catnipoflife

Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties, Breathe the breath of life, Savor life to its fullest!

The Power of Nature

The “catnip of life” IS Mother Nature! Like the effects of catnip on the cat, nature provides us excitement on one hand, tranquility on the other.

Nature is fertile ground for creativity and imagination. Often the simplest views of nature spark the most profound thoughts of thankfulness and gratitude.

This image reminds me of Robert Frost and his reference to the road less traveled. Even though this presents a single road vs one that forks affording us a choice, this too opens the door to choice.

While it appears quite simple in its view, it is powerful in meaning. It invites you to travel along the road of simplicity, leaving the busyness behind.

Would you travel this road or seek a more profound view?

#nature#life #travel #gratitude #simplicity

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C.A.T.N.I.P.

What would you label as being more important than your HEALTH and VITALITY? That should be an easy question to answer: NOTHING! Why? Because it would be difficult to live the life you love with your well-being simmering, sometimes barely simmering, on the back burner.

From the United States EPA (2023), Americans spend 90% of their time, not OUTdoors, but INdoors. Over half of American adults report spending 5 hours or fewer outside in nature each week. Over three-quarters spend 10 or fewer hours outside each week. (NATUREOFAMERICANS.ORG) Fox News reported recently nature deficit disorder as a problematic health issue. Negative health effects include obesity, cancer, heart disease, stress, anxiety, and depression.

The age of technology and the aftereffects of COVID have placed more and more demands on sitting at home or in an office staring at a computer screen. Then, there is also the cellphone which often times seems to be glued to people’s faces.

My challenge to you today: Step OUTdoors! Feel the energy of the earth beneath your feet. Listen to the soothing melodies of the wind and the birds. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. And, find comfort among the trees. In other words, BE outside. Trees are alive with energy flowing upward from the roots embedded deep within the earth as they gather their energy from the sun to grow and survive. The wind brushes the branches and leaves upon which the birds perch gracefully sometimes in joyful song.

HUG the TREE! Yes! Hug the tree! With your body tightly against the tree, offload all your emotional pain, absorbing the tree’s life-giving energy. The tree in return absorbs all the negative energy surging throughout you own body. The benefits of hugging the tree include reduced stress, improved immunity, lowered blood pressure, and quicker recovery from trauma or illness. (The Wilder Route. The Incredible Benefits of Tree Hugging) Thank the tree with love and move on about your day leaving any stress and anxiety behind you.

There is no age limit to hugging a tree. Make it a family and friends affair!

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Live from the Catnip of Life

Even when skies are gray, the sun is still shining. It is in the background but it is there. Shining as brightly as ever beyond the clouds, it is the center of our solar system.

Savor life to its fullest! BE the difference that makes the difference!
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CATNIP OF LIFE on the ROCKS (Literally)

Last week I had a photoshoot along the jetties at Panama City Beach, FL. This was scheduled to accompany an article I was asked to write about the Catnip of Life, which will be published during the month of June (Stroll Grand Lagoon – Delivering Neighborhood Connections). The photo shoot was an absolute blast! There are always stories to tell and of course, there is a ‘doozy’ behind this photo.

There were quite a number of photo shoots going on the day we were at the jetties. Some photographers had their professional equipment set up in the sand, while others were shooting with their phones. Mandjo Brokaw had just finished a shot when I turned around and spotted a young man standing tall on top of the same rock as depicted below. Another young man was snapping pictures with his phone.

Without even thinking twice, I turned to Mandjo Brokaw and exclaimed, “I want a photo on top of that rock (pointing to the young man as he stood proudly upon the rock, which was about 6 ft above the sand)! In an instant, I approached the young man with the camera after he finished snapping pictures.

Yes! I introduced myself and asked a favor. “I want a picture on that rock but need assistance getting to the top.” He grabbed me by the hand and up we went! I was barefoot so had to be careful because the sand was slippery on the rocks. He was steady as could be and led me right to the top, stepped aside, and I raised my hands to the glory of our Heavenly Father! (The young man’s name is Colin and very handsome!) 🙂

My only regret is that I didn’t have more pictures taken while I was there, perhaps sitting, instead of only standing, and on one foot, instead of both feet! hahahahaha Tomorrow IS another day and the jetties are surely not going anywhere soon!

Observe. Listen. Embrace. Breathe. Savor. Life to Its Fullest!

http://www.catnipoflife.info

#jetties #beachlife #nature #fun #photoshoot

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Live from the Catnip of Life

This is a FB live I completed on Thursday, May 11,2023. Even though wishes are expressed for a Terrific Thursday, the message holds fast any day of the week: Marvelous Monday, Thrilling Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Terrific Thursday, Fabulous Friday, Super Saturday, and Splendid Sunday.

Step outside into the catnip of life! Need help in learning more about this catnip? Visit catnipoflife.info Click the tab Books & Contact for the new release Catnip of Life! Grab your copy today! You can walk hand in hand with Mother Nature regardless of a bright sunny day or amidst grey clouds and stormy weather. Like the effects catnip has on the cat, reel with excitement or relax in tranquility!

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Friends vs. Friendship

Piggies1

Piggies can be our friends!

During a lifetime, each person will encounter innumerable friends. They will come. They will go. Some will be remembered. Some won’t. Many will be real. Thousands will be virtual. Yet, we call them all friends. There is really no separation. Some we see. Some we don’t. These are our circle of friends.

What makes a person a friend? Can someone be called “friend” yet not truly be a friend, only act friendly? Everyday conversation occurs during which someone will reply, “Oh, he’s my friend!” or “I know her. She is a friend of mine.” Has this happened to you? Have you ever paused in wonder as to what made you identify a person as a friend? Each of us will have different thoughts and answers to that question.

We have work-friends, buddy-friends, intellect-friends, fun-friends, the talker-friend and the listener-friend. There is the big brother or big sister and of course, the friend who is like a mom or dad. Some even earn our trust as we accept them into our hearts without question. Each plays a significant role in life.

Now turn to friendship. Any difference?

Friendship is a form of love, passionate in the sense of caring and understanding but not erotic. It is resting your head on someone’s shoulder and crying out of sheer happiness or sobbing uncontrollably in times of sorrow. It is that person holding you so tight you do not want them to let go for you are no longer capable of separating one person’s tears from the other. It is disagreeing and finding harmony in disagreement. Those are the personal lasting friendships.

Today, with the advancement of social networking, friendship does not get applied to many situations. The friends in this environment are acquaintances that people do not even know and probably will never know. Yet, comfort can still be found, it is simply within written communication, rather than in person.

Each of us can be a friend, associate with friends, and form lasting friendships. Those that last are the ones which we truly celebrate. In other words, a celebration of friendship is when you are not only told you have dirt on your face but your friend helps you clean up your mess! This is our blessing of friendship.

Angel of Friendship

friendship_angelstar-divider-lineA cloud floats from Heaven
To rest upon a shoulder
A soft, billowing pillow
Where an angel abides

Quietly, gently resting
‘Til needed to leaven
Heaviness like a boulder
Laying worries aside

Who is this angel?
Quintessence of loyalty
Bearer of charity
Who offers companionship…

Listener with quiet understanding,
Sunbeam smiles radiating harmony,
A messenger of amity
Ensuring a lasting relationship

Who is this angel?
This angel is the angel of friendship!

Echoes©2004 Echoes
Sharla Lee Shults

 

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Touch of Catnip. . .

Catnip is all about life. The excitement. The wonder. The tranquility. Most of all, it is awareness of knowing that all three abound in conspicuous, as well as inconspicuous, places. Some glare you right in the face but go unnoticed, yet await your personal discovery.

The cat chases the mouse

cat-mouse-horizontal-line

The frog catches the fly

Frog-fly-line

The dice keep rollin’

rolling-dice

As tunes rock on by

music-line-animation

*****

Such are happenin’s
That daily life brings
With chases and captures
Come emotional stings

*****

Within ties that bind
Bumps and knots along the way
Thoughts of sights ahead
Bring smiles at close of day

smiley-line

*****

Perhaps it’s ocean waves
Stars twinkling in the night sky
The hugs, the tender kisses
The dance you can’t deny

*****

Maybe it’s none of these
Perhaps they’re all rolled into one
Within each day that passes
It’s life. It’s love. It’s fun.

 Advice-from-the-cat

All part of the Catnip of Life!

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The Pulse of Life

heart_beats

From the first heartbeat to the last, there’s a rhythm to life known to us all in the form of music. . . slow beats, rapid beats, beats out of sync, skipped beats, irregular beats, beats that make the heart flutter. The pulse of life changes as moods swing and bodies sway in accordance with the sequence of stressed and unstressed beats until the final beat falls silent.

Remain on-beat thwarting those off-beat moments that attempt to set you off balance. Keep upbeat with a pep in your step as you reach out for the sun or walk in the rain. It’s all in the music…the music called life

And, what better way to enjoy life than hand in hand with Mother Nature. That is the Catnip of life. . . reel with excitement or relax in tranquility! Just like the music, ride the waves like dancing the Jitterbug or flow along with a mountain stream like the Vienna Waltz. 

Music-Heart-Beats

Heartbeats

Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties,

Breathe the breath of life, Savor life to its fullest!

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From Tears to Smiles

A true story. . .

Today has been exploding with energy! On my early morning walk, I encountered Lily, a little girl about 5 or 6 years old, standing at the corner sobbing. I stopped and asked if she needed help. Was she hurt?

No, not physically. Her brother was on his bike peddling up the sidewalk and had left her standing at the corner. She said her father told her she could go no farther than the corner where I found her. So, there she stood with tears streaming down her face all alone.

I reached out with open arms and offered that we quieten her tears with a big hug. We stood there embracing as time seemed to stand still. I explained to her that her father was only trying to protect her.

I took her by the hand and we walked to her house where her dad was vacuuming the car. I asked if it would be okay for me to walk Lily to where her brother had stopped. He recognized me so I was no stranger and he said yes.

I told Lily we were going on a short journey and she needed to hold my hand tight. When we crossed the road leading to where I lived, I explained that was a river flowing with energy. Then, when we came to a bicycle bar along the sidewalk, I told her that was the bridge to a beautiful garden and for her to picture her favorite flowers.

We met her brother and then, turned around and headed back to the house. Along the way, we stopped, gathered and gave energy to a large tree. With both our arms, we could reach all the way around the tree’s trunk. When her brother passed by, he asked why we were hugging the tree. I explained that the tree is life that thrives on love, giving and receiving energy throughout the day and night.

We continued on our way and had I had a rearview mirror, it would have been interesting to see if the brother stopped to hug the tree.

I left her with her dad smiling, instead of sobbing feeling left out and alone. I continued on my walk knowing I had encountered the two kids that would be instrumental in listening as I write and complete my most challenging writing. . . a children’s book connecting a child with nature.

What a glorious day! We never know who or what is going to cross our path on any given day. Be grateful for all blessings received and give thankfulness in return.

Note: The photo was taken a while back when visiting family in South Carolina.

#writing #help #love #energy #grateful #streaming

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Before I Fall Asleep

Dreams . . . fantasies, awakenings of hidden memories, desires. . . occur only once REM is achieved. This usually happens 90 minutes after you fall asleep. That’s an hour and a half! 

Question is “What happens in that time of pre-REM? or What do I do before falling asleep?” Is there a key or magic dust, which allows me to fall asleep calmly, enhancing the possibility of an oncoming dream and restful sleep? Wish I could provide THE answer but of course, I can’t. What I can do is think about what I actually do perhaps finding the trigger to falling asleep without counting sheep (or in my case, cats!). Um-m-m-m?

Let’s see…

  • Do I have a glass of warm milk? NO! (I don’t even like milk, let alone warm.)
  • Do I have a nice warm bath? NO! (Not sure I could get out of the tub. LOL)
  • Do I watch television? NO! (I hate TV these days. Same-o, same-o. Mostly bad news and as for movies, I know what is going to happen before it happens. Get some NEW material, producers!)

What do I do?

  • I thank my body for carrying me through the day.
  • I listen to meditative music 10 to 15 mins. Thank you, Alexa.
  • I read 10 pages in a book of empowerment and inspiration. 
  • I close my eyes in prayerful gratitude for all the daily blessings.

sleeping_cat1

Of course, the flip side is I am a writer. Usually after having fallen asleep at the computer, I decide to shut it down and head to bed. Once nighty-night preparations are in order, I wiggle my body under the covers and complete my 4-step ritual. Foxie, my calico cat, pounces into bed landing either on my chest or abdomen. (Glad I recently had her claws clipped!) Foxie kneads and kneads and kneads, then gives herself a bath and finally snuggles against my side. I give her a usual love pat and she purr-r-r-r-rs softly while settling down for the night.

I turn out the light, sighing softly to myself how grateful I am for my nice warm bed and I am ready to go to sleep. . . or so I think!

Can'tSleepMy brain won’t stop! I barely close my eyes when “words of wisdom” begin fleeting in and out of my mind like a swarm of bees flitting from flower to flower seeking pollen. I grab the ever-ready pad and pencil (or my cellphone) readily available on the night table sometimes turning back on the light, other times not. In earnest haste, I jot down as many thoughts as I possibly can but inevitably miss many in the process of writing them down or getting them into my notes on my cellphone. At least some are saved! But, now I am wide awake!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

What is your secret to a good night’s sleep?

How do you turn off the mental noise at the end of the day?

Nighty-night! Sweet dreams. . . z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z. . .

Notice Foxie is asleep on my laptop! Busy day for her, too! Meow!

Foxie_Lap1

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