Untie the Ribbons

One of my favorite quotations is “Each day comes bearing its own gifts.  Untie the ribbons.”  It is credited to Ruth Ann Schabacker, and I love the simple message it conveys. Our daily gifts come in all kinds of packages.                     [Photo borrowed from the Internet] If you are an early riser, your "gift" may be seeing an especially bright morning star out your kitchen window — or an extraordinary sunrise — all yours for the taking. All you have to do is "untie the ribbons." Or it could be a smile or a small kindness from a stranger during the course of a busy day ... or a courteous driver who lets you into a long line of traffic ... or a totally unexpected compliment on your appearance or a job well done. Isn't it amazing how these "gifts" can lift our spirits and give us a whole new perspective on our day — all we have to do is "untie the ribbons." And sometimes I think an even greater gift is being that stranger, or courteous driver, or compliment-giver. I know it makes my day brighter when I can do something kind for someone, especially when only the two of us know about it. My photography has brought me countless gifts, and most of them were hidden until I took the time to "untie" them by getting a closer look at something through my lens. Here are just a few of the gifts I discovered a couple of days ago on a photo shoot here in Vicksburg ...  Ornamental Cabbage Plant in our Courtyard A little lagniappe in the form of a dewdrop sparkling like a diamond nestled amongst the petals of the cabbage plant ...  Dogwood Tree at Old Court House Museum in Vicksburg Glorious Nandina Berries at Sisters of Mercy     My favorite flower -- Narcissus, also known as Paperwhites  I love the contrast between the "chippy" black iron fence railing and the delicate little petals of the flower ...   Yuletide Camellia Sasanqua Blossom Now, go untie the ribbons of your day.

This Little Light of Mine

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in Heaven.  Matthew 5:16. I came across that scripture this morning, and it made me stop and think about my light.  Does it shine bright enough for others to see it, or is it hidden so deeply within me that no one knows it's there ... like the "flame" hidden deep within the petals of a flower.  Do people have to use a "zoom lens" to see my light, like I had to use to capture the center of the Iris in the picture below? I would like to think they don't have to "zoom in" to see my light.  I would like to think that everyone I come into contact with can easily see the light of Christ in my life by my actions, but I'm afraid that there are times when my actions may cause my light to dim, or waver.   I've always loved the children's hymn, "This Little Light of Mine," and find its words inspiring and uplifting. I'm going to share them here as a reminder to myself to try to live my life every day in a way that will keep my light shining brightly. It's a lot easier and much more pleasant to smile at a stranger in the grocery store than to frown and glare at them for leaving their cart blocking the aisle. And it never fails to make me feel better to let someone in a line of traffic, than to try to block them from cutting in. I'm ashamed to say that I have been guilty of both of those things at one time or another ... and I'm sure my light went completely out at those times, which makes me sad to think about. But today is a new day ... and a new beginning ... and, with God's help, I'm going to try to be a better person and not "hide my light under a bushel."  I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine! This Little Light Of Mine This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Won't let Satan blow it out. I'm gonna let it shine. Won't let Satan blow it out. I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Let it shine til Jesus comes. I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine til Jesus comes. I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.  Hide it under a bushel - NO!  I'm gonna let it shine.  Hide it under a bushel - NO!  I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.  Let it shine over the whole wide world,  I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine over the whole wide world. I'm gonna let it shine. I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Reflections

There are at least two people in this world for whom you would die. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep. You mean the world to someone. Someone you don't even know exists ... loves you. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take another look. "Whenever God closes one door, He always opens another ... even though sometimes it's hell in the hallway." Happiness keeps you Sweet, Trials keep you Strong, Sorrows keep you Human, Failures keep you Humble, Success keeps you Glowing, But only God keeps you Going. [Author unknown]

Untie the Ribbons

I recently came across the above quotation in a book a friend gave my husband for Christmas. The quotation is credited to Ruth Ann Schabacker, and I love the message it conveys.

Our daily gifts come in all kinds of packages. If you are an early riser, your "gift" may be seeing an especially bright morning star out your kitchen window — or an extraordinary sunrise — all yours for the taking. All you have to do is "untie the ribbons."

Or it could be a smile or a small kindness from a stranger during the course of a busy day ... or a courteous driver who lets you into a long line of traffic ... or a totally unexpected compliment on your appearance or a job well done. Isn't it amazing how these "gifts" can lift our spirits and give us a whole new perspective on our day — all we have to do is "untie the ribbons."

And sometimes I think an even greater gift is being that stranger, or courteous driver, or compliment-giver. I know it makes my day brighter when I can do something kind for someone, especially when only the two of us know about it.

And speaking of gifts ... since I've been blogging, not a day goes by that I don't receive a "gift" in some form or another. It may be a gracious comment or personal note from a reader, or an especially touching or inspiring story shared by a blogger friend. And the genuine friendships, love, and compassion expressed by these blogging friends — people I have never met in person, and probably never will — are gifts I receive and untie each and every day.

My photography has brought me countless gifts, and most of them were hidden until I took the time to "untie" them by getting a closer look at something through my lens. Here are just a few of those gifts ...

The "flame" in the center of an Iris ...

The inside of a Cleyera seed pod ...

A chameleon resting on my butterfly feeder ...

Balloon Vine Seed Pods ...

A ladybug on Queen Anne's Lace ...

Those are just a few of the gifts I've received through my photography. I look forward to a new year filled with untying gifts like those ... and wish you the same.

The Seasons of Life

I had planned to do another post about a Christmas decorating project today, but I received this beautiful and inspiring presentation in an e-mail from a friend early this morning and thought it was too wonderful not to share, especially at this time of year. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (be sure your sound is turned on).

The Seasons of Life