Today I am thankful for...

Sunshine

While walking these days, I'm aware of the warmth of sunshine on my shoulders.  I feel it sinking into my body, warming my bones.  Thankful am I.

I have been blessed to see the sun rise in the desert...

...the sun set over the ocean...

...the sun filter through the sheltering trees of the woods and forests.

Oh yes, I am ever so thankful.

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow." - Helen Keller

My Place

 

My soul comes alive in the presence of vastness.  When I was recently in Nevada my grandchildren and I would go outside, into the dark of night, and sit looking at the stars above.   We could see from horizon to horizon.  I was in awe while my soul was at peace.

When I am in the desert, where the view is never ending, I feel my heart fill with the miracle of it all.  I celebrate this earth and my teeny, tiny place in it.

 

When the ocean waves break -- one after another -- and I look out to the horizon seeing all that water in front of me my heart sings.

 

I am such a miniscule part of this universe -- and looking at the world around me makes me realize that the every day of my life is only one iota of the whole system (if even that).  These thoughts free me -- they allow me to put everything into perspective.  I will never learn all of the mysteries of the universe but I am so very glad that I am here to nurture it as I can and let it nurture me.

"Do not look at stars as bright spots only. Try to take in the vastness of the universe." - Maria Mitchell