Taking The World On With A Smile!

And in the blink of an eye, it was over.  

Whether you have the summer off or not, everyone feels its’ end, most likely in a melancholy kind of way. With a slight pang of apprehension, I can’t help but recognize that the season has already begun to show hints of turning. The cycle has begun, again. Yes, in the blink of an eye, the summer is nearly over. That’s how life is though isn’t it? One minute they’re babies, the next they’re in school. Before you know it, they are driving and off on their own. I see it clearly now. Change is going to happen, regardless.

Life is fragile and passes quickly.

About a year and a half ago, I resigned myself to living in the moment the best that I could and as painful and beautiful as that has been at times and with all that’s transpired since then, I don’t think there’s much left that can surprise, shock or even hurt me anymore. Life is fragile and passes quickly.

And now, I am resigned to living it to it’s fullest.

The challenge for me, is embracing it in a mindful, peaceful way.

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

In seeking peace for myself and in effort to make the most of my last week off before going back to work this Monday, my daughter and I drove Upstate to spend some time at our place in the woods. Her teacher joined us for a few days. As we puzzled and hiked and ate ice-cream, Irene was churning away, gaining strength as a category 3 hurricane in the Bahamas. I watched her unstoppable force rapidly move toward the east coast. I debated whether to stay put on the outer reaches of harm’s way for however long it would take her to pass or go home where my son was, much closer to her destructive path.

My heart belongs to two children. I chose to go home. But I leave here, a glimpse of the peace I found, with my girl, in the woods.

Welcome!

She's soooo Hannah!

On Thursday, we headed to the "upper field" for a hike.

A bobcat resting in the high grass interrupted our hike, sending Hannah, her teacher and I scurrying back toward the house! Not peaceful but definitely exciting!

Again, not peaceful but after our near-encounter with the bobcat, this fella was no challenge.

Evening sky....definitely, peaceful.

Before leaving, we baked Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies to eat during the storm ~ Baking always helps me feel peaceful!

Life is fragile and passes quickly. How do you find your peace?

Photo Credit #1: Blink

Photo Credit #2-14: ©Karen Szczuka Teich and http://www.Takingtheworldonwithasmile.com