Learning to snowboard.
Monthly Archives: October 2014
WordPress Weekly Challenge: Signs (Part 1)
The Word Press Weekly Photo Challenge this week is signs. I don’t usually photograph many signs but I think I found a few interesting signs for your enjoyment.
Here goes:
A friend visited from the states and we did a wee ticky-tour of Milford Sound and Te Anua. We stopped for a coffee and found this hilarious sign.
I get very excited when I see American candy here. However, I’m never quite as excited about the price. OMG!
This sign sits at Gem Stone Beach. Filling in the day hunting for treasures on this beach is a great fun.
Beautiful little lake on the road to Milford Sound, NZ.
When You Seek, You Find, You Become
Rock Bottom
“Rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” -J. K. Rawlings
Kaikora, New Zealand
Cozy Nook
Riverton Beach, New Zealand
We have learned to start over since childhood. Piles of paper crumpled on the floor as we started rewriting an assignment. Rebuilding a sandcastle destroyed by a playful sibling. Or maybe redoing kindergarten to ensure foundational knowledge was gained.
I once tried to cut my own hair. Talk about an epic fail. The stylist told me it looked like it had been cut with a knife and spoon. Thank God for Google because I didn’t give up doing it myself. I needed to start over and gain some skill.
I’ve had to rebuild several times in my lifetime; financially, in love, in career, and physical and emotional health.
I imagine in the darkest hours of one’s life, “begin again” would seem useless or uncaring advice. But it is indeed the answer.
All life challenges bring about an ending–and the chance for a beginning. Starting over produces fear, anxiety and sadness but with the right, solid foundation a new start can bring unimaginable benefits.
For me, faith has been the most solid place to begin to rebuild. From this foundation, I have applied truths of forgiveness, gained courage and reassurance, and applied wisdom for making better decisions than I had previously.
Have you ever had to start over or rebuild in your life? What was the foundation you found most beneficial?
A rock is a symbol of stability, dependability and strength.
When beginning again or rebuilding make sure to check that you are building on a solid foundation.
D
On the Edge: Which Way Do You Go?
Which way is the right way when you are standing on the edge?
Down.
Right?
Easy peasy.
It’s called a leap of faith.
How else will you know how it feels to fly?
Photography Hacks: 9 DIY Camera Filters
Originally posted on Crafted in Carhartt:
In the age of easily applied photo filters, pictures with effects applied are common enough. But how often do you see pictures that are artistically enhanced by hand instead of by technology? Follow these steps and…
How to Live Life Out Loud
Live life out loud:
Pour the light of love over everyone you love.
Have the courage to be creative.
Color your world.
Look on the bright side.
Think happy thoughts.
Keep your face turned toward the sunSon.
Make amazing things happen.
“Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint you can on it.” -Danny Kaye
Start with yellow.
Keeping colouring, my friend. It’s not just for kids, you know.
D
How To Prevent Failed Relationships
How can two walk together unless they agree?
Relationship is the hardest work you will ever do. Don’t you think? Two or more people with differing cultural, family, traditional, spiritual and economical values, opinions and aspirations attempt to walk together. We join others in relationship for sports, business, hobbies, community, life and a variety of other reasons. Once we make the decision we want to work together…the fun begins as long as we keep a clear focus on why we wanted to be together in the first place.
Otherwise, we loose our minds in craziness. Have you ever noticed how purely ridiculous things can become when we attempt to walk together and don’t agree? That’s the point we are in danger of no longer walking together.
Agreement is the key. Do we always agree? NO!!!! When we don’t agree, what then?
When I ask that question, if your mind only goes to the differences people have in the areas I mentioned above, you most likely will never reach agreement.
Agreement is harmony. The sound of a beautiful melody or symphony. The dictionary used the word accordance. A chord is made up of differing notes put together to make music. Accordance happens when we take our individual differences in opinion and feeling and make them work together for the relationship. I like the thought of that. But then, again, that is the work of relationship…and remember I have already said that its the hardest work you will ever do. However, the reward of walking together is much easier on the heart then a break-up and heartache.
Did you know that another meaning for agreement is consistency? Everyone who has taken to hard work understands consistency and its benefits. My home town, Chattanooga, just hosted an Ironman Competition. The preparation for entering the race commands hours, days, weeks and even months of hard, consistent training.
We know this concept.
We’ve got this down pat in many areas of our lives.
We consistently get up day in and day out and head to work. There are days we want to cover our heads with the blankets but we like eating more, so we get up.
Speaking of eating, I consistently feed my face. To be honest, I’m not always thinking about the health of my body. Somedays it’s all about the chocolate. Nonetheless, I am consistent to fuel my body because I want to stay alive. I’m not crazy about the alternative.
Here’s the thing, we understand the importance of consistency in most everything we do. We have practiced it over and over again. Really, we are agreeing to do what it takes in those areas of our lives to make things work. I think, as hard as it is, it’s also that simple. Looking at the signals, coming to terms together on the best course of action and then doing it together to ensure the best or desired result.
The individuals in a relationship may be the greatest stars in the world, but if they don’t work together, they won’t succeed.
Relationship is an ever growing process. It develops in the ups and downs, when you’ve suffered together, cried together, and laughed together.
Succeeding in relationship requires that the people involved recognize that they have responsibilities as well as rights. Asking only what’s in it for me means we forget our destinies are bound together. Without commitment to others, without love, charity, duty, and consistency (agreement) we destine ourselves to failure.
Together we can face any challenges as deep as the sea and as high as the sky.
Do you know the saying, “Birds of a feather flock together?” Let me just say this, if you are constantly entering bad relationships check your feathers. If you possess a hurting heart full of pain, rejection, anger, bitterness, and hatred, you will notice those types of birds flocking toward you. Get well. Search for wholeness…fix those things. Believe me, I know you may not have the energy, feel brave enough or know where to begin. I have been in exactly the place you are sitting. It’s excruciatingly painful. It’s exhausting. It’s frustrating. And it’s numbing. However, wholeness is better. You will need time. You will need support. You will need help. You will need courage.
But YOU can do this.
You must do this to break the continuum of bad relationships.
Anytime we come together with collective intention, it’s a powerful thing.
When we work smarter not harder, we can argue real life issues together and solve problems. Both sides who are willing to work together will make great progress.
And isn’t the the real reason we gather together anyway? To make life better, stronger, happier?
Let’s keep our focus. Let’s accomplish long lives of love, hope, and joy.
Start by walking together in agreement. I know you can!
D
deeclarknz.com 