GOOD MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD - NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

 

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... When a fireman plunges into a flaming building despite its dangers and saves a person.... when a miserable dog is rescued from its cruel owners by a stranger unmindful of the risk of harm to himself.... when persons, friend and strangers alike, persevere in saving lives in the great flood regardless of the danger it poses to their own.... and many other unselfish acts done by amazing people --- one can't help but be downright touched and immeasurably impressed by such show of courage and selflessness.
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When desert flowers thrive despite its dry and harsh environment.... when trees hold up their faces defiantly against the strong stormy winds.... when waters roll down towards the shore and then retreats back to the ocean.... when the sun rises in the morning with its glorious light... and sets quietly at sundown yet promising to return in the morn... when the skies fill up with gentle clouds in the day.... and fill up with brilliant stars at night... when Mother Nature weaves her magic around us reflecting and deflecting both good and bad --- one simply stands in awe over such precision and order.
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Then one begins to think..... and thank
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--- the person or persons who gave of themselves so that others (animals included) may continue to enjoy the gift of life. Thank them for their unselfish sharing of their talent, energies, resources, brilliance of mind, strength of heart, and goodness of spirit.

..and

---the One GOD who sets down all of creation and their limits but weaves them altogether into a magnificent masterpiece.
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But above all, thank this same GOD --- the creator of all things visible and invisible who makes life and people sooooo beautiful!!! Man's basic good is a gift from God. Mother Earth's bounty is God's blessing beyond compare. Everything works together, directly or indirectly BY GOD'S DESIGN.
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Which reminds me of this wonderful line spoken by a good person and friend here in Fb....... "Thank Him always but also give credit to where it is due." Thank you, Maria. Keep shining with your light.
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May the blessings of the Holy Week observance renew your lives and spirit. In Christ. Be blessed and stay blessed.

SUNRISE --- BREATH OF LIFE

 

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Words are not enough to express its beauty.

Let these pictures speak for themselves.

(Big thanks to the internet and to the wonderful people who photographed these outstanding pieces.)

FALLING IN LOVE WITH MOTHER NATURE AGAIN

It was just an ordinary afternoon -- warm, breezy but it felt right for a walk. So I told my daughter to stop whatever it was she was doing in the kitchen and come with me. We dressed and put on our rubbers and hied off to our one hour of escape... she from her chores and me from my reading.

Out on the street to begin our first leg of the 'journey' we looked up at the sky as we would always do to check for rain. Oh but it was such a lovely sky -- the clearest of blue and cotton-like clouds traipsing across the wide azure expanse. We literally basked in its glorious beauty.

Then we walked. Finishing one block of our huge neighborhood and rounding the first corner we were met by two barking dogs trying to run us off like we had stepped on forbidden ground -- their ground. But we paid them no mind. My daughter herself said Hi! to one which apparently was caught by surprise and left bewildered. We both caught that expression and laughed with great amusement. I'll give it to her -- she knows dogs.

Then the walk took us to higher ground and thick foliage seen lining the right side of the road while opposite it were rows of houses. Nothing new there, seen them many times before in other walks.

But not when you see Mother Nature.....

Exquisite flowers wild and free. A rust colored leaf softly drifting down from a tree. The new sound of birds' song filling the air. The interplay of light and shadow on leafy branches here and there. Or the grace of a clingy vine rising up the gnarled bark of an old majestic tree. Always she gives us new reason for falling in love with her again and again you'll agree.

And my daughter saw these with her eyes. She lost no time to record each discovery with her phone-cam taking countless pictures while I stood by watching. Then I thought if she can see and appreciate beauty from ordinary settings then I know that it won't be difficult for her to see good where good can be found whatever the circumstance. It is important for her to learn this.

As it was getting close to sunset we decided to head back to the house. It was at the last incline before walking down and back to our street that my daughter called my attention and excitedly pointed to a glorious sunset on the far horizon.

Ablaze with the brilliant colors of red-orange-yellow it was one of the loveliest sunsets I have ever seen. It took our breaths away standing there gazing enthralled at such a magnificent display. Until the sun finally bid adieu and made its graceful exit home. Thus the afternoon walk came to an end. With hearts full we walked back home content and happy..... and so in love with Mother Nature once again.

(Pictures courtesy of my daughter)

HAVE WE LEARNED YET?

What's on my mind? How fragile life is. How things - possessions - memories - can easily be lost. How the unexpected can touch & alter people's lives. How miserable this world can be. And how we have contributed to this misery in some stupid way or ways.

Are we learning our bitter lessons now? Or do we need another disaster or calamity to tell us to love...

ourselves,
life,
people,
Mother Earth, and
our God BETTER!

MUCH MUCH BETTER!

Where to from here?

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Sindhu :) said...

Its pretty strange how people get carried away by material things in search of some temporary happiness while they end up ignoring the really valuable things in life.

The world would be so much more a better place to live in if we could only stop for a moment to look around ourselves and give a thought to people/beings around us!

Friday, October 09, 2009

Ellen said...

Hi Sindhu,

How true. Sadly, we tend to take for granted those things which truly matter most. Maybe that's human nature. But then we also fail to understand that we are gifted with 'free will' and by this we can try to change us. And that by changing ourselves, we can hope to change the world and truly make it a better place.

Tall order? Maybe. But who's stopping us from trying? :-)

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Being Pramoda... said...

hi ellen,

good qsn..i dont have answer nw..may be humans can answer this with time..lets hope for the best .. thanks for ur wishes..yaa at our place also it hit very badly,,:(

hwo abt the recovery thr?

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Ellen said...

Hi Pram,

Yes, you're right, some things can only be answered in time. But maybe we could help it quickly along by laying the groundwork now.

Recovery here is ongoing. Slow due to some inadequacies but pushing hard. Gratitude flows towards the thousands who have lent their hands, time, energies, hearts, skills, talents, resources... both the public and private sectors, domestic and international .. in giving help where help was urgently needed. And still is. Steadfast prayers will undoubtedly set our battered sails to safer ground. I wish the same too for your own disaster stricken areas.

God bless you and your people.

Saturday, October 10, 2009