Happy New Year

Another new year is upon us!  I wish everyone the very best in 2017.

One time, I was visiting at the home of relatives on New Year's Eve, and they had family members visiting from further away.  We were sitting in the living room talking and then we started sharing with each other what blessings we'd had in the past year....  We each told what we were grateful for. And it turned out to be a very beautiful and peaceful way to meet the new year--even though we didn't stay up late...!

Myself, I don't normally make New Year's Resolutions because I'm continually trying to improve myself--on a regular basis and not just on New Year's Day....  But I think New Year's is a good time to stop and look at yourself, if you're not already doing it.

Nature Art--28

The upper photo was taken in southern Ontario. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the lower photo was taken in northern Ontario but by the appearance of it, it could've been taken in the south, also....

Nature Art--27

These photos were taken during a minor snowstorm in the Sturgeon Falls area, in northern Ontario.

Christmas Flower Show

Have heard on the radio this morning that the Allan Gardens Conservatory in Toronto has a Christmas flower display....  Apparently, they're open all year....  Their link is very long to type in but if people Google "Allan Gardens Conservatory" they'll find it easily....

Happy Holidays, or not?

Some people feel down during the holidays.  I suppose there are different reasons why.... In the past, before I got therapy for some mental health issues, I had a caring Christian family doctor who used to encourage me. She always said, "Do something for someone who's worse off than you are!" I did that and it made a difference to my life! These days, it's not hard to find charities or people who need help....

[The above photos were taken at the home of a family member several years ago.]

Nature Art--26

These photos were taken from the frozen Lake Nipissing in North Bay, Ontario at dawn.  In the lower photo, you can see tracks from the snowmobiles. There were a lot of snowmobile trails in the area, and there were also fishing huts on the lake, although they're not visible here.

Violence Against Women

Did I hear correctly, in passing, on the radio news that Christmas is the time of greatest violence against women in domestic situations? When I was with my husband, I had to leave our home once or twice because of violence or a verbal threat of violence.... I don't believe it serves a purpose for a woman to allow herself to be beaten.... Sometimes counselling is able to help the situation but often it's not.... Will write more about this subject later.

Nature Art--25

There was a light coating of hoar frost on these trees in the Sturgeon Falls area.

Spirituality

There are different definitions of spirituality that people use but to me it means belief in and respect for a Higher Power. In this blog, I haven't wanted to be overly religious; and even religious people can need practical encouragement with their lives, at times. But I believe spirituality can be a help in coping with our lives.... It gives an added dimension.

Our Christmas season is based on both religious and pagan traditions. It's not necessary to celebrate the religious side in order to enjoy Christmas.... In the western world, there are people belonging to many religions which are quite different from Christianity.... Myself, I like to acknowledge the Christian views and traditions at Christmastime but I also respect other religions, and people with no religion at all....

Meditation

The Greek philosopher Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."  I think it's healthy and desirable to take some time occasionally and look at our lives....  Are we really doing what we want to do; and living up to our values and priorities, etc...?

The Dalai Lama said he practises something he calls "analytical meditation" [in his book, "The Dalai Lama's Big Book of Happiness"].   www.dalailama.com  And there's something called "Christian meditation."  A newer type of meditation is called "mindfulness meditation."  If we sit quietly with our thoughts sometimes, I think it's helpful in this busy world....  And science has been able to show that meditation has a beneficial effect on the body....  [Am not exactly sure which type of meditation they were studying but I think it has to be good to take time out from our busyness and stress....]

[As for the Dalai Lama, I don't agree 100% with all his beliefs but I've seen that he has some very practical and sensible advice to offer to the western world....]

Wildlife Photography Exhibit

If people would like to see some of the world's best wildlife and landscape photography, would like to tell them about the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario....  There's currently a display of the "Wildlife Photographer of the Year," which came from the Natural History Museum in London, England....  [www.rom.on.ca] There are many photographs by photographers from around the world, and I was happy to hear about it on the radio this morning....  Apparently the display at the ROM will be available for the next several months.  And as far as I understand, the exhibit is travelling to other locations around the world. [The link for the Natural History Museum is: www.nhm.ac.uk.]

Nature Art--24

This photo was also taken from the Duchesnay Creek and Falls area.... [North Bay, Ontario.] The falls look different in different spots because the creek flows down over a gradual, rock-face.... It's quite interesting to see, in my opinion...! [They used to have a hiking trail in the area, if they've maintained it...? I haven't been there for some time....]

To Do Journaling, or not to...???

It's one thing to record your activities or thoughts and feelings in a diary or journal.... Myself, I've tried it a few times in my life.... But whenever I went back a little while later to re-read what I'd written, I somehow felt stupid...! [The journals might've helped to clarify my thoughts somewhat, at the time....]

However, in a book called "JumpStart Your Thinking," by a motivational speaker named John Maxwell, he recommended to keep a journal and write down new things that you learn...!  I've found I can also write some personal notes about how I'm applying what I've learned, etc. And this approach has transformed my journal-writing! I now enjoy it and get a lot of benefit from it--even when, or especially when, I go back and review my writing...!

Earlier, Tony Robbins had recommended to keep a "success journal."  Don't recall exactly what he said about it but I used one to record what I'd learned from the motivational speakers and experts in books and audio books.

There are blank, hard-cover notebooks that can be purchased from dollar stores and business stores.... And even the lined, school notebooks can be helpful....

A link for John Maxwell is listed in the sidebar of this blog. And I'll post Mr. Robbins' website again: www.TonyRobbins.com.

Nature Art--23

This photo and the two below were taken from the town of Fenelon Falls, Ontario. www.fenelonfalls.info There's a lift lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway, which is commonly known as the Trent Canal, I believe...?  [It used to be....]

Nature Art--22

Self-Help Books

Since my son has grown up and moved away from home, I have more time to read regular books again.... Instead of just listening to the audio books....

After the holiday season last year, I happened to be looking in my favourite department store for a book to buy.... The non-fiction books I was looking at were mostly on sale; and I ended up buying four books, plus an adult colouring book.... Recently, I found a lot of good books in the self-help section of a major bookstore in town.... I bought only one from there, to start with, but I know where to go if I need more....

The self-help books teach about relationships, mental and emotional health, physical health, business, etc. I've discovered that these books can be worth hundreds of dollars, and perhaps even thousands of dollars, in professional advice.... They can be worth far more than the price paid for the book...! One of the business books helped me with my legal matters within the past year, and I'll write about that book and author separately....

Nature Art--21

This photo is from the grounds at the Parkwood National Historic Site in Oshawa, Ontario. www.parkwoodestate.com   The photo was taken by myself and is published by permission.

There are some leaves that turn pink or reddish-pink in the fall.... This photo could almost pass for a spring photo but it really was taken in the fall....