soul surfer

I have been spending a lot of time at the beach lately while discovering these quotes...thanks guys...

Is it so small a thing to have enjoyed the Sun? - MATTHEW ARNOLD

"Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach." - Michelle Held

“Among the many thousands of things that I have never been able to understand, one in particular stands out. That is the question of who was the first person who stood by a pile of sand and said, "You know, I bet if we took some of this and mixed it with a little potash and heated it, we could make a material that would be solid and yet transparent. We could call it glass." Call me obtuse, but you could stand me on a beach till the end of time and never would it occur to me to try to make it into windows.” - Bill Bryson

“Every time we walk along a beach some ancient urge disturbs us so that we find ourselves shedding shoes and garments or scavenging among seaweed and whitened timbers like the homesick refugees of a long war.” – Loren Eiely

"I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the wind in my face, the gentle roar of the waves all combine to create a sense of peace and calm."

the pic below was created combining a group of pics of photoshop

An Author Asks: 'Can Poetry Save The Earth?'

(I thought this was worth posting :o)

In his new book, Can Poetry Save the Earth?, Stanford professor John Felstiner presents poetry from dozens of English and American writers who have spoken passionately to — and for — the natural world.

We issued Felstiner a challenge: Pick just one poem that could save the world, if everyone were to read it. He chose "The Well Rising" — and couldn't help but pick some runners-up; two are featured below.

Continue reading...

A Tree's New Year Resolution

For me, today is a great time (when isn't there?) to go out and remember what's important-the natural beauty all around. How blessed we are. By Shlomo Yaffe

Tu B'Shevat -- the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat -- is known as the "New Year for Trees." Naturally this would be a time for trees to engage in soul-searching -- the same way people do on Rosh Hashanah. Here is a tree's New Year Checklist: ● Did I shelter the seedlings that live in my shade -- so they will grow up to be a next generation like myself? ● Did I grow towards the sun as a tree should, reaching up higher and higher towards that which I can never grasp, but which nurtures me all the same the more I strive towards it? ● Did I make sure my roots remain firmly planted in the soil that nurtures them, and did I drop my leaves there in the fall to give back life to that which sustains me? ● Did I ensure that my fruits were sweet and nourished all that came to enjoy them? Did everyone walk away from me with a smile? ● Did I bend gently in the wind, accepting what G-d sends but never breaking or giving up hope? ● Did I grow in strength and wisdom with each new ring this year? Come to think of it, not a bad checklist for us humans either!

painting stones

I'm doing this oil painting of a stone house. I just realized I can't remember how to paint stones. It's just not working for me, so I have been browsing around and found this awesome painting by this awesome artist.

"one planet"

digital

2008

I created this because I got tired of hearing about the evils of religion. It is not a faith in a higher power that creates war and oppression, rather it is intolerance of our differences.

As I was praying one night a few weeks ago, I saw all the religious symbols of the world overlap - as one.

check out this sand painting video from sandfantasy.com

"beach"

digital
2008

I created this with Photoshop accidentally. I really wanted to imitate another digital picture to understand it better. I completely botched up the "copying part." -A nice blessing in disguise.

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Thanksgiving and gratitude are two qualities we all need more of. I bummed a few quotes from http://colleenscorner.com/Gratitude.html. I think Colleen is awesome for collecting these.

Gratitude

"Thank God--every morning when you get up--that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you a hundred virtues which the idle never know."~ Charles Kingsley ~

"No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks."~ Unknown ~

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."~ Marcel Proust ~

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable."~ Joseph Addison ~

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."~ Melody Beattie ~

"Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting."~ Author Unknown ~

"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul."~ Rabbi Harold Kushner ~

"There is a calmness to a life lived in Gratitude, a quiet joy."~ Ralph H. Blum ~

"You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you."~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~Simple Abundance

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy ~

"Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts."~ David O.

Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something. For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

I decided to give Zazzle.com a try since I have some extra time. Here's my first creation.

beach by artofmyth
Create personalised mugs At Zazzle
See other Digital Art Mugs

Wild Turkeys for Thanksgiving

2008 by Rachel Kohn

Jim Beam in the corner

wild turkeys blaze
through blind alley
seeking scorching fire

drops of memory
soak matted hair

Thanksgiving is always a day away