HQ - Ti lascio una canzone - 'O sole mio: Trio Ginoble-Boschetto-Barone - Live

I may have posted this before but it's such a beautifully performed song. I hope it takes you to a happy place. It does for me every time I listen to it.

Behind Every Cloud There's a Silver Lining

Photo courtesy of: http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/annienc/
"Winter in Venice with the sun setting behind the church of San Giorgio Maggiore "

"Above all else: go out with a sense of humor.

It is needed armor.

Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life."~Hugh Sidey

Above quote from:http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/andasamo/2009/09/gratitude_fridaylaughter.html

It's been hard for me to see the glass as half full lately. I have been feeling quite challenged by some recent difficult events. I've been praying for restoration of my usual positive vision in life. I've been reflecting on things I post in my own blog for strength through the words of others that have given me joy in the past. I've looked to other posts for spiritual renewal and I've prayed every day for patience and guidance and strength.

This morning I believe my prayers led me to two blogsites. One for the photo posted above which made me think: " how can I feel sad when there is a sunset on our earth as beautiful as this one. " Just the lovely, romantic title, "Winter in Venice" brought happiness to my heart. Then I read this verse by Hugh Sidney that another friend had posted on her blog which reminded me how important it is to keep laughter in our lives. Thanks to those two bloggers and to all the kind friends who have offered words of support and love during my time of challenges.

When I put things into perspective it is far more important for me to focus on the positives in life.

As my daughters always tell me:

"Everything will be okay!"

Overcoming the Hurdles in Life

"Failure is only the opportunity
to begin again
more intelligently." -Henry Ford

Don't Be Sorry

Photo: Anne's Blog http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/andasamo/

"Life isn't supposed to be an all or

nothing battle between misery and bliss.

Life isn't supposed to be a battle at all.

And when it comes to happiness,

well,

sometimes life is just okay,

sometimes it's comfortable,

sometimes wonderful,

sometimes boring,

sometimes unpleasant.

When your day's not perfect,

it's not a failure or a terrible loss.

It's just another day."

-Barbara Sher

The Way You View Things

image via fffound

“Adventure is a path. Real adventure - self-determined, self-motivated, often risky - forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind - and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.”

-Mark Jenkins

What Matters

"What lies before us and
what lies behind us are
small matters compared
to what lies within us."

Happy 21st Birthday Athena

Hey, "Happy Birthday MAARTHA!!" ...uh....uh... ooooh Saw-weeee....I mean... Happy, Happy 21st Birthday ATHENA!....

(Got any Peach Cream?)

Athena, Dad and I wish you the very happiest 21st birthday and a year ahead that is filled to over flowing with joy and fulfillment. You are such a sweetheart! We Love YOU!

"May your coming year be filled with

magic and dreams and good

madness. I hope you read some fine

books and kiss someone who thinks

you're wonderful, and don't forget

to make some art-write or draw or

build or sing or live as only you can.

And I hope, somewhere in the next

year, you surprise yourself."

-Neil Gaiman

Wishing you a lovely 21st year!