Wednesday, March 5, 2014

A Few Thoughts

So, today starts the season of Lent.  I know that in some Christian faiths that might mean giving up something like I gave up Pepsi when I was younger.  Some give up chocolate or today I heard someone say they gave up round cookies....what the heck, all you have to do is drop the box and now the cookies are crumbs, and no longer round.  Personally I don't think giving up Pepsi's or round cookies is exactly what Lent is all about.  Have a better attitude, give or help someone in need, forgive an old grunge that has been hanging around forever, pray more and whine less, be a positive not a negative influence on someone's life, smile more and frown less....these are a few of my ideas of what Lent is about.  Has a little more impact than giving up Pepsi's.

I know my attitude of late has been pretty sour....I'll blame it on the weather and the bad cold, but instead of whining about it, I should have been doing something more constructive, more significant. But today, with the beginning of Lent, I am going to try my darndest to bring back that more grateful attitude, try to shed those negative thoughts and realize the bounties that I have.  That white stuff will eventually disappear, it may be June, but it will go away and while it is melting I want to be joyful and not mournful.

It snowed again today (so what's new) but instead of sulking about it, I decided that I would go to the Arboretum, which always brings me joy, and see the fresh fallen snow,  It was a perfect time to go, very few cars so I could stop anywhere and step out of the car and snap a pic or two without the worry of anyone behind me, There was such a sense of peacefulness.  The only movement was the squirrels searching for those nuts they had buried last Fall and a few birds that fluttered up above.







 
It's hard to believe that maybe (keeping fingers crossed) that this time next month a wildflower or two might be peeking thru after being asleep for such a long winter.

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."  ~John Wayne

Until next time.....




24 comments:

  1. Gosh .... what memories you stirred up .... having gone to Catholic school through Grade 12 it was expected that something of value was given up for Lent. Oh the pressures!!! LOL
    This winter certainly has been dreary and so dang long .... it's a wonder we aren't all cwanky (as I am).
    Keep your head up! Keep smilin'
    diane @ thoughts and shots

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  2. wintry but still beautiful nature. :)

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  3. Well, your trip to the Arboretum was well worth the effort! And, as you know, there is nothing like a bit of camera therapy to restore our flagging spirits. As for Lent, a favorite story in our family happened when our daughter was in high school. The youth group leader, trying to encourage more spirituality, challenged the youth to give up something for Lent. Our daughter gave up peas.

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  4. Ahhh sweetie - I hear you loud & clear! These winter doldrums have invaded so many of us this winter, such as me. I've tried pretty dang hard to have a happy attitude, but as of late - that has been pretty hard to manage.
    I grew up going to the Christian school and sharing a bus with the kids from the Catholic school and never understood the whole giving up something for lent and eating fish on Friday. I think a change of attitude and devotion to our God during this Lent season is what is more in order, although I fail miserably every year.
    So with that said - I will continue to do my best do just that, change my attitude.
    Happy days to you my friend!

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  5. Wildflowers would be wonderful - but I love the way you took what was there today and found the beauty!

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  6. I like your positive attitude, Deanna! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on lent and following through with going to the Arboretum. What a great place to appreciate the beauty God shares.

    Hang in there, each day is one step closer to spring.

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  7. i think the way you've described lent is perfect. and that's what i am planning to do this year. as for the blah mood...yes, you have my permission to blame the weather. :) so glad though that you found a way to add a little joy to your life. the camera is so good at that. xoxo

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  8. In all of my Catholic school years, I never heard lent put that way. That's the best way it should always have been taught. I always said I would give up french fries. I think I cheated a few times but hey, that's what teenagers did. I love looking at your beautiful snow pictures. It's the closest I'll get to snow any time soon. I'm sure you're tired of it.

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  9. Inspiring . . . my thoughts of what Lent is about too. Instead of giving up, go forth and give . . . Simple things, open a door for someone, smile, walk outdoors and listen . . .
    May you have a beautiful Lenten journey . . .

    Love the walk outdoors with you . . .

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  10. Your photos present winter and its beauty in spite of our desire for spring to arrive.

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  11. hi Denna. I liked what you wrote about Lent. certainly yesterday you put it into action and the result are these wonderful photographs for us to see. I am glad to got out and had some peace flow into your life.

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  12. I think you have the right idea about Lent. It would be much more effective to give to others than giving up something.
    We had about 8 inches of snow last night. As I tired as I am of winter it was one of the prettiest that we've had all winter. It was so light and fluffy with no wind or bitter cold. You found the beauty in the bleak winter.

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  13. so glad you ventured out to the arboretum again; gosh if that were close to me too, I'd be out there often. Lovely photo cache' again

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  14. I'm stealing a share of your positive attitude today. I need it badly. Great shots!

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  15. What fantastic thoughts, Deanna. I hope the season of Lent is a meaningful one for you.

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  16. I have often thought to myself 'well, that's silly' with some of the things people "give up" for Lent. Always struck me that they were missing the point - but what do I know. As for attitudes - on one hand it is nearly impossible to keep a Pollyanna attitude - especially through a long and termouchious winter, but you are right that it changes nothing to be down about it all. As quickly as time goes by, this too shall pass and it is all about how we deal with the NOW. Chin up my lady - if you find at least one thing to smile about each day - that's a good day. :)

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  17. Thanks for putting things in perspective for me. I will have a better attitude about winter from now on.

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  18. Some sound advice with some nice pictures.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  19. That's so funny--I went to our arboretum and took some really similar pictures on Tuesday. We could have been together! I'm glad you are pulling out of your (very) little tailspin. Once many years ago, during a season much like this weather, and sorta dreary on the inside too, I chose to give myself a pity party. I hated it. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that "godliness with contentment is great gain", and I discovered once and for all that even an appearance of godliness, with discontentment, is a great loss. May this season of lent restore your joy.

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  20. You make the long winter look beautiful, with your lovely photos. Being down here, where snow is rare, it's nice for us to see. But, I know how tired you all are of it up North.
    I love your take on Lent. We didn't observe it, when I was growing up. That seemed to be a 'Catholic thing', and we were Medthodists. But, I did understand it was supposed to be a Sacrifice....to honor the sacrifice Christ made for all of us. You're right...giving up Pepsi doesn't quite cut it.
    And, I've never seen that quote, from John Wayne. It's a really good one.
    Stay warm and safe. Spring is coming....I promise.

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  21. It's hard to have a cheery out look when all you see is gray...but getting out and shooting the beauty that it provides is a good first step!

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  22. Your photos show a stark beauty. I didn't realize you could drive through the Arboretum. I love the photo of the road through the trees in the dim light - a good metaphor for the winter you're having. Today, sun and into the 40's, but snow tonight and tomorrow. My Grands will be here for the weekend to ski. To try and change a troublesome attitude for Lent seems like such a perfect sacrifice. Good Luck, Deanna - may the weather somehow change for the better for you, too!

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  23. Lovely photos that express the hush and peacefulness of a winter day.

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  24. I agree with you completely about Lent, Deanna.
    A grateful attitude is so much more important.

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