Wordless Wednesday ~ July 21st

I do have to add a few words today:
Happy Birthday to my wonderful friend Maria & my lovely cousin Liz!!

Wordless Wednesday ~ July 14th

Dreaming & Doing ~ July 11th

It's Sunday, a good day for dreaming and doing. Today, for the first time, I am going to take part in Illustration Friday. My friend Silke at Metamorphosis has been participating for awhile now, and I think it looks like fun. This week's theme is diary. As soon as I saw that, I thought of a series of photos of my journal that I had taken last year. I've posted one above.



Keeping a diary, or journal, means different things to different people. For me, it is a tool I use to focus. I don't place any pressure on myself to write in my journal on a daily basis. Rather, I wait for the inspiration, or in some cases, the need, to come. Then I pick up my journal and my pen and begin letting the thoughts, dreams, and words flow. I've found that it is a way to open a door to my deeper self and to explore whatever is waiting for me there.



I know that lots of folks resist the idea of writing in a journal or diary. But there are unexpected gifts to be gotten from this process. If you haven't considered writing down your thoughts, dreams, and hopes, I encourage you to give it a try. You might be surprised at what you find waiting for you, deep within yourself.

Wordless Wednesday ~ July 7th

July 4, 2010 ~ Independence Day

Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom. - Einstein



Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us. - Stephen Covey



Just living is not enough, said the butterfly, one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower. - Hans Christian Anderson



As you barbecue the hamburgers and watch the fireworks this weekend, why not take a moment to appreciate what you have? Whether or not you are an American, chances are you have much to feel good about. Your friends, family, home (be it humble or grand), community, talents, passions -- and most important of all -- the freedom to choose what you'll focus on in any given moment. More than any other person or event, it is your focus that will ultimately determine your personal happiness. Use your freedom of thought wisely this weekend, and have a wonderful holiday!

Summer Colours ~ Green Day

I've so been enjoying Summer Colours week on Flickr. Thank you to Poppytalk for creating this great photo group! We've already had pink day and yellow day. Now it's Wednesday, and the emphasis is on the many shades of green, from emerald to lime to mint and every other shade in-between.



For the rest of my green images -- and all of the others in this inspiring gallery -- go right over to Summer Colours and check them all out!

My 100th Post & Summer Colours

I just realized that this is my 100th post! Wow, that's a milestone. I need to thank my friend Silke at Metamorphosis, because she is the person who got me interested in blogging. Although I do not post as regularly as she does, I've found the blogworld to be a lovely place to connect with people from all over the globe. Whenever I need some creative inspiration, I turn to my blogger friends, and they never disappoint.

Speaking of inspiration and blogland fun, I'm participating in Poppytalk's Summer Colours Week. Yesterday was pink day, and I'm proud to say that Popppytalk chose my pink sunset photo for inclusion in her highlights of the day.

Today it's all about yellow. Here are some of my yellow photos.


You'll find more here.

I like having something like Summer Colours to focus on. It's positive, it's inspiring, and it gets the creative juices flowing. What I have realized time and time again is that it really is the little things that add up to making a rich, fulfilling life. Maybe taking a few photos and posting them on the Web doesn't seem like a life-changing event. But having that positive focus -- both for the folks participating and the ones who are viewing the gallery -- can make all the difference.

Here's hoping you have a bright Tuesday filled with plenty of small but happy moments! Thanks so much for reading Beth's Take on Life!