Be Kind

Be Kind. Be Kind. Be Kind. Be Kind. Please, just be It - Kind. 

Anyone who takes the time to be kind is beautiful.
Richelle E. Goodrich

Happy May Day!

I've banished Winter, saith the Spring,

Awake! arise, ye flowers!

Brisk breezes blow,

Bright sunshine glow,

And rouse the young Year's powers.

~Henry James Slack (1818–1896)

Happy May Day!!!

Hello Spring Flowers!

A Bible Verse for Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!!

Let the heavens rejoice,

let the earth be glad;

let the sea resound,

and all that is in it.

Let the fields be jubilant,

and everything in them;

let all the trees of the forest

sing for joy.

~Psalm 96:11-12

For more inspirational quotes and Bible verses please see my Colorful Quotes page.

Happy Easter! He Is Risen!

He is Risen!

~Mathew 28:6

Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus,
  who was crucified. He is not here.
He is Risen, just as he said.

~Mathew 28: 5-6

This is one of my favorite childhood songs from church.

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because he lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, he holds the future,
Christ is worth the living, just because he lives.

Happy Easter!!!

Colorful Quotes: A Quote By Trina Paulus About Becoming a Butterfly

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked.

"You must want to fly so much that you are willing

to give up being a caterpillar."

~Trina Paulus

This quote really spoke to me today. The process of metamorphosis that a caterpillar goes through to become a butterfly is so symbolic of what we go through as humans as we grow through adversity. As a Christian who is actively putting my faith in Christ alone for physical healing and physical and spiritual transformation, I am especially feeling the discomfort of no longer wanting to be resting in this cocoon! I left the caterpillar stage about three years ago and as I've had these past three years to rest and Be Still in God, I am really getting excited about being free to fly. 

Be Still and know that I am God. ~Psalm 46:10

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her. ~Luke 1:45

For nothing is impossible with God. ~Luke 1:37

Having HOPE will give you courage. ~Job 18:11

And then I found this beautiful poem!

I tell of hearts and souls and dances...

Butterflies and second chances;

Desperate ones and dreamers bound,

Seeking life from barren ground,

Who suffer on in earthly fate

The bitter pain of agony hate,

Might but they stop and here forgive

Would break the bonds to breathe and live

And find that God in goodness brings

A chance for change, the hope of wings

To rest in Him, and self to die

And so become a butterfly. 

~ Karen Kingsbury, Oceans Apart

For more inspirational quotes please see my Colorful Quotes page. I also have a very encouraging Faith board on Pinterest.

Proverbs 16:3 and a Joseph Campbell Quote

Joseph Campbell says it well

"We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, 

so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

I painted this little painting last year after talking to my college-age daughter. We had a conversation about letting go of what you think you want and instead, letting God lead you to something better. (Unless of course, what you want is what he wants for you. And even then... letting Him take it is a guarantee that it is right) It was a great revelation for her, so she texted me to tell me about it.
"Oh, well... I thought that was what I wanted, but it isn't working out that way, so I will stop trying to make it happen, accept it and move on to what God has in mind for me." When you give your plans to God, you can rest assured that he will guide and it will happen and be right and good and successful; because He keeps his word and He can do anything. He is GOD, after all! "For nothing is impossible with GOD." Luke 1:37

Proverbs 16:3 says it even better

 "Commit your works to the LORD, And your plans will be established."

Colorful Quotes: A Photo of a Bear and a Nature Quote From Albert Einstein

There's a Bear! Where? Over there!

This happened to us last summer. We were on our annual family vacation in Northern Wisconsin where there are lots and lots of bears (and mosquitos!!!!) We all long to see a bear and sometimes we do, but not every time, and not this up-close and personal. And we were safely seated in our car, so we could snap as many pictures as we needed. It was the best!!!

So I created this image with a nature quote by Albert Einstein that I love.

Look deep into nature,

and then you will understand 

everything better.

~Albert Einstein

For more pics of this beautiful creature and and her cubs, please see my post from last summer: There's a Bear!

I love bears so much I even created a Pinterest board for them.

An Irish Blessing for you on this Saint Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

May the blessings of each day

be the blessings you need the most.

~Irish Blessing

Spring Fever

It's Spring fever.
That is what the name of it is.
And when you've got it,
you want - oh, you don't quite know
what it is you do want,
but it just fairly makes your heart ache,
you want it so!
~Mark Twain

Spring Fever is rampant in my neck of the woods! It's too early to get it. People are doing a lot of complaining. People are pale and tired of the snow. Even life-time residents act surprised with each cold, dark, snowy day. The problem is, the earlier you get it, the longer it lasts! So, I'm holding it back by acknowledging it, but not succumbing to it. I took this picture three years ago. My neighborhood church has three glorious fruit trees on its property and they are lush with these flowers in the spring. Here, in Eastern Washington spring comes late, but it does come and it is beautiful! When it does, I plan to soak up every bit of its beauty and warmth.

For more inspiring quotes please see my Colorful Quotes page!

Colorful Quotes: Treat the World Better Than it Treats You!

I love this quote by Patrick Stump. I think of those times when I have had a really bad day and it seems to be such a snowball effect. Bad just keeps on building until it's really bad! So, I love the idea of stopping the cycle by treating yourself and others better. Just pour out love and goodness and kindness!

This is a picture of my view one beautiful, winter morning and it makes me feel peaceful, so I used it as a background for this awesome quote. Enjoy!

When you have a bad day,

a really bad day,

try and treat the world

better than it treated you.

~Patrick Stump

For more inspirational quotes please see my Colorful Quotes page. 

Reminders for a Better World

I'm worn out from this past political season. Between that and my own personal health issues and just lots of life stuff happening, I've become sort of stuck again with keeping up with my blog. So, in the interest of making an attempt to jump back in and to further my personal mission to promote love, kindness, beauty, and all things God-breathed, I've created this positive message from a photo I took of a heart in the clouds. At the time, this heart-shaped cloud was a perfect reminder of hope and of prayers being answered.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

In all things give thanks.

~1Thessalonians 5:18

Thank you, Veterans! God Bless You and God Bless America!

Thank you, Veterans - with respect, honor, and gratitude.

United States Veterans, thank you for your service. For everything you have sacrificed and endured in the name of freedom, I am eternally grateful. Thank you to your families, also. May God bless you in every way.

 

Thank you, Veterans for your service and sacrifice -

 because Freedom isn't Free. 

Hello November, 2016

Hello beautiful November, 2016. You arrived all moody and brooding;

with your dark skies and hints of blue; chilly temps and bright sunshine;

your mix of bare branches and yellowing leaves -

I think I love you...

For more images with inspiring words and quotes please see my Colorful Quotes page.

I LOVE Pinterest! Come see what I'm pinning!

Colorful Quotes: It's all About Your Attitude!

It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which,

more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.

~William James

When I was a teenager my dad used to say, "Deborah Lynn, adjust your attitude!" Boy, did I get tired of hearing that! Ha! Dad was right though, and as I grew up a bit I soon realized that my attitude was one thing in life that I did, indeed have control of. This way of thinking has served me well. As I look back on my life now, realizing that I have lived for 30-some years with a chronic illness, (and didn't really know it) I know that a positive attitude and my Faith in God has helped me to have a good quality of life and lots of JOY, despite physical pain, exhaustion, and confusion due to illness and to regular life stuff! Plus, my attitude right now- today is one of HOPE and FAITH in a full recovery and healing! Yay for a positive attitude!

If you have a dream, don’t just sit there.

Gather courage to believe that you can succeed

 and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality.

~Roopleen

If you are distressed by anything external,

the pain is not due to the thing itself,

but to your estimate of it;

and this you have the power

to revoke at any moment.

~Marcus Aurelius

For more inspirational quotes please visit my Colorful Quotes page.
I love Pinterest! You can follow me on Pinterest!

Love Sweet Love

LOVE bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.

~1 Corinthians 13:7

There is no fear in LOVE.

Perfect LOVE drives out fear.

~1 John 4:18

Do everything in LOVE.

1 Corinthians 16:14

We need love, love, and more love!!!

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

It's the only thing that there's just too little of

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

No, not just for some but for everyone

Lord, we don't need another mountain

There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb

There are oceans and rivers enough to cross

Enough to last 'till the end of time

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

It's the only thing that there's just too little of

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

No, not just for some but for everyone

Lord, we don't need another meadow

There are cornfields and wheat fields enough to grow

There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine

Oh, listen, lord, if you want to know

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

It's the only thing that there's just too little of

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

No, not just for some, oh, but just for ever, every, everyone

What the world needs now is love, sweet love (oh, is love)

What the world needs now is love, sweet love (oh, is love)

What the world needs now is love, sweet love (oh, is love)

Written by Burt Bacharach, Hal David • Copyright

I Love Living at the Lake and I Love this Lake Quote

A lake is the landscape's

most beautiful and expressive feature.

It is earth's eye;

looking into which the beholder

measures the depth of his own nature.

~Henry David Thoreau

I live on a beautiful little lake in Eastern Washington and I am grateful for it every single day! In fact, the image above was taken a couple of weeks ago on an evening cruise just before sunset. It was magical. I wanted it to last forever. Fortunately, every glance of my sweet little lake is almost this breathtaking. Ahhh...

Cheers! To all things beautiful

and all things good and wonderful.

God is good!

For more images with quotes see my Colorful Quotes page. I post lots of pics of my gorgeous lake view on Instagram. Follow me there!

Suffering, Holding on to Hope, and Using our Super-Powers for Good!

I discovered a few months ago that I have an auto-immune disease. Ugh! I was not surprised with the diagnosis. I knew I had it. I suspect I've had it for 20 years - maybe more. Although, it has become much worse over the last few years and I'm sooo tired of being sick and exhausted and in pain. I will write about it sometime in the hopes of it being cathartic and for the possibility of helping others who are suffering, as well. For right now, it just feels too negative to dwell on it long enough to write about the details. I'm not in denial. In fact, I am facing it head on, but somehow, I am not completely comfortable with sharing it so openly. Funny, if anyone asks, I have no trouble blurting out its yucky name. But, as soon as I say it I am torn between feeling a sense of relief and a sense of regret. I guess I am afraid of being labeled or limited in the eyes of others. Plus, I just don't want to give it negative energy. I am investing what energy I do have in healing, positive energy. This disease explains why I've struggled with pain, exhaustion, expanding waistline, and sooo much more. But, it doesn't change who I am. It has tried, but I won't let it define me. I hope you are able to do the same with whatever you suffer from in this life... I've learned through this that your pain is something you have - not who you are. And, there is always hope! I do cling to hope of remission, of healing. I woke up to this view a few days ago and it made me grateful and it made me think of hope.

There was never a night or a problem 

that could defeat sunrise or hope.

~Bernard Williams

I have such a heart of compassion for those of you with chronic suffering, whether it is a physical illness, a mental illness, addiction, or ongoing self-esteem issues. Whoever you are, I am sorry. I have found inspiration and the ability to persevere through my faith in God, the act of creating, and also from interacting, listening, and reading the stories of others.

I don't personally believe that God gives us illness and suffering. We live in a world that is flawed. It is part of the deal with being human - it comes with the job. I do maintain in my beliefs that God can and will make good come of any trial we face. I believe we are all given gifts from God - that he instills in us our deepest desires. Our gifts are our super-powers We all have them. I truly believe that our desires and our super-powers are the direct path to our purpose. What are your super-powers? Do you know? Do you use them with joy and gratitude? It's not bragging to claim them and use them. It is a beautiful thing. We need more super-heroes! Our talents are inspired. (God-breathed) If used with the purpose of honoring God, who gifted them to us and with serving others then our world is made better. By using our gifts we bring more focus to God, more light, and more beauty to this world. I consider my super-powers to be my treasure and I am incredibly grateful. My super-powers are: Kindness, Compassion, Empathy, Encouragement, Optimism, and CREATIVITY. (Oh, and mothering. I am a good mom.) I am owning them, using them, and contributing with them every chance I get.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Philippians 4:8

So, life is hard. Life is full of pain and suffering. Focusing on and talking about pain, suffering, the negative, bad, ugly, the dark and evil of this world gives it energy.

I don't mean turning our backs to the suffering. And I'm not implying that sharing our personal stories of suffering contributes to this negative energy, especially if one of our super-powers is writing or public speaking! I have been comforted and inspired by people who have openly shared their struggles. It makes me know that I am not alone. It reinforces my super-power for compassion. And if per chance someone shares their triumph over their situation - I feel a sense of joy and celebration for their success. And, renewed hope.

For some, their super-power is fighting for justice, for freedom, healing illness, taking on and joining causes, saving lives, sheltering animals or the homeless. They are the more obvious heroes. But, we all can be heroes because all of our super-powers come from God and we all have them! Now let's use them for good - for God's plan- for the easing of suffering- for the creation of beauty. Let's be an inspiration! I feel deep gratitude and admiration for all of the heroes. You dreamers, story tellers, artists, poets, writers, cooks, makers; you soldiers, teachers, mentors, healers, you moms and dads and grandparents, you friends and net-workers who bring people together, you coaches, cheerleaders and encouragers - I am inspired by you.

And, for anyone needing something to cling to - how about hope?

"Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times."
~Romans 12:12

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

~Romans 15:13

Thank You Veterans!

How important it is for us to recognize 

and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!

~Maya Angelou

I am forever grateful. Thank you, Veterans.

Follow Debbie's board Sweet Land of Liberty on Pinterest.

Gratitude, the Best Way to Start Your Day!

God, thank you for this day!

Follow Debbie's board Thanks & Gratitude on Pinterest.