Focusing on Thinking...

"My mind is a garden. My thoughts are the seeds. My harvest will be either flower or weeds." - Mel Weldon

I recently finished reading, and rereading again the following week, a book that focuses on gratitude and generosity in every day things, and the impact you can have on others. The book is "One Simple Act" by Debbie Macomber. Since reading it, one of the things I have been trying to do every day is find the positive, the blessing, in every situation.

I'll tell you the first thing I realized - it takes a lot of practice!!! The lessons came at a perfect time for me, the last two weeks being the most stressful I have had in many years. I do think that trying to find the positive in a broken toilet (an opportunity for some good laughter with my daughter while up to my elbows in toilet water), or learning to run our tractor to mow the yard (3 hours of quiet time to myself), have helped me get by. I wish I had read the book earlier this summer before the air conditioning went out in my car...

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." - Confucius

A Little Piece of Peace

"If you yourself are at peace, then there is at least some peace in the world." - Thomas Merton

As I strive to put myself at peace this afternoon, I have decided to try to share the few small bits I have found with you. I found that I can find much peace and inspiration in simple quotes and stories. I have collected quite a few over the past months, and even years I suppose, and have decided to post them on my blog. I have a feeling the chosen quote will reflect my current mood, and I may share a thought as well.

I hope that you might find some inspiration in the quotes as well. Enjoy!

"Having spent the better part of my life trying to either relive the past or experience the future before it arrives, I have come to believe that in between these two extremes is peace." - Unknown