Showing posts with label Quote of the week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quote of the week. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Fear(less)

This is Day 13 of the 2017 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is Fears.  Please visit the other participants for more adventures.


The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt


Fear can multiply and build on itself until it becomes powerful and consuming, and unchecked it can eventually take the place of what caused the fear in the first place.  We need to keep fear in its place.  A little fear can keep us from making critical mistakes, but when fear takes over it is paralyzing.

We can get so caught up in our fear that our rational side is overwhelmed. How can we take control of a fear? That depends on the cause. We might try confronting the fear, such as flying or heights, and find that it is not as bad as we expected. Perhaps taking a step back and reaffirming the positive things we know to be true can provide some relief. 

Fear has many different faces and effects, and there is no one size fits all solution for managing or overcoming them. Sometimes you just want to Shout!

Enjoy at little Tears for Fears.





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Monday, January 16, 2017

Modern Obsession?

This is Day 11 of the 2017 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is Selfie NationPlease visit the other participants for more adventures.

What is a selfie? Some years ago I had to ask that same question when my niece mentioned selfies. She said that's when you take a picture of yourself with your cell phone camera. That's the way new words come into being. 

It seems we have become enamored with taking our own pictures. I will admit it is a good way to document your vacations and other adventures or be able to share photos of yourself when there is no one around to take your picture. 


I am usually taking the pictures which is fine since most of the time I don't like the way I look in photographs, especially at close range. Needless to say, I won't be posting any selfies here.


Yet there is the occasional instance like this one when I definitely wanted my picture taken. Obviously a selfie wouldn't work here since I had my hands full.




The downside of selfies is the obsession those of taking bunches of random self portraits or silly faces and sharing them with thousands of their closest friends via social media.  Selfies can also get to be hazardous when folks focus too much on getting the cool picture and not enough on what's going on around them.

The bottom line is I don't think taking selfies is bad unless it becomes an obsession, is disruptive, or poses a hazard to them or others around them.


And, because this is Monday, here is a selfie quote!

With the selfies, a photographer has finally found his place in a photograph.  Amit Kalantri

That is definitely a true statement!



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Monday, January 9, 2017

Nicknames

This is Day 6 of the 2017 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is Nicknames. Please visit the other participants for more stories.       


I love nicknames. It makes me feel loved. It makes me feel less alone in this world. - Ellen Page

I would wager that just about every has had a nickname at one time or other in their lives. Nicknames can be endearing or embarrassing, sweet or mean, depending on who bestowed it and how it is used.


Sophie a.k.a. Soapy, Sophes, Twit
I grew up with several different descriptors attached to me, all of which were used with the utmost affection. Used in this manner, nicknames do make you feel special, like you fill a place that no one else can, which is true.

Even our furry friends have nicknames in addition to the official name of record at the vet. Rosebud was always Rose or Rosie, and Dood's official name was R.P., but he eventually became Doodle, which got shortened to Dood. Missy became Mizzle and then Miz, but I often called her Sweet Pea, and her Daddy called her Pudge.



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Monday, January 2, 2017

In A Nutshell

This is Day 1 of the 2017 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is explain your blog. Please visit the other participants for more stories.


With another year under our belts and new adventures on the horizon, we embark on another writing challenge to energize us and get us back into the proverbial blogging saddle. Giddy-up! The first challenge is to explain our blogs, how they came to be and what makes them tick. 

Way back in the summer of 2009 I was walking through a rose garden with my hubby and some friends, and we were talking about technology and social media such as Twitter when out of the blue I said I could write a blog. I had thoughts, ideas and opinions and decided I could share those with anyone and everyone who cared to listen. That I had no idea how to do this didn't matter. From that walk in the rose garden sprang From Roses to Rainbows. (Also see how I named by blog Part 1 and Part 2.)

Here comes the explaining part. It has absolutely nothing to do with roses or rainbows, aside from the occasional, non-related pictures. The simple explanation is that it is a place for me to express myself through writing fiction, poetry, travel stories, and cat tales, to post pictures, to muse over daily life and to offer encouragement and inspiration through quotes and interpretation. In other words, it is an eclectic collection of self expression.

Alas, over the past few years, my writing and posting have been sporadic and even my quote series has fallen into neglect. Having said that however, I have participated in month-long writing challenges since June 2012, including the previous two January Chills, and not missed one day.

Hopefully having just written these words, I will be inspired to revive some of characters and tap out some new adventures, and that is what it is all about.




We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2017. Let us begin!




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Sunday, October 9, 2016

The Hidden Path


Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley. Theodore Roethke

Just because something can't be seen doesn't mean it isn't there, and just because you don't have the answer right now, doesn't mean you won't find it. Patience and perseverance will reward you with the path you seek.



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Thursday, September 22, 2016

Welcome to Autumn

A Pennsylvania corn field

Autumn carries more gold in its pocket
 than all the other seasons. -Jim Bishop





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Friday, September 9, 2016

The Joy of Color


Embrace your inner you, whatever that may be!



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Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Life Unlimited

Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it. - Sai Baba



Born in India in 1835, Sai Baba was an Indian spiritual master and was regarded by his followers as a saint, fakir and satguru. It was uncertain whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a Muslim, but he was revered by both. 

Some things never change. This was true from the perspective of a 19th century Indian guru, and it is true today. Step up to the challenges, meet life head on with joy and song, and make the most of everything. Stop chasing life and live it.

Once again, my posting has ended up on the back burner. Good intentions and all... Anyway, happy mid-week y'all. I hope everyone is having a good summer; ours has been interesting. Please feel free to share your adventures. 


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Monday, August 1, 2016

An Ancient Beverage


He was a wise man who invented beer. - Plato



Now Plato lived some 2,300 years ago in fourth century B.C. and beer had already been around for a long time.

Tests performed on ancient pottery from Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq and parts of Iran, Syria and Turkey), indicate that beer was produced there some 7,000 years ago, and a 3,900 year old poem contains the oldest known recipe for beer. 

The process of making beer was passed along to the Greeks who then taught the Romans. Beer was important to the early Romans, but was eventually replaced by wine as the alcoholic beverage of choice, rendering beer at that time, fit only for barbarians. Obviously this opinion didn't hold for long as beer brewing has continued throughout the centuries and in many cultures. 

If you doubt the historical importance of beer, consider that the desire to make beer led people to give up a nomadic lifestyle to form villages, cultivate crops and develop agriculture, thus leading to civilization.

What started small thousands of years ago, rose to a multi-million dollar industry and mass production, is now returning to it's roots with this new concept of microbreweries and craft beers. 

Last night we met up with some friends at the tasting room of a local brewery. They have lots of different beers on tap, some with exotic names and flavors. However I chose Carolina Blonde, a cream ale, which is lower on the bitterness scale. It is light, smooth and refreshing, especially on a hot summer evening.



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Monday, July 25, 2016

Breathe and Enjoy Your Day!

You don't always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust and let go and see what happens. - Mandy Hale

Enroute to Skippers Fish Camp in Darien, GA
We did have a plan when this picture was taken. A very definite plan, indeed. Dinner at Skipper's. What was different was our choice of routes. This was by far more scenic and well worth the change to our plan. 

Not every aspect of every day of your life needs to be planned out to the letter. Sometimes it is better to just go with the flow and see where you end up. Allow your day to be like a Sunday afternoon drive in the country with no definite place to go. One of those you'll know when you get there kind of days.

So sit back, ditch your well-thought-out plans, take a deep breath and go where life leads you. You may find something great waiting for you just around the corner.


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Monday, July 18, 2016

Smiles Matter

Image Source: Wikipedia
It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living. - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Smiles cost nothing, are easily given and may do more good you can possibly know. They can brighten days, change minds, modify opinions, enhance first impressions, bolster spirits and make both the giver and the recipient feel better.

Often we march through life with our faces in neutral, or worse, frowning or scowling at some injustice, whether real or perceived. If you see that person without a smile, give them one of yours. If you are that person, look around you and find something to smile about. 




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Thursday, July 14, 2016

Troubled Times

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein


I have come across this quote often over the years and passed it by in favor of more upbeat, positive choices. Now I think it's time has come. It appears the world has completely taken leave of it's collective senses. I can't imagine, nor do I want to know, what goes through people's minds when they commit such atrocities as we have seen recently. 

Human beings are blessed with the ability to think and reason, and the capacity to feel empathy and compassion. We also have been taught the difference between right and wrong and good and evil. Yet there is so much anger and hate brewing around the world now, and groups that continue to perpetuate feelings of ill will and violence. 

I say it is time we get over ourselves and quit labeling and categorizing people and stop promoting violence against them. Whether your life matters shouldn't depend on what color you are, what restroom you use or what you do for a living.

We should just live our lives and tend to our own business and let others tend to theirs. I still believe mankind as a whole is good, but looking at recent events I'd say there are more than a few tainted apples in the barrel.




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Monday, July 4, 2016

What was I Thinking?

We are what we think...
All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world.  -Buddha

Often we find pearls of wisdom from many different people and cultures. When I first read this I wasn't sure that I agreed with Buddha's statement. We don't always act on what we are thinking, and thankfully so or many of us would be in a world of trouble.

However, I believe there is some truth here, and most certainly something to be taken away from this quote. 


On the negative side, too often we are hit with "What was I thinking" so we should guard our thoughts and be aware when what we are thinking is something with which we would not want make our world.

The converse is also true, and if our consciousness is filled with good, kind and loving thoughts, we can indeed make a better world for ourselves.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July, everyone!



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Monday, June 6, 2016

Some Things Never Change

Image Source: Wikipedia


The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and to have courage when things go wrong. 
- Laura Ingalls Wilder
We live in a world that seems to be far removed from that of the author of this quote. But is it, really? We have automation and technology which have considerably changed the way we do things, but when you really look at life itself, things are pretty much the same. 

We laugh, love and dream and if we treat people well, look forward to each day with thanks and accept the ups and downs with grace, then we are pretty much living as many generations before us have lived.

Let's take a little time today and look around at what's really important in our lives and how we present ourselves to others.


I have fallen off the blogging wagon lately. I've been somewhat uninspired and out of focus on writing, or maybe just plain lazy. I would like to change things up a bit here at Roses to Rainbows, but haven't come to any conclusions thus far on what that might be. Thoughts, comments and suggestions are welcome!


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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Just Thinking

Never be afraid to sit awhile and think. ― Lorraine Hansberry


I would say these pelicans have got that down pat. 

They are living out their days at the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores on the Gulf Coast of Florida.



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Monday, May 9, 2016

Moments

We do not remember days, we remember moments. - Cesare Pavese

Not all of my moments are preserved in pictures although it is much easier now, in this digital age, to pull out my phone and snap a picture. 

Here are a few:


This is a huge Live Oak in St. Augustine just across from the lighthouse. It is magnificent. It would have been nice to have that in my back yard when I was a kid (read tomboy). I loved to climb trees.


A close up of Rosie after devouring his birthday present at his Sweet Sixteen party. Details here. Miss you buddy!


This is one of the best pictures I have of Dood. He never seemed interested in the cat tree. That was always Sophie's domain. Until one day when he decided to venture up to the second perch right next to the window.  I miss you too, Dood!


What's better than a beautiful sunset at the beach? We were vacationing with friends and this was our bon voyage gift from the beach.


They are more than just moments, they are precious memories. The days go by...the moments remain.


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Monday, May 2, 2016

Spring Cleaning?

He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions. - Confucius


This sort of goes along with last week's quote by Robert Frost. Considering all the nothingness that is being spontaneously spouted about over the air waves, it seems that there are more questions being asked than answers being spewn forth from those from whom we would like truthful and straightforward dialog.

Such is any election year when the telephone rings non-stop and your mailbox is filled with dead trees upon which the candidate of the day is touting his pristine record while slinging his (or her) opponent a mud pie to the face.

Outright lies and half truths are the pitfall of modern politics, but no doubt this has been the case, on some level, since the beginning of government. I think it is time for a little Spring cleaning.

Let's start with some Windex® so we can see through the hazy rhetoric, some bleach to clean up around their back doors, and a hand truck to move them to the curb. Who's with me? Rubber gloves and dust masks provided. Beer and pizza when we're done.



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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Say What?

Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it. - Robert Frost


I am going to just let this speak for itself because I think there is enough nothing being said in today's world.



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Monday, April 18, 2016

Just Listen!


The earth has music for those who listen. - Shakespeare

The earth is constantly trying to get our attention. Every time a species is added to the endangered list. Every time the words climate change are uttered. Every time we read about a fish kill from contaminated water. We have but one planet and it's resources are not unlimited. Let us listen to what it is telling us.

Earth Day is Friday, April 22.



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Monday, April 4, 2016

Through The Storm

When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about. - Haruki Murakami


Haruki Murakami is a contemporary Japanese writer whose works have been on the best seller list in Japan. Born in 1949 in Kyoto Japan, he writes both fiction and non-fiction and is often criticized as un-Japanese and influenced by Western writers.

What kind of storms is he talking about? No, not storms like hurricanes, blizzards or dust storms, but real life storms that have the potential to be life changing events. I expect that many of you can relate. 

Considering that I am a fan of The Walking Dead, there are so many ways I could go with this, but I am choosing to see it in a positive light.

I think what Murakami is saying is that no matter how rough the storm that we pass through, the potential is there for us to emerge stronger or wiser or more compassionate and that surviving the storm can change our outlook and perspective. 

What do you think? How would you interpret this?



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