"Thinking Out Loud" - Song-ography

. . .we found love right where we are

Over the weekend we decided to take a drive to see the college girl. After all what's a Valentine's Day celebration without the whole family?  

"Mount Bonnell" at 785 feet {miniature effect}

And at 785 feet it's one of the highest points in Austin. Now I know why I almost had a heart attack by the time I walked up all the stairs! And, I think it's safe to say that we probably picked the busiest day ever to climb to the top of this limestone rock.

You see, there is a legend in them hills . . . legend has it that a couple will fall in love on their first visit to Mount Bonnell, become engaged on their second visit, and marry on the third. And we did see a couple getting their engagement pictures done, with a sign that said . . . he stole her heart, so she stole his last name.

{KK 2810}

"Mount Bonnell, in miniature"

 And I do wonder how many people fell in love that night, and how many were engaged.

Just thinkin' out loud here . . . wondering if you've already fallen in love, been engaged and married (with kids) by the time you make your first trip to the top, do you get bonus years?

At the very least a gold star for climbing the stairs before you find out that there was

a much easier way to get up there besides straight up?

Yep, as a family, we not only found love, but lots of laughs, right where we were!

{Insert puffy heart here}

Love, Kim

P.S. I'm over at Focusing on Life today with some thoughts on what happens when my heart and

the mindfulness of a moment converge, and the crossroad when it does not.

sharing with Texture Tuesday, Song-ography, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Roses of Inspiration

Photo-heart connection, September

Sometimes love comes from the most unexpected places

Sometimes love shows up right in front of us but we do not see it

Sometimes we just need to take it by the hand

and

Then sometimes we need to give it back through the plate of offering

Because I do believe the universe seeks to spread this passion

And if we tried a little harder and paid more attention

The world just might blossom into a garden of love

Guess what, today I'm over at Focusing on life where I'm sharing a little story about

what I learned from a fisherman. I would love, love, love if you came over (red rover)

to visit me there!

Love Kim, xo

Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Tuesday Muse, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Photo-heart Connection

Tuesdays Around the World

Love is in the air . . .

Love is . . . 

universal

knows no bounds

and has the infinite power to change lives

not just today but all year

it does not divide . . . but multiplies

it lives within all of us

and isn't something you can keep just for yourself

it's strong, yet so fragile

and should be nothing but unconditional

an expression of yourself

and being open to the expression of others

self-sacrificing

and seeking the welfare of another

"Love, as an open book"

it's about passion and desire

two hearts joined as one

we show it with compassion and affection

and should never be anything but . . . colorblind

supporting yet not overbearing

a basic human need

and a deep spiritual connection in the depth of your soul

understanding and forgiving

although sometimes it's complicated

it has a unique ability to stretch the heart

patient and kind

definitely not boastful

and should never rejoice in right and wrong

acceptance is a huge requirement

and it should include random acts of kindness

sometimes it just feels like an unexplainable mystery

a feeling that is hard to define

"He believe is me"

while it causes some hearts to be courageous

there will be those that will be broken

it's sharing, believing and dreaming

and it endures all, hopes all, and bears all things

it is spoken in different languages all over the world

and in unselfishly expressed actions

it hurts when someone doesn't feel it back

something that can make you laugh and cry at the same time

it matters not how old you are

for there is no age limit

 you feel this when you genuinely care for someone

a parent, a child, a friend

but it shouldn't be kept from strangers either

"Love in a tree"

it can be passionate and romantic

maybe even a little scary

definitely fun and spontaneous

and it will have its highs and lows

we don't just feel this for people

but for nature and life

there are songs written about it

we express it in our art

and millions of words have been spoken about it

the bible commands us to do this to our neighbors as we would do unto ourselves

because it is something no one should ever be without

And what we were all created for.

"Love is in the air" -{Photo Art Friday}

 Love can be found here

rooted on a hill in a field

both wings and branches outstretched

one providing shelter

the other seeking rest

where a home will be built

and where life will be found in a nest

yes love can be found here

what will be will be

each created for the other

companions found in a bird and a tree.

- Kim

I wish you all a beautiful day!

I {Heart} you,

Kim xo

P.S. - I'm running out to enjoy some time with my Valentine and will visit you all later!

sharing with Little Things Thursday,  Thursday Favorite Things, Cool-Clicks Thursday,

Photo Art Friday, Friendship Friday, Friday Photo Journal, Finding Serendipity {1440}

The lines we draw . . .

The prompt this week over at Bonnie's Photo Art Friday is lines . . . obvious lines.

And I started thinking about lines . . . the obvious lines we draw in the sand so to speak,

and the ones we draw with artistic expression, and with love.

 The first one has to do with boundaries, which ironically don't necessarily just keep others out. 

Sometimes those lines we draw, restrict ourselves, like blinders. You know, like the ones they put on mules, and horses to keep out the rest of the world. But that can make for a very lonely place to be.

Or those lines were put there for exclusivity to purposely leave others out.



There are lines we will cross out of necessity and sometimes we cross them from kindness

to cruelty. Of course there are always those lines that we try to balance like a beam in the night out of indecisiveness due to fear, even vulnerability.

There are even those we cross knowing full well it may be wrong, but would rather go with the majority than
to stand up for what is right. We may even make the bad choice of crossing anyway knowing there may be danger on the other side, lured by self gratification.

And then, this week on a foggy morning walk, I came across literally hundreds of spider webs all filled with dew (and no I didn't need my spray bottle, ha). All of these lines, silk lines, carefully and masterfully spun.
Did you know that a spider has different silk that he puts in his web? One is sticky to catch his prey and the other is not and is carefully woven in so that he can walk in his own web without getting tangled in it himself.

Nature is such a miraculous thing, and I know I say this a lot, but it has so much to teach us. I find it hard

to believe that we weren't wired with the same instincts as a spider knowing what line he can walk or cross.

For a spider, it's all about survival. Walk on or cross the wrong line and . . . .it's over. For humanity, I'm not sure it's any different. The difference is we don't weave a web for just ourselves. We weave a world web and what we do to that web affects us all. When some of the lines of the web are broken or someone else

gets caught, we do have the ability to throw them another one . . .  but sometimes we look the other way?

In the long run, that affects the lines we all have to walk. . .

My thoughts have run very deep in the last few months especially as I have seen so much division in our country. And the lines that have bothered me the most are the firing lines. The ones we line others up on, aim at and shoot with hurtful words. Bullets pierce the flesh - words pierce the soul. And one is more easily healed than the other.

My wish for us all, is to see these lines drawn not so that they continue to divide or exclude, but to meet somewhere, anywhere . . . just so they meet.

And that second line, that one comes from artistic expression . . . and that one is freeing.. It frees us from

ourselves to ourselves and ultimately to others. It allows us to express the deepest parts of who we are and

can inspire others to do the same. My hope is that the lines we continue to draw will be ones that lead us to peace and love. Because a web that is built together is a stronger one.That may be a tall order, but hey, one can dream can't she?!!

 Much love, Kim

XO

Sharing with Photo Art Friday, Finding Serendipity, Foto Friday, This and That Thursday

Little Things Thursdays, Thursday Favorite Things, Favorite Photo Friday, Fabluous Friday

To love, accept and appreciate . . .

"One of the most satisfying experiences I know is just to fully appreciate

an individual in the same way I appreciate a sunset....I don't find myself

saying, "Soften the orange a little more on the right hand corner, and put a

bit more purple along the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color,"

 . . . I don't try to control the sunset. I watch it in awe as it unfolds."

- Carl R Rogers

{A huge thank you to my kids for getting up extra early to allow me to witness this incredible sunrise}

 

It would be freeing wouldn't it, to just accept and be accepted for who we are.

To love and be loved unconditionally simply for no other reason than because we are human.

I mean, isn't that what we all strive for in this life anyway, above all else, to be loved?

And to belong? To not have to compromise our beliefs just to fit in?


I think when we allow for a mutual exchange of our experiences and knowledge and of how we

all see things, it will teach us respect, understanding and empathy towards each other.

It is, in these things that I believe we will find unity in our humanity, and love for our neighbor.

Because there is no hope for humanity without tolerance, no hope of love without first loving.

The intolerance I see growing simply breeds hate, hate destroys hope and without hope we become a world

full of despair and filled with fear. And fear is crippling. Maybe more like paralyzing  . . . going

neither forward nor backward.


And hasn't history shown us over and over again that action needs to accompany wisdom,

because without it, it serves no purpose at all. It serves no one, not even ourselves.

To be loved, accepted and appreciated, we first need to find a way to love, accept and appreciate those

around us where they are, and for who they are. Not for who we want them to be.


Every sunrise is different and unique and no two are ever the same. We don't expect them to be the same.

In fact it would be inconceivable to think we could change a sunrise. And why would we want to?

Yet we have all at one time, probably thought we could change someone else, maybe even the way they 

think. And who are we to think we should? I have seen a lot of sunrises and I admit there have been times

when I was disappointed because it wasn't what I thought it would be, or should be, or what I had hoped.

Because of my unrealistic expectations, I blinded myself to what was before me.  And I asked myself that

scary question, "How many times have I done that with others?"


Over the last 4 years I have had the opportunity to develop a bond with nature in a way that has taught me

many things. Nature's biggest secret . . . is her patience. She has a rhythm, nothing is rushed, and everything

has a purpose. So do we. So do the people that cross our paths, it is simply not our job to change them.

My wish is that we could learn to embrace and accept our differentness. And when we get past the

expectations, then we will begin to see and appreciate the incredible things about those around us unfold in

awe as well.


Because perhaps, just maybe, we are all different because we were not meant to be the same!


Love, Kim
XO


Sharing with Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Communal Global

Love . . . .

It's universal

and knows no bounds

it has infinite power to change lives

does not divide . . . but multiplies

it lives within all of us

and is not something you can keep just for yourself

strong, yet so fragile

and should be nothing but unconditional

it's an expression of yourself

and being open to the expression of others

it represents compassion and affection

and when used appropriately it is . . . colorblind

supporting, yet not overbearing

 a basic human need

and a deep spiritual connection in the depth of your soul

understanding and forgiving

although sometimes it's complicated

it has a unique ability to stretch the heart

 patient and kind

definitely not boastful

one huge requirement is acceptance

and it should include random acts of kindness

sometimes, it just feels like and unexplainable mystery

a feeling that is hard to define

it's sharing, believing and dreaming

and it endures all, hopes all, and bears all things

it is spoken in different languages all over the world

and in unselfishly expressed actions

it hurts when that special someone doesn't feel it back

something that can make you laugh and cry at the same time

there is no age limit

you feel this when you genuinely care for someone

a parent, a child, a friend

but, let's also not keep it from strangers

sometimes it's scary

our words put into action

it can be passionate and romantic

and it will have its highs and lows

sometimes sadness and tears will come with it

songs are written about it

it is expressed in our art

and millions of words have been spoken about it

the bible says to do this to our neighbors as we would do unto ourselves

it may not make the world go around, but it's a really good place to start

and is something no one should ever be without

it seems to be one of the most motivating emotions know to man...

It's called LOVE and I hope it spreads like wildfire!

I {heart} you,

Kim

xo

 

Sharing with communal global and:

 



Love is . . .

. . . pink tulips

it's universal

knows no bounds

it does not divide, but multiplies

it lives within all of us, but some give it more freely than others

a good friend

an adventure

it's not something you can just keep for yourself

strong yet so fragile

and it should be unconditional

it's an expression of yourself

and being open to the expression of others

supporting, but yet not overbearing

you're considered lucky when you've found it

a basic human need

it's spiritual

a deep connection to something

understanding and forgiving

sometimes it's complicated

it stretches the heart

what a mother feels for her child

patient and kind

not boastful

it's about acceptance

sometimes it feels like an unexplainable mystery

it's sharing, believing and dreaming

it endures all, hopes all, and bears all things

an action expressed unselfishly

strong affection for something

spoken in many languages

it can hurt when that someone doesn't feel it back

a unique feeling that's hard to define

something that makes you laugh and cry at the same time

there is no age limit

you feel this when you genuinely care for someone

to like or desire enthusiastically

it can be defined differently by many

sometimes it's scary

words put into action

it's a connection deep in your spirit

may not make the world go around, but it's a good place to start

it has it's peaks and valleys

something no one should ever be without

passionate, romantic

sometimes it can't be controlled

songs are written about it

it's expressed in art

the bible says to do this to our enemy as we would do to ourselves

millions of words have spoken about it

sometimes sadness and tears come with it

and it seems to be one of the most motivating emotions know to man.

It's called Love and I hope it spreads like wildfire!

Happy Valentines Day

Love, Kim

XO