A harvest of peace is produced from a seed of contentment.  Proverb

One of my favorite places to be is the ocean.  Last week as I sat with my feet in the water alternating between reading a good book and talking to friends. I realized I felt really content.  That's not a feeling that comes easily and I began to wonder why.  I remember many years ago being told that you don't want to get too content because that's when opportunities pass you by.  I am sure it was just about the time when as a society we began to want more or bigger and the words "I am so busy" became the thing to say.  

This week I have begun to look for the times throughout the day when I feel really content.  I know sitting in my backyard in the early morning is one time of day when contentment pays a visit. I know there are more and I want to be sure not only to notice them but to give them the attention they are due. 

I hope that you will take a few minutes this weekend to think about what makes you content.  And then I hope you will not only appreciate those things but find a way to bring more of that peaceful and happy feeling into your life.

            When you share your dreams and your talent with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!
                                                                                                                        Ginny

This year I am taking time each month to reflect upon the month or season that just passed.  My word of the year actually turned into the phrase Living Joyfully with Courage and Confidence.  It is easy to forget my phrase but I think its too important of a concept for me to not think about. So this week I asked myself these questions:  "Did I live joyfully?"  Did I act with courage and confidence?  And I added one more.  "Did I choose happiness?"

I have come to realize that it is important to choose happiness.  And I realize if I choose happiness it will mean that I am living joyfully.  I have lived long enough to know that we can't be happy every minute of everyday.  But when given a choice - and life is filled with choices - it is important to choose happiness.  Happiness comes in all shapes and sizes.  It comes when we least expect it or when we are planning and waiting for it patiently and it comes because we choose it.

It's easy to become frustrated or angry in the fast paced world we live in.  We are often surrounded by negative people and negative images.  But we can choose to ignore those images and replace them with things that make us happy.  We can choose our friends carefully and surround ourselves with people who care about the things that we care about.  

I think it is important to recognize the people and things that bring happiness into our lives. One of the things that makes me happy each day is my home.  It has served our family well providing warmth and a place to make memories.  It's windows allow me to see outside and appreciate the beautiful sky that is above me and the green that is all around me even when I am indoors.  It protects me from the cold and the rain and is a place to be quiet and still. It is something that I am grateful for each and every day.

What brings you happiness?  What makes you smile or feel giddy or calm or peaceful?  I hope that you will join me each day in celebrating whatever or whoever it is that makes you happy. It is easy to overlook those things or without realizing it choose something else.  I'm consciously choosing happiness.  I hope that you will join me.

               When you share your dreams and your talent with the world, magic happens.  Let the magic begin!
                                                                                                                                           Ginny