needs. Taking even a few moments each day to relax and enjoy our lives--to make a “rainy day” event happen with a soothing cup of tea, for instance, will help us to find peace and contentment and allow us to renew ourselves.

The happiest heart that ever beat was in some quiet breast

That found the common daylight sweet, And left to Heaven the rest.
                                                                                                  John V. Cheney

Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again.

Chinese inscription cited by Thoreau in Walden

Peace and Joy to All 

Early Morning

Early in the morning I sat peacefully in my lawn chair nestled among the trees and flowering plants in my garden, watching the many varieties of birds come to feed, humming birds flitting, white puffy clouds floating along, breeze caressing my skin and enjoying  my cup of fresh coffee flavored with cinnamon and other spices.

 Peace, quiet, contentment.

I realize that it does not matter what problems the day might bring, or world strife, or decisions and adjustments to be made,                 THIS MOMENT in time is perfect.

And I give thanks.

“ This is the day that God has made, rejoice and be glad of it”

Rejoice! What a wonderful word. Rejoice and have joy.!!!

Peace and Joy to All

Living Life

Life is meant to be lived so every moment is precious, happy, and joyful. Life asks us to strive for meaningful pursuits, to allow us to reach back to yesterday pulling forward the good, to see God’s creation in all things and to lean forward to see tomorrow with joyful anticipation. Life moves from one place to the next, continually changing, continually bringing joys and sorrows. What we make of those joys and sorrows gives us our life.

Within each of us is the strength and fortitude to live life to its fullest potential. We just have to reach out and grasp what is there waiting to bring us joy.

Live life! Believe in it and it will reward you with sunshine and happiness if you learn to look for the positive aspect of each day. Start each day with anticipation and expectation of all the many gifts you will receive as the day unfolds.

“This is the day that God had made, Rejoice and be glad of it”

Peace and Joy to All 

Summer Delights

 　

A dragonfly alights on a stalk of grass,

Blowing in the summer meadow

A lonely oak stands on a hill,

 Arms reaching to the sky

Golden light skims across the pond,

As pollywogs wiggle near shore.

The sun is shinning for our joy,

As soft summer breezes play on our faces.

Birdsong flies unfettered over green fields and azure sky

Glorious summer flowers bloom in profusion,

Lighting our world with rainbow-hues of color.

Laughter of children ripples like water in a brook, in innocent pleasure

The entire world is dazzling in the sunlight.

Sailing on the lake, fireworks in July,

Picnics, barbeques and parades

Summer rain storms with awesome displays of lightening and thunder

And crimson sunsets to end our days with joy

These are the delights of summer

Touch the earth, see the sky

Delight in summer’s bounty.

Peace and Joy to All

A walk through the flowers

Peace and Joy to All