blooming

So tomorrow I turn 35. I rarely post photos of myself on this blog because typically I am the one behind the lens. This afternoon Nicolas put a red rose that he had just picked from our rose bush behind my ear and I just felt so beautiful and loved.

 I am reminded each day of the blessings I have been given in this life not because of any merit or attainment on my part, but simply because they are what makes life beautiful.

Part of keeping this blog is my effort in showing myself what a beautiful life I have indeed. The ability to pick and choose what I share here has a tremendous ability to lend itself to the craft of creating a beautiful life regardless of one's reality.

The truth is that my life actually is perfectly and authentically beautiful. There is order, simplicity, health, joy, love, sorrow, pain, dirty floors, life lessons, good food, good friends and a home-centered life that all makes it perfectly and entirely breathtaking.

Over the years I have learned the art of looking ahead and seeing the big picture. I have trained my mind, my heart and my soul to see beyond the here and now.

Living 'in the moment' seems to be a current cliche that is encouraged in our culture. There is certainly something to be said about cherishing each moment.Paying special attention to the here and now can have a tremendous ability to heal, encourage and cheer.  But in the end I believe that it is the ability and capacity to believe in what the future will bring that keeps one 'going' in this life. We all need to know why we are 'doing what we're doing' and be able to draw upon that knowledge to build a vision and a goal for ourselves, our families and our homes. Again, it is in the striving.

It is no easy task.

So tonight, on the eve of my 35th birthday, I celebrate all that I have been given in the life and all that this little, beautiful garden of mine is perpetually blooming into each and every day.