My daughter-in-law, Michelle, was sharing some humorous videos posted on the "Spirit fm 90.5" web site a few nights ago and one that stayed with me was a short video of a 4-5 year old curly blonde haired girl standing on her bathroom counter, so she could watch herself enthusiastically declare all the things she loved about her life. I assumed she had watched a parent doing daily affirmations in front of the mirror since "Jessica's daily affirmations" was the title of the youtube clip, but it could very well have been her compliance with a parental prescription meant to replace grumbling with gratitude.
Where David and I live now is less than a 5 minute walk from where our old house stood. Years ago, I had been looking for a house close by where we could live while our old home went through extensive (as in the architect and contractor telling us "you need to tear it down") remodeling. I happened upon this one at the end of a cul-de-sac one afternoon when I walked the dog. I asked to see it and within a few days David and I had made an offer to the owners, and within a couple years we had abandoned all serious thought about moving back to our former property. We were simply too content with this house.
There were several other factors in our decision, but the ones I've thought about so often are how much I LOVE is the way it nestles among vine-covered oak trees and palmettos, and the number and placement of windows in the home. Every single room in the house has a view to the outside, and in most places the view is largely comprised of plants and trees.
Watching from our bed as the sunlight pushes back the early morning darkness in our back yard is pure joy.
I do most of my "paper work" at the dining room table, because I only have to lift my eyes for a moment of rest and a reminder that the current project, though keeping me inside, is not keeping me from beauty.
For someone who worked in a windowless office for many years, being able to drink in my oak glade and palmetto "jungle" is a marvelous gift.
When I am cleaning the floors or setting the table or reading to my grandchildren I have only to move my head to let the beauty feed me.
Whenever I clean or share our guest room with another, I give thanks that we are able to share such beauty with those who stay with us. Because beauty is meant for sharing.
These photos were all taken at our home in Largo, Florida.
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