It is said that we only regret the paths left unexplored. What path is calling you in 2020?
There are no gatekeepers – pollinators can fly to any bloom they choose. You can choose to dance with your creativity – and unlike a flower, you don’t have to wait for the world to pick you.
You can pick yourself.
Passion for the things we love can take us many places. My love of flowers led me to photography which has taken me on journey of wonder and discovery and recently led me to the stage at TEDx Emerald Glen Park.
Butterflies in the Poppies:
My passions for storytelling, community and all things floral collided in a blissful moment that urged me to encourage others to follow the paths where they seek to make a difference.
If you’re waiting for a sign to take a leap out of your comfort zone then please take a moment to view my TEDx Talk – Community, Connection and the Art of Storytelling.
It’s not for everyone but it might just be for you.
PS: Flowers at the TEDx Event:
Amazing that it included a pincushion bloom from the Western Cape in South Africa! Stocks symbolize a happy life and contented existence. Orange roses represent enthusiasm, passion and gratitude. The Feverfew daisy-like flowers are a medicinal plant for treating headaches so this is a perfect TEDx bouquet!
Happy Earth Day!
Happy first day of Spring 2019 in the northern Hemisphere! Here’s a thought for today:
“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” Harriet Ann Jacobs
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Dr. Seuss
My thought for today – we are fueled by the things we care about and we benefit from things that others care about.
Nature nurtures us all and we will all be better if we care about and for her a whole awful lot.
Photo 1: Better is Beautiful
Photo 2: Daisy Profusion
“Tiny Miracles” has won 1st Place and Logo of the Month of June 2017 for the Beautiful Flowers group.
Absolutely delighted that the image of a yellow spider Chrysanthemum in bloom has been selected as a winner in the Beautiful Flowers Group on Fine Art America. The comment by group administrator Maria Urso “Exquisite work, detail, color and clarity. Absolutely stunning.” is the kind of feedback that every artist thrives on.
As Seth Godin says we need to keep inventing our future “not all of it, just a little part. But enough to make a difference.” This post is dedicated to all those who ship their art and make a difference – whether they receive recognition or not.
“Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles. Notice them.” Mike Greenberg
There are few things that excite me as much as discovering a beautiful bloom. It has no expectations of the world but revels in the elements whether it be sunshine, wind or rain. When it is at its peak the glorious light of living shines forth spreading beauty where it finds itself.
Quote 1: You have to find what sparks a light in you so that your own way can illuminate the world – Oprah
Quote 2: Each new day is an opportunity to try again! Embrace it!
Quote 3: To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.
Quote 4: There are always flowers for those who want to see them.
Quote 5: Bloom- with all the enthusiasm you can muster!
It seems to be a philosophical and gratitude filled period for me so I’m sharing some pics and quotes. Enjoy!
Quote 1: Truly perfect is becoming friendly with your imperfections on the way to doing something remarkable ~ SethGodin
Quote 2: Notice life’s most precious moments as they happen
Quote 3: Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit. We cannot flower without it. -Jess Lair
Quote 4: Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. ~Melody Beattie
Quote 5: We are not affected by events but by the view we take of them. Event + Response = Outcome ~Jack Canfield
It’s a stunningly beautiful morning in Northern California today. As my children excitedly anticipate the start of the summer break the mood is jovial and we pay attention to little details on the school run. We spotted a swallowtail butterfly fluttering between the emerging white agapanthus and its wings were catching the morning sunlight. There is so much we can be thankful for and these small moments remind me about the joy to be found in living.
Photo 1: Be thoughtful. Be Kind. Be Considerate.
Photo 2: There are small moments of beauty in every day of you choose to find them.
Photo 3: Each new day is an opportunity to try again!
Photo 4: Surround yourself with positive people who nurture your dreams!
Reading my children’s yearbooks and seeing all the good wishes made me want to share them too – so HAGS to everyone in the Northern Hemisphere and HUGS to everyone in the South!
Usage of the word ‘awesome’ has become increasingly common. So much so that it takes away some of the punch it can deliver. I still love using it though!
Photo 1: Singular beauty
Everything is awesome
After watching the Lego movie featuring the rather catchy song Everything is Awesome the lyrics stayed in my head for several days. My 5 year old daughter said it was the first ‘boy type’ movie she actually enjoyed. Now that statement would take another blog post to unpack but nevertheless the theme song was catchy to my kids too.
After watching the tv series Chuck and discovering Devon, aka Captain Awesome I also nicknamed my scientist husband Dr Awesome which he finds rather amusing. We would certainly like everything to be awesome all the time and being part of a team usually helps to get you there. Over use of the word can make the awesome seem mundane but there are tiny moments of ‘awesome’ happening throughout our days if we take the time to pay attention.
When I do my floral photography I can spend hours marvelling at the awesome display flowers create while simultaneously being beautiful and providing a vital link in the cycle of life.
When things get awful
Sometimes though life can be more awful than awesome. Sometimes shockingly awful things happen and in those moments it’s difficult to find the ‘awesome’.
When my Mum died last year it was awful for our family. The loss also reminded us of our own mortality.
To keep moving forward though we need to rediscover the ‘awesome’ as that gives us hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Photo 2: Intricate detail on a pink Chrysanthemum
Finding the awesome
Then I watched a TED talk given by 70 year old Isabel Allende – “How to live passionately at any age” – she had decided to live her life with passion and make the most of the time she had. Inspirational!
The ‘awesome’ within us needs to be unleashed so the awful doesn’t squash us into pits of despair. When we release our own awesomeness and reflect and encourage the awesomeness of others then life feels more purposeful and meaningful.
There is only one of you. You are unique. What will you do with your ‘awesome’?
Following the blogging frenzy during the week of the #YourTurnChallenge culminating in my debut tv appearance it has been a bit of a mission to get my head out of the clouds.
Photo 1: Welcome February
I felt so energetic and driven it was like starting my blogging journey all over again even though I’ve been doing it for three years. Now that the euphoria has settled it’s back to business as usual but the feeling of striving to fulfill my dreams has been reignited.
Photo 2: Sunflower signals
I’ve always wanted to do so much, to make an impact while making a difference and uplifting and inspiring those around me in the process. This year has gotten off to a remarkable start and I am looking forward to reaching for my dreams with renewed vigour and adding some pizzazz to my floral photography.
Thanks for joining me on my journey! Have a fabulously floral February everyone!