This gallery contains 6 photos.
Sunset adventures. Team TLC went somewhere different tonight! Lillian did NOT want to get out of the car or climb up the gigantic rock with stone steps and no rail. I talked her into it with Thomas holding her other … Continue reading
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. -Albert Einstein
He says to me, “Come quick. It’s almost gone. Come tell the sun goodnight!” I quickly head over, peak my head out the door and tell the sun goodnight. A few minutes later I peak my head out again to tell him dinner is ready. When he comes closer I notice tears streaming down his face and he keeps saying “I’m so happy”. I tell him it’s okay to cry when you are happy. That’s good stuff.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. -William Shakespeare
He tells me he just loves nature and it makes him feel so good and makes him so happy but he also feels ashamed about that. I asked him why he feels ashamed about it. He says he doesn’t think other people feel the same way as he does and he is the only one. First, I tell him it doesn’t matter if anyone else in the Universe feels this way, that does not make it wrong. I tell him that if it makes him feel this good and happy, that’s all that matters. It is the right thing when it brings out these feelings. We don’t define what is right and wrong for us according to other people’s opinions. Next, I let him know he is not alone in feeling this. I said you’ve got someone sitting right here next to you who feels the same way …. ME. Plus, I know bunches of other people who feel this way too. You are not alone. Yet, also remember that it wouldn’t matter if you were ….
He asked why it feels so good? I told him he is feeling his oneness with nature. The knowing that we and nature are connected. I explained how amazing and awesome it is that he is feeling and recognizing this at so young an age. There are so many people who live their whole lives and never know this feeling. I feel many of us knew this feeling as children, but we lost it along the way. Then, there are people like me in their 40’s who are just NOW feeling it and realizing it (or remembering the feeling from childhood). I said my wish for him is that he never forgets this feeling and carries it with him always.
Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher. -William Wordsworth
The “He” in this post is my 7 year old son, Thomas. He has given me permission to share this with all of you.
I help to support my family with my writings. I share my writings for free for the benefit of others. If you benefited from this writing, would you like to toss a tip in the love offering “bucket”? Oceans of gratitude … xoxo
Smiling is infectious; you catch it like the flu.
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around a corner and someone saw my grin.
When he smiled I realized, I had passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile and then I realized its worth.
A single smile, just like mine, could travel around the earth.
So if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected.
Let’s start an epidemic quick and get the world infected. – Author Unknown
Won’t you join me?
A dear friend severely injured her back several months ago which led to emergency surgery. I wanted to give her a little something to enjoy during her recovery that would also be inspiring once her back was healed. This is what I came up with …. a lovely bag of ROCKS! That’s me! I love creating gifts with inspiring gifts from nature.
For about a week I collected just the right mix of rocks as I was on my 45 minute walk. Tapping into my inner artist, I wrote a word on each rock and drew a heart or sun on the back of each one. Then, I created a HappYness Treasure Map™ to accompany the beautiful bag of rocks!
HappYness Treasure Map ™
+ One Bag of Inspirational Rocks
Ingredients: One bag of Inspiring Rocks to guide you in feeling good, inspire you and to make part of your daily adventure. One HappYness Treasure Map.
Dosage: Remove one rock from bag daily.
Side Effects: Good feelings, creativity, acceptance, HappYness and inspiration
Instructions: Each morning slide your hand into your bag, shift the rocks around in your fingers until you find just the right one, and pull it from your bag. The following are some suggestions to go along with the phrase on your chosen rock. Continue choosing a rock every day until your bag is empty. Put them all back in and start again! Have FUN!
______________________________________________________________________
Acceptance – Is there something that is causing you disharmony due to not wanting to accept?
Morning thoughts: I have no control over other people or how events play(ed) out. I accept this and make peace with it. I accept myself just as I am. I am loving, kind and wonderful. Change wording to suit you.
Evening thoughts: I am grateful to have reached acceptance of _______________.
Attention – Be clear about what you are giving your attention. Does it relate to your intentions for your life, for the week, or for the day? Bring your attention back to your intention.
Be Flexible – Use today as a reminder to be flexible …. At least once during the day sing this little song to yourself,
“Row, row, row YOUR boat,
GENTLY down the stream,
MERRILY, MERRILY, MERRILY,
Life is but a DREAM.”
Row your own boat, be HappY and create your dream!
Faith – Remind yourself throughout the day to have faith in yourself.
Forgiveness – Today is the day to forgive yourself and anyone else. Write a letter to yourself or someone else detailing what you are forgiving yourself or that person for … No need to give it to anyone. Just write it and reach the place of forgiveness within yourself.
Gratitude – Make today about being thankful. Take as many opportunities as possible to express silently or out loud your gratitude.
Intention – Review your intentions. What are your intentions for your life, this year, this week or this day. Have you taken a detour? If so, either make peace with the detour or get back on your path.
Intuitive – Be sure to check with your intuition today on your decision making. Trust yourself.
Kindness – Make today about spreading kindness to yourself and those you encounter. Could be with a smile, a hug or even a silent blessing for the person.
Laugh – It’s good medicine and good for the soul. LAUGH a lot today!
Love – Do everything you do today full of love from your innermost self.
Purpose – What is your purpose? What do you feel you are supposed to accomplish during your life? It’s okay not to know. Just ponder it …
Release – Today is the day to release any guilt, judgments, hurt, or any other negative feelings. Be one with the feeling, embrace it, then release it.
Self Love – Do something kind for yourself today. Nurture yourself. What makes your heart sing? A walk outside, reading a good book, enjoying a divine meal, doing absolutely nothing … do IT.
Well Being – Focus on your well being. Know that you have well being within you.
Morning thoughts: I am an instrument of well being.
Evening thoughts: I am grateful for my well being.
©2013 CamillaDowns.com
Thomas and Lillian made my friend a little something also. Homemade cards using some sort of paper that an artist friend gave to us when she moved out of the area.
This article is now part of my inventory in Inspired Living.
I enjoy taking the time to share information with y’all that I think is helpful and give you ideas to live an Inspired Life. So, if you feel this helped you in any way, toss a tip into the tip bowl on the way out of Inspired Living.
If you can’t afford to donate, please feel free to pass this article along to others who might get some help from it. Thank y’all to everyone who has donated and shared in the past. I don’t always get a chance to respond, and the donations, shares and comments are my indicators that what I share is helpful. Thank YOU!
Some people call them bucket list. I choose to give it a different spin. Team TLC is calling ours an Adventure List! That’s right! Last week I gave a map book to Thomas and Lillian and told them to make a list of everywhere in the World they want to visit. Then I told them to make a list of everything they want to have, be or do.
The following is my Adventure List. It’s continually being added to so I will designate a dedicated page on this website for our Adventure Lists.
This is a list of experiences I want to have, be or do. They are in absolutely no particular order. I simply write them down as inspired.
Let me be clear. I make this list with detachment. If I get to experience these items then WooooHooooo. If not, then WoooooHoooooo. I’m still a happy and peaceful person. The way I see it, my happiness comes from within.
Camilla’s Adventure List:
Thomas’ Adventure List:
Lillian’s Adventure List:
Thomas and Lillian are still adding to their lists. They’re still getting the hang of all this!
This article is now part of my inventory in Inspired Living.
I enjoy taking the time to share information with y’all that I think is helpful and give you ideas to live an Inspired Life. So, if you feel this helped you in any way, toss a tip into the tip bowl on the way out of Inspired Living.
If you can’t afford to donate, please feel free to pass this article along to others who might get some help from it. Thank y’all to everyone who has donated and shared in the past. I don’t always get a chance to respond, and the donations, shares and comments are my indicators that what I share is helpful. Thank YOU!
Thomas went on a quick bike ride this morning before school … and brought home gifts for me and Lillian …. ROCKS. This kid totally Rocks!
Perhaps he was inspired by the gift Lillian and I brought him from our date this past Sunday. We brought him a sticker from Squeeze In and a weed eater string we found at the park. He liked the weed eater string best!!
My wish is that y’all will be inspired to show some gratitude/kindness to someone you love today by giving them a homemade or nature made gift! Have FUN!! Visit here to see and read about a get well gift I gave to a friend that is rock inspired!
This article is now part of my inventory in Inspired Living.
I enjoy taking the time to share information with y’all that I think is helpful and give you ideas to live an Inspired Life. So, if you feel this helped you in any way, toss a tip into the tip bowl on the way out of Inspired Living.
If you can’t afford to donate, please feel free to pass this article along to others who might get some help from it. Thank y’all to everyone who has donated and shared in the past. I don’t always get a chance to respond, and the donations, shares and comments are my indicators that what I share is helpful. Thank YOU!
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Do you believe HappYness comes to us from outside circumstances, events, other people or things? Do you believe it’s possible to be HappY no matter what’s happening around you? Do you believe it’s possible to be at peace no matter … Continue reading
Y’all don’t forget that the customers can hear inside the bank when you are outside using the drive through!! No worries … this is a FEEL GOOD post.
I was in the bank a while ago and overheard a customer being grumpy about having to show her driver’s license to cash a check as the teller was new and didn’t know her yet. I smiled at the young lady helping me and said “That customer just needs some love and kindness.” The bank employee helping Ms. Grumpy continued to be kind and apologize for the inconvenience. Ms. Grumpy sent over her DL and the teller cashed her check. When the teller sent the money out, Ms. Grumpy apologized for being grumpy. The two chatted happily about what each of them were cooking for the holidays and off Ms. Grumpy went .. EXCEPT, she had left behind Ms. Grumpy and drove away Ms. HappY.
I looked at the teller helping me and said, “See, she just needed some love.” I left HappY and both tellers were happy and smiling too!
My wish for YOU is that you actively search for opportunities to perform an act of kindness by holding this thought, “Love is …. “. Have FUN!
This article is now part of my inventory in Inspired Living.
I enjoy taking the time to share information with y’all that I think is helpful and give you ideas to live an Inspired Life. So, if you feel this helped you in any way, toss a tip into the tip bowl on the way out of Inspired Living.
If you can’t afford to donate, please feel free to pass this article along to others who might get some help from it. Thank y’all to everyone who has donated and shared in the past. I don’t always get a chance to respond, and the donations, shares and comments are my indicators that what I share is helpful. Thank YOU!
Just back from a refreshing, inspiring and delicious walk in the rain …… Ahhhhhhhhh!! My wish for you is that you get out there and FEEL the rain, SMELL the rain and LISTEN to the rain …. and experience how you FEEL emotionally afterwards. Lovin me some LIFE y’all! ♥
