Daily gifts...

Thank you for the life you nurture and share...

Thank you for your beauty that

touches our hearts

and lifts our spirits! 

The unlimited gifts of each day...

beautifulfreepictures.com

Thank you golden sun

for the brightness and warmth

you bring to our days!



The Sound of Music....

 

After watching the  "The Sound of Music"

last night...

I heard the song in a whole new way....

It brought me to tears....

The hills are alive with the sound of music

with songs they have sung

for a thousand years....

 

We humans have lost touch with that

magnificent aliveness...

and the incredible number of songs

being sung each day!!

 

 



The Gift that keeps on giving....

beautifulfreepictures.com

This Christmas

give the gift

that keeps on Giving...

Invite and encourage

family members

and

loved ones...

To be with

Mother Earth.

Enjoy the moon and the stars...

Notice the beauty

in your back yard...

Blow bubbles...

Have Fun.

Re-Awaken

your connection

to

Mother Earth...

She is truly

the gift that keeps on Giving!!



Gift yourself....

beautifulfreepictures.com

As we move toward

the wonderful holiday season

Gift YOURSELF

with some time and some space

so that you can capture

and enjoy

the gifts each holiday offers.

Keep it simple

and

Make if Fun!

 



An inexpensive yet treasured holiday gift!

Do you know the gift you are?

DarleneAnnBradleeFB

Thank you

Darlene

for this

beautiful rose...

May she be a reminder

to each of us

of our own beauty

and of the gifts

WE ARE!

Take some time each day

to notice

and

celebrate

The Gift of YOU!!

Thank you dear Mother...

I don't ever want to

take your love

and generosity

for granted.

 

May I remember

each day

to tell you

how much I love

and appreciate

all that you

Give

to enrich,

 sustain and nurture 

all LIFE.

 

May my actions

reflect that love

and

honor and respect

the Sacredness

of all that

YOU

Share with us.



Don't miss this each day...

beautifulfreepictures.org

How beautiful....!

The deep color and shadows

given to us all

for free,

in our own

  night sky!!!

Thank you Luv!!

The power of "Moods"...

facebook

Dealing with the ups and downs of each day

can be difficult.

I find it helpful to know that Mother Earth

also has her ups and downs in each day

and that her "mood" like ours, can be reflected in

numerous ways.

The changing cloud patterns and colors in the sky...

The changes in temperature that can spike high

and then drop low..

The changes in our ocean waters that can move from lapping and calm,

to rough and wild...

We see this too, with sister wind from gentle and calm to bold and fierce. 

The rapidly changing degrees of light, from bright and golden sun

to dusk, night and early dawn.

Each affecting the other moment to moment.

We see this every day

and yet today

I see it more clearly as

a way for Mother Earth and each of the Elements

as a whole

to share their "moods".

And we thought we were the only ones!

As intricate as change can be,

it is amazing to know that we

also can affect all of these moods,

our own, and Mother Earth's,

with the energy of our thoughts

and feelings...Wow!!

 

 

 

 

Trumpet of beauty..



Just Enjoy!!

The Gift of Beauty...

beautifulfreepictures.com

The Gift of Beauty...

I love the way the gentle light

enhances the simplicity

of each branch!

Peace...

Have we and our children

forgotten this gift of beauty?

What is your song?

Country Roads fb

Sing your unique song..

In doing so

 Others

will find the courage

 and joy

to do the same!!



Is it just me?

beautifulfreepictures.com

In a conversation  about food,

I was saying that I considered all

the creatures, plants and animals

 that give their lives,

so that we are fed and nourished,

to be Sacred.

An immediate response was, "but

they are just animals, that's what they are

supposed to do...they are here

for our food."

I had a real hard time with the

response.

Is it just me?

What would you say?

 

Help me to see as you see...

Let's reclaim

the

eyes

of the child

in us..

To see again

the wonders

all around us!!

Refresh yourself...

Create simple spots of beauty

in your home,

so that when you are tired

or cranky,

just giving a simple glance,

will put a smile on your face

and help to change

your energy.

Make it something fun to do..

not work!!

Enjoy!!

Celebrate the Gift YOU ARE...

If I'm going to Celebrate the Gift I AM

why am I using an image of Rose

that is flawed and not perfect?

So much of me was saying don't use

this picture... its not perfect!!

Why do I resist seeing markings
on a flower?

Our whole culture goes overboard

with adds and images

 that show flawless skin

and eternal youth.

 

Is the gift of Me truly dependent on

being flawless??
Just what is a flaw
and why am I
so resistant to flaws? 

Is Rose any less a Rose because of

her visible markings?

If I am only able to see myself

as Gift

when I am without markings..

I will never willingly

and joyfully

see

and delight in

the Gift

of Me!!

 I will be forever driven

by the need

to be flawless..

and that very drive..

will close my eyes

and my heart

to

The Gift I truly am!!

 

Beginning

Today

I choose

to see

Differently...

I choose

to honor and celebrate

the Gift

of

Who I AM..

with all of my markings

quirks

and so called
flaws.

I give thanks for my

uniqueness..

I celebrate

my differences

as they

bring

a wonderful sense

of

beauty in diversity,

and most of all

a true

Authenticity

and

Genuineness!
 

Thank you Rose..

for showing me

the very real Gift
of you
and
Me!!

A gentle hug...

Assunta M. Riley

May we take in the beauty and quiet..

even for a minute...

May that gentle quiet

hug you

as you move through

today..

So simple and yet not!

Assunta M. Riley

I was complaining to myself..

another gray day!!

And then I thought...

Can't you make a gray day

a good day??

I had a choice...

now...

what would I choose?

A gray day...

is

what I choose to make it?



The best of me...

beautifulfreepictures.com

This flower touched my heart

in the fullness of its giving!

Wide open

vulnerable

vibrant

May my life

reflect

the same gifts...
May I choose
to become
the
fullness of who I AM!!



Do you see all of me?

beautifulfreepictures.com

Just take a minute..

to enjoy the many elements

that contribute

to the beauty

of

Flower!



Peace..



 

Beautifulfreepictures.                                                Peace...

Peace...

        Peace...





You, matter!

We hear the words

often enough..

but

do we

take them in?

"The power of one"

Flower would not be

her most vibrant self

without

each

and

every

petal!

Each and every one

creates the gift

of

the

whole!

We need each other!

Before and after..not quite..

A perfect reflection of

"Before"

and

"After"

which is not quite

that clear cut.

 

The tightly closed bud

reminds us

of the

 slow and patient

movement

toward its flowering.

While

the beautiful blossom

announces

 the gift

 of that waiting time!

 

May we honor ourselves

and one another

as we journey through

our own waiting times

joyfully anticipating

the blossoming!

Let's glow..

 

The family of gentle golden petals

brings light to the dark soil.

Let's be that same light

on the gray and dark days!!

Let us also remember,
 the gift of the dark soil;
which provides the nourishment
and color
 that
allows
the golden petals
to so vibrantly
shine forth.

Is that not true
of our own lives?
We too
 shine forth
because of
the nourishment
and growth
during the dark times
of our own life journey!
 

One step done..rather than none!

With so many things calling for my attention

I needed to remind myself

 of the power

of

one.

One step..

One action...

One word...

can and does make a difference!

Take that one step...

and

know

you made a difference!!



Know the power of your light...

beautifulfreepictures.com

On difficult days

I need to be reminded

of the brilliant fire of light

that gently

colors the deep darkness.

May we be that light

for one another. 

 

You lift me up....

Beautifulfreepictures.com

Let the beauty of Mother Earth

and

all

Beings..

Lift your spirits

and

Warm your hearts!

What stops YOU from coming HOME?

beautifulfreepictures.com

I love this flower!

Her vibrant color..

Her family of buds..

Her extended family

of white tipped stems...

Unique

and

Beautiful...!

As we take in her beauty

may we also

open

our hearts

and

Come

Home

to

our Mother, Earth...!

 

Come home

to living in a way

that honors Her Life

and the Life

of all Beings..

 

Our

Coming Home

and

Connecting again

 with

Our Mother

will rekindle in us

the willingness

to live

differently

and

gift us

with improved health

and

fewer

violent

weather patterns.

Will we hear

Our Mother's

call

and

Come Home!!

We are with you..

Prayers are asked

for all Beings

affected

by Tornados

and other

changing weather

conditions.

We are with you,

We love you

We Care!

The time we don't want to take...

Beautifulfreepictures.com

I am fascinated by the

incredible number of petals

waiting to bud forth

within Rose.

 

Rose is smart enough

to know that

in their time

all of those inner layers

will come forth...

and

she is willing to

give each layer

the time they need.

 

We

like Rose..

have many layers

of growth

within us.

 

Are we as willing as Rose

to honor

the growth process

for each of those layers?

 

Patience

and

Waiting

are not beloved words

in our culture..

Fast and First

better describe the norm..

 

How much happier

and healthier

we could be

if 

 like Rose

We

 gave ourselves

the time we need

for all

that is coming to birth

within us!!

Reach for the stars...

beautifulfreepictures.com

 

Tree is challenging me

to reach for the stars...
To reach out of
my comfort zone...
and
this same challenge
to reach upward and beyond
confronts me
as I read the book
"Lean In"....
A successful woman's
journey
and the many times
she too
had to step
out of her comfort zone
and challenge
the many stereotypes
and barriers
women face
when they reach
 for
positions of
leadership and authority!

It is time

for me
and for
all women
to risk
reaching for the stars..

and fulfilling

 our dreams...

In unity and diversity

let us no longer hold back.
Our gifts and talents
are needed like never before...
Let us choose
to speak and to act
NOW
To reach for the stars
NOW

Let's BE the change

we are waiting for!!
NOW

 

Let the people of Iran know we care..

 

Our prayers are also with the people of Iran

who experienced a severe earthquake today.

Because of its depth

and

the fact that

 the epicenter was in

 a large unpopulated area

the number of deaths

was less than expected.

 

As thankful as we are for

the reduced number of deaths, 

this does not minimize

in any way

the pain and fear

currently being experienced.

Sending our love and prayers

can be a way of easing that pain

and helping the people of Iran

to know that they 

are not alone. 

Send prayers, love, peace and healing..

Please send prayers, love, peace, strength and

healing

to all those in Boston affected by the two bombs

that went off at the finish line of
the Boston Marathon!

It was reported that

Newtown Connecticut Family members

 were sitting in

VIP seats next to the area hit by

the bomb.

Love, peace, strength and healing

to all first responders

and those working in the hospitals..

Love, peace, strength and healing

to all families waiting word

of their loved ones.

 

Spirit of Love

Embrace Us ALL

with your strong

deep

and

abiding

LOVE

 



A gift offered...

Thank you for your beauty...

Your color brings joy to my heart..

and the number of your family members

amazes me..

your petals

your stem

your leaves

your core,

with its own centered family!!

You are amazing

and I am

so grateful

for

your presence!



How often do we think about it...?

How often do we remember

where our food comes from?

Really comes from....??

And.. when we remember..

how can we  forget

to say thank you?

Let's remind ourselves

and our children

about

Where our food comes from..

and take a moment

each day

to say thank you!

Urgent prayer...

Please pray

for our Sisters and Brothers

in Argentina,

who are experiencing

severe flooding...

Thank you.

Something to Celebrate..

BeautifulFreePictures.com

What caught my eye was this blossom's uniqueness...

and the large family of which she/he is a part!

Whats even more amazing,

and something we often take for granted

 is

that each blossom shares

the family traits

in their own unique way..

All are the same..

yet

different!

Nature is reflecting back to us

our own unique story..

 

Give thanks today

 for being a part

of an ongoing

and ever expanding family...

while also

Celebrating

your own 

wonderful

UNIQUENESS!

I never thanked YOU!

Beautifulfreepictures.com

Dear Flower, I love you..

Your color and texture

reflect the large family within you.

You bring joy to my heart.

 

I thank you for reminding me

that you also give your lives

as we humans gather you up

to bring your beauty

into our homes.

Sad to say,

I don't remember saying thank you

to you

for your gift...

I have given thanks

when I have received flowers,

but I don't ever remember

saying thank you

to you directly.

Forgive me...

 

I will now

remember to thank You

for the gift of you

each time you

or a family member

come into my life.



A key message for you...

facebook

Know...

you are loved

always

and

without conditions!!

A heartfelt reminder...

Beautifulfreepictures.com

Remember how Loved you are...

Each day during this Easter Season

take a few minutes to look back over your day..

and bring to mind

all of the ways

large and small

you have been reminded of how loved you are!

Enjoy...



I know...But!!

A-Z Animals

As we prepare to celebrate Easter

I see this precious chick in a whole new way.

 

My heart is broken after seeing a video

called "The Peaceable Kindgdom" yesterday at

a workshop at Rivier College.

 

The video presented graphic images of the treatment

of cows and chickens housed in "factory farms" here

in the United States.

 

Cruel, painful, horrible are a few of the words that came to mind as I watched through my tears.

These beautiful creatures give their lives

that we might eat...

and yet..

their sacrifice is not even honored or appreciated.

They are treated as objects...housed in a way

that insures large numbers, in a dark and overcrowded space,

so that their eggs and meat can be taken in as little time as possible for the cheapest over all cost!

And we think that our meat and our eggs

 are good and healthy?

I looked into the eyes of a terrified cow,

 being boxed in

and made ready for slaughter..

How is this healthy and good for ANYONE!! 

 

The frosting on the cake came when I remembered

something I saw just recently

 regarding pending legislation before congress.

A bill was being considered and may have already passed

that bans videos and pictures being taken at Factory Farm sites!!!!

The truth must come forth...

and the many creatures of our family

must be given the honor, protection

and sacred regard that they deserve.

They are giving their lives

that we might eat...

I know...

What stops us?

Beautifulfreepictures

The unique dark shading in each flower

has drawn my attention...

Each flower has it...

yet each in their own unique way..

I also love the soft edging

on each petal...

Why is it so easy to appreciate

differences in flowers..

and

more challenging to do so

with our sisters and brothers??

What  challenges me/us

to see

or not see

the gift and beauty in another?

Am I willing to name it..

and change?

Time Out..

Beautifulfreepictures

Feeling pulled in so many directions

and wanted to be in touch

with the vibrant

and gentle beauty

of our family members

in the natural world.

Thank you dear Family

for your vibrancy and peace.

A dream in process..and YOU?

Awakening to our ONENESS!

Respecting and enjoying our diversity...

Sharing our gifts and talents

especially with those most in need...

Re-connecting with Mother Earth

alone and with friends and family...

Taking time to STOP

for fun and relaxation....

 

For Me..

this is a dream in process...

What about you?

 

Hello Family...

Creator gave us to each other.

 Seeing this Mom

with all of her family,

reminds me that

"Our Family"

is much larger

than we realize.

So many Family Members,

bring us

the joy of song,

soft licks of Love,

gentle purrs of contentment,

loud barks of welcome,

and many

give their lives

that we might eat and be nourished.

We are so blessed..

Thank you Mom and little ones

I am so glad you are

Family! 

Marked with Love...

 

As I look at this precious pup,

my heart melts.

He/she is marked with love

and I am reminded..

to treat myself

just as gently

and tenderly!!

 

Be the gift...

 

The bold beauty of Star. lifts my heart

on a gray day.

Let's be that same gift to some one

today!

I finally heard it....

I heard it today!!

I've known it..

but I've chosen

not to hear it.

Today I heard it..

What you say..

What did I hear..?

I heard the roaring

train in my head

that says... Go..

Go.. Go.. don't stop..

hurry up.. you've got

to do ..this and this and this..!!

Even when I think I'm

relaxing..

The train whistle blows...

until

today!!

I made a choice

to stop and enjoy

what I am doing..

Right where I am.

 

The train is stopped..

and now I know

I have a choice..

It's all up to me.

Thank you dear Mother Earth

for your daily moment to moment

reminders,

to stop

 the train!!
This time I listened
I heard..
and
I stopped!

Play time...!

photo:BeautifulAmazingWorld

Peek-a-boo!!

I see you!