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 Pencil Maker

PencilAfter reading about the pencil maker, I gathered a whole new perspective of this little gem, the pencil, and will view each one a little differently from now on.

A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX:

1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK.

2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.

3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.

4.) IN LIFE, YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.

5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.

Just pencils? I don’t think so…

Think about replacing the pencil with yourself. Do you promise to remember with purpose in your heart?

Magic with a common pencil…

Pencil Carving with Dalton Ghetti

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“Just the tapping of a pencil is taken for granted until you see what can be done with the TIP!” ~Author Unknown

AND just when you thought you had seen them all…

Check out Intricate Sculptures Carved from a Single Pencil by Hungarian artist and deviantART user cerkahegyzo. He carves intricate miniature sculptures from a single lead pencil (with the exception of #5 & #15, not sure how he did those!). The artist says it’s a hobby and form of relaxation for him and that he carves them in his free time. During the day he works as a professional tool-maker in Hungary.

Here is a little video of miniature pencil carving in action!

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Wildlife and Nature

The epitome of catnip is the enjoyment of wildlife and nature – observed, listened to, embraced, breathed, and savored. A visit to Autumn Sunshine today unveiled breathtaking views of wildlife, nature and the great outdoors. As Autumn put it so graciously, “We need to take time and think about it, and thank Mother Nature!”

I encourage you to visit Autumn Sunshine for inspiration. She is a wonderful writer with a heart full of sunshine ready to lift your spirits and bring on a smile!

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Happy International Women’s Day

Special Teddy Hugs!

Go to Awakenings for a video tribute, history and poetry.

A tribute to women and the power of a single individual to change the world. Each of us has something we can contribute—to others and ourselves.

Video Presentation – 

Phenomenal Women: The Power of One

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The Power of Words

 RudyardKiplingQuoteAs Rudyard Kipling so noted with his famous quote, there is power in words. Verbally words can make or break a situation, render heart-warming tenderness or hurl the harshest of cruelty. Do we say what we think or do we take a breath and think before speaking? Most would agree the latter is best but at the same time, more than likely all can relate experiences with the former.

Wisdom guides us to choose words wisely because once they are said they cannot be undone. Even the written word once passed forward has its impact the minute the words are read. Right to the heart! That’s where they go. They do not pass go, they do not collect $200. They land either softly as a feather as it graciously glides through the air or as hard as a rock hitting the bottom of a shallow pond.

Life is full of surprises, thorns, ups and downs. Laugh and smile at the surprises, enjoy the rose in spite of its thorny stem, look upward for guidance and make the downers uppers simply through thoughtful interpretation and perception.

Choose your words wisely and be a witness to the difference!

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Sunday Savorings

There is no advance notice for inspiration. It comes within a moment’s time without notification, without hesitation. It comes from near, it comes from afar: As close as one’s backyard, as faraway as across oceans and continents. catnipoflife is blessed with many wonderful followers across many divides, each of whom presents his or her perspectives on life, experiences of life, joys, sorrows and personal reflections.

Today while visiting press-inside, I was inspired by the video, Danube Delta, Romania: a unique region in Europe – where one still may find, at least in certain places, untouched wild nature, unaltered by civilization. Not only did it provide so much beauty of the country but it was set to background music by Enya. By truly listening to the lyrics of Enya’s music, you will understand the catnip of life!

Enjoy and marvel in the wonders of nature within a world of endless possibilities!

so much beauty

so much beauty
outside as well as within
waiting to be explored
inviting you to begin

looking and listening
reaching for touch
laughing, singing
enjoying so much

away from the noise
the hustle, the stress
knowing inside and out
when moments need rest

abiding in the heart
deepening in the soul
waiting for the time
to unleash and behold

©2013 catnipoflifeSharla Lee Shults

©2013 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

DanubeDeltaDanube Delta & Dobrogea

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Licking the Bowl

Admiring Family Ties

What common thread binds families together?
Must be those silent unspeakable memories
Which hide in the attics of our minds
Gathering dust, but never brushed away

Episodes of loving, laughing, defending each other
Strengthen emotions to immeasurable depths
Wanting not, wasting not treasured moments
That natural instinct directs along the way

Domestic chatter that may breed bitterness
Welcomes forgiveness with open arms
Knowing a quarrel is momentary
Quickly resolved and not for keeps

Times with friends, pets, even the common cold
Bare little resemblance to a naked forest
But instead resemble a sheltered canopy
To inherently stay even while winter sleeps

Recollections of coveting Mom’s cake batter bowl
Hiding tooth brushes, locking the bathroom door
Borrowing money without any vision of payback
Reveal frowns only later lifted with a kiss

Family ties shed radiant lights like chatoyant gems
Making us at our absolute worst look our best
Are never meant to be broken
And ultimately become bondages of bliss

©2009 Remembering
Sharla Lee Shults

Discount/Autograph Copies Available
Contact poetrybysharla@gmail.com

Also available on Kindle

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Reflections on a Rainy Day

Rainydayreflections

Touch of Catnip: Rain, please stop, so I can go outside and play!

The view outside
Emanates expression
Dour, eerie, solemn
Poetry in motion…

Winds of winter
Bite and sting
Whips of nature
Dance and sing

Rain’s pounding pelts
Soulfully align
Promising a rainbow
Traces of sunshine

Birds in flight
Soar above ground
Moments of fear
Thunderous sound

Barren trees, broken limbs
Silhouette the plight
Beaten, battered, torn
Well into the night

Morning view outside
Emanates expression
Ghostly resonance
Poetry in motion…

©2013 catnipoflifeSharla Lee Shults

©2013 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

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Seven Wonders

“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.”
~Thomas Merton

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Windows to the Soul

Eyes twinkle as smiles unfold
Opening windows to the soul
Lips of kindness softly speak
Shedding wisdom for the meek
Ears send sound waves to the mind
Listening as thoughts unwind

Sights and sounds of nature’s rare beauty
Keep us attuned to faith and duty

Arms stretch outward opening wide
Inviting warmth and comfort inside
Hands keep loved ones secure and near
Clasping tightly those held most dear
Legs and feet, a firm foundation stand
Holding steadfast through every demand

Mind and body should always remain in sync
Being in control of what we do and think

Heartfelt emotions triumph to never subside
Waning not, enduring forever to abide
Love and devotion join firmly hand in hand
Echoing solidity, not shifting sand
Memories unite the heart with the soul
Relishing that moments never grow cold

Windows to the soul reflect who we are
Opening portholes for those near and far

 ©2013 catnipoflifeSharla Lee Shults

©2013 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

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Beautiful Animals and Birds

Of course catnipoflife is not just about cats. It is about life and the joys found within all its beauty: the sights, the sounds, and yes, even the smells. We go about our daily routines sometimes not even noticing the little things that keep life in balance. A new bud on an old flower, a breath of fresh air, the wisp of the wind, a raindrop that quenches the thirst of the tiniest insect.


There is so much surrounding us that is truly amazing. Take the time to simply look around…

Beautiful animals and birds from Murvakonda Shailaja
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Sometimes all we need to end the day. . .

…is the beauty of the day itself.

This post was inspired by Penny Coho @TheWhyAboutThis. Visit Penny’s site for Sometimes all we need to start the day. . . You, too, will leave with inspiration just as I did.

Have a wonderful day, evening, and all through the night!

“The beauty of life surrounds us, open your heart and see through the eyes of your soul! ” ~catnipoflife

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