Inspiration #21 - A Family Affair

It's something we all have, in some way, at some point in our lives, regardless of blood. I believe that the friends we keep are the family we choose for ourselves. The support our family gives us is immeasurable. Whatever the type of support they give, the strongest one of course is love. No matter what you do your family loves you. Ironically, I don't think as I was growing up I fully understood the power of the family unit. I've known my entire life that family was important, but I don't think I knew just how important. Now that I am older and have a family of my own, I realize that, while we all have moments of wanting to be alone, I'd much rather be with my family. When I am frustrated and fed-up, I turn to my family to help see me through. Be that my immediate family or the extended family that I have surrounded myself with, it's still my family I want to be there for me. It's amazing how large a family can grow and how the love for them never seems stretched thin.

When I want to give up, it is my family there to help motivate me. When I want to learn something new, try something different, or want to just crawl under a rock, my family is there to be supportive. When my son is sleeping peacefully beside me, nothing else matters. When he is playing with his daddy and laughing, it makes everything else melt away. Nothing is as important as family and the love that the family fills you with. I am so lucky to have a wonderful family.

“The Family is the Country of the heart. There is an angel in the Family who, by the mysterious influence of grace, of sweetness, and of love, renders the fulfilment of duties less wearisome, sorrows less bitter. The only pure joys unmixed with sadness.”

~ Giuseppe Mazzini

Trying to have a warmer feeling, I think more about how amazing it is to have such a beautiful family. Enjoy your families as much as possible. Make what you can of the time you have with your family it truly is a gift.

Inspiration #20 - Light of my life

Sunlight through the trees.

Light is such an important part of life. We are always trying to "keep things light" or trying to lose weight to be lighter or bringing more light into our spaces. We need light to read, to grow plants, to function in everyday life. Light is one of those wondrous things that provides so much. When we are down, we feel like we are in a dark place. When we want to wake up, one of the things that help us do that is light. There are many different types of manmade light, but one of the greatest gifts we have is natural light. It gives us such beautiful images to behold. Here, I photographed the light coming through the trees and leaves but, another beautiful example would be how light filters through things and shines upon different objects.

Light gives fully of itself. It graces all surfaces, bending, contouring, and hugging everything in it's path. There are precious few things that this can be said about. Light has an incredible way of making things beautiful. So the next time you are out there, stop and take the time to see the light. It's worth it!