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!

Jan 19

Find Serenity

by catnipoflife

Serenity Serenity.jpg photo

“I had found a kind of serenity, a new maturity… I didn’t feel better or stronger than anyone else but it seemed no longer important whether everyone loved me or not–more important now was for me to love them. Feeling that way turns your whole life around; living becomes the act of giving.”  ~Beverly Sills

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Find Serenity

Serenity_Sunset

Serenity has not one color
One place nor one time
It’s sunrise and sunset
Blue waters of storm or calm…

Serenity_Blue_Water

Cloudy and cloudless
Tina ripples upon a lake
Silence within when tossed about
Breaking waves amid a wake…

Serenity_Lake

Distant as the farthest mountain
Atop the highest peak
Closest as the sweetest kiss
Nearby a rocky creek…

Serenity_Rocks

Velvet touch of the crimson rose
Touchless like the thorny vine
Happily ending love story
Tingling goosebumps up the spine…

Serenity_Rose

Find serenity
Within your heart, mind and soul
Easily seen on the outside
It’s the inner beauty to behold

catniplogosm1©2014 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

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Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection

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Jan 18

NATURE’S SYMPHONY

by catnipoflife

A very special poem from Len Carver depicting the true essence of the catnipoflife! Thank you, Len, for your inspiring message.

Song_of_Storms

lenwilliamscarver's avatarmyownheart.me

Do you hear the music of the world around you?

Hear the crashing CYMBALS of the thunder
music of a raindrop as the clouds begin to weep?

A snowflake as it descends to earth?
Ivory keys fading to-night shades slush
Building to the crescendo of many PIANO keys

Smell the roses as they bud
to the unfurling as they bloom
Emitting scent of exotic perfume
A soulful sound of many VIOLINS

Hear the sound of butterfly wings?
The music of little fluttery things
music of HARP’s gentle strings

Hear the whisper of the trees
as the wind blows soft breath
Through the rustling leaves
Echoing softly …CELLO

Listen close if only to hear  music for
Lovers as they begin to swirl and twirl
in a dance of their beating hearts
like  passion of SPANISH GUITARS

Hear orchestration of earths symphony
Walk quietly with open mind and ears
Let sounds of…

View original post 9 more words

Inspiration poetry Reblog

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Jan 15

Awakenings: And the music goes on…Contemporary & Classical

by catnipoflife

See on Scoop.it – Awakenings: America & Beyond

One cannot leave the music scene without reference to adult contemporary music and contemporary classical music. Adult contemporary music prior to 1979 was sometimes referred to a Easy Listening or Middle of the Road Music. Classical music as most people are familiar is everything from Bach to Copland.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

For the adult contemporary music, there is one that not only must be mentioned but should be included for your listening pleasure.  Enya awaits @awakenings…

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

Awakenings Inspiration Scoop.it Video Clip

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Jan 15

Moving Right Along…

by catnipoflife

January seems to be on the speed track with the month already at its halfway mark. Time is moving right along at a pace much faster that we probably all prefer. Yet, with the passing of time lies the anticipation of the natural elements of early spring. Glory in the springtime initiates countless visions: greening hills, warming sun, tulips, pansies and wildflowers popping!

But, WAIT!! Am I being somewhat premature? The presence of ol’ man winter is still felt, chilling to the bone. That is, of course, unless you are relaxing on the beaches of sunny California, along Florida’s Emerald Coast, in the Florida Keys or perhaps cruising the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Ah-h-h-h! Sandy beaches, lounging chairs, suntan oil, basking in warm sunbeams, diving into cool waters—pleasure within an oasis of calm & relaxation!

Okay! Okay! Okay! Back to reality. . .

Before even splashing our mental coloring books with the hues of springtime, we must endure winter’s final chill or last blanket of pure white. As Terri Guillemets once quoted, “The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.“

So, put your imagination to work with some enduring visions of Ol’ Man Winter leading to the new birth of spring. Visual images featured today come by way of Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity. Marilyn is an awesome blogger enlightening her visitors and followers with her unique, often humorous writing along with her own awesome photography. She is also a published author. Check out her book The 12-Foot Teepee: A Survivor’s Tale @amazon.

Visions of Ol’ Man Winter

Snowcovered-Foliage

January brings ice palaces and snow
With plants lying dormant underneath
February stirs the depths of winter
Echoing sounds of chattering teeth

First_Snow

Cold sun amid afternoon shadows
Heralds colder temps at night
Warm blankets, cozy fires
Beckon cuddling up oh-so tight

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Winter time glistens
Adding its own personal glow
Pulsating with magic in the air
Creating mosaics in the snow

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Attuned to the winter cold
Hibernation’s a natural affair
With shorter days, longer nights
Sleeping resembles that of a bear

Winter-Woods

Sentiments of the winter season
Affirm human nature’s lassitude
Reflections echo the past and present
Offering a melancholy mood

Old-Number2

Nature in its own pristine beauty
Soon flourishes after winter’s thaw
Prickly, bristly thorns and spiny things
Will emerge cloaked in springtime’s awe

catniplogosm1©2014 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJztsL4NNLc

Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection

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Jan 15

Singing in the Shower

by catnipoflife

Can you imagine a world without music? It would be a world void of colors and textures, thus soulless. There would be no form, no expression. Thank goodness we have music or life would be a total bore, empty, useless. Music is all around us with melodies whispering in the wind, carrying along the harmonies of the songbirds. Each note captures the human heart penetrating deep into the soul leading to some of the best compositions imaginable. All you have to do is enjoy the catipoflife, listen to life’s songs! That includes singing in the shower!

Singing_in_the_ShowerDo you sing in the shower giving yourself top billing on Broadway? Are you a rock star or a diva? Did you know singing in the shower has become a widespread phenomenon?

Think about it. You can be what you want to be, as good as you want to be, an overnight sensation if you like since something magical happens when you sing in the shower. Have you ever noticed you actually sound better singing in the shower vs. out of the shower? For some reason, angelic pitch-perfect harmonies echo around the shower walls rather than bouncing through midair resounding of a croaking frog. That is the truth and there is a science of music to prove it!

That is not the only thing magical about the shower either…

Time for a shower…

MUSIC_animated

 FaLaLa…TraLaLa Boom De Ay…Boom Boom ShaBoom…NaNa-Nana-NaNa…everything before and after, as well as everything in between. Where would we be without music on the scene? Can you imagine a world without melody? Even the sounds of nature carry musical tones in harmony. Where there is sound there is rhythm from the clanging cogs of wheels definitely not ‘in pitch’ to Brahms’s Lullaby so relaxing one could sleep in a ditch. It keeps the sane man sane and lifts up the insane. MORE @awakenings about the beginnings of music…

Humor Inspiration

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Jan 10

Mystical, Mythical, & Magical

by catnipoflife

Mermaid-and-pirate-shipMost visions of a mermaid are those of beauty—mystical, mythical and magical. There are numerous legends surrounding mermaids and dozens upon dozens of books written about their lives and times. Of course, there are also accounts of the Sirens who were both dangerous and beautiful. They were known to bewitch sailors with enchanting music luring them into the ocean depths.

Mermaids are a timeless curiosity. There is and probably will be endless questions without definitive answers concerning the facts vs. fantasy surrounding the mermaid. Their mystical nature continues to inspire, awe and fascinate the human psyche. Legends surrounding mythical mermaids date as far back as 1000BC and will more than likely continue until oceans no longer exist. Mermaids, along with the butterfly dragons, may change over time in appearance within story telling but will always maintain a magical quality unsurpassed in mysticism.

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What inspiration do you gather from the mermaid?

Did you know someone in our history actually thought he saw mermaids swimming in the water, documented such in his journal, and even made the statement “the mermaids were not as pretty as imagined?” Yep, it really happened…January 9, 1493! Go to Awakenings to learn more about this sighting, who was at the helm and how such a mis-sighting could have happened. What sea creature do you think might be misunderstood as a mermaid? Of course, how can this be when a mermaid is no where near 12ft long nor weighs in at 1200 lbs? Here’s a hint…

Awakenings: Manatees vs. Mermaids

Mermaid-Quote

Related Article:

Mythic Monday: Mermaids and Ondines

Awakenings Inspiration Reflection

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Jan 8

Inspiration: Solace in Winter

by catnipoflife
Photo Credit: Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity

Photo Credit: Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity

How do you greet Winter—

Bitter, drab and dreary
Frosty sights and sounds
Anything but cheery…

 A silent ghostly presence
Chilling to the bone
Outwardly uninviting
Wishing it ‘Be gone!’?

Br-r-r-r-r is the sound
Silvery is the sight
From dawn to dusk
Bitterness through the night

This hoary side to Winter
Is that all there is to see—
A shroud of dreariness
Heaviness of heart to be?

Solace in Winter
Restores warmth to the very soul
Lifting up heavy hearts
As magical moments unfold

catniplogosm1©2014 catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

Yes, indeed, Winter brings chills to the bone but with it comes extraordinary beauty, grace and even a sense of magic. For those encountering snow, early, early morning reveals a new dusting of silvery white from Nature’s paintbrush swishing over, under, around and through everything in sight. Ice-glazed water glistens in the daylight as tiny birds peck away for a single droplet. The gracefulness of snowflakes whirl and twirl around and around floating effortlessly, landing softly one atop another. Person after person stroll in the midst, bundled up like Eskimos, giggling as the cold bites each nose and resemble the main characters within a magical snow globe scene.

Of course, we know there is a flip side to the coin depicting this scene. Whipping winds, fast-falling stinging snow, blizzard warnings, subzero wind chills do not seem so inviting. Shoveling snow, scrapping windshields, steering away from snow banks, donning three to four layers of clothing are commonplace when treks outdoors must be made.

Regardless of the coin’s side, there is solace in Winter that touches the soul even in its coldest moments…

Where do you find solace in Winter?

Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection Video Clip

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Jan 2

Sometimes plan, sometimes just wing it!

by catnipoflife

Sometimes_PlanAll too often life demands planning. Schedules must be outlined, then followed. Events have to be arranged whereby timing is critical, every ‘i’ dotted, every ‘t’ crossed. The planning relies on hope that the pendulum will swing in the right direction so everything falls right into place. It is impossible to meet the demands of daily life without the need for prior planning at some point in time. In laying those plans, it is also wise to remain mindful that the best laid plans can crumble as easily as a flaky biscuit.

Plans are made to be broken, by you or someone else. Plans may not happen, especially when you want them the most. Plans could easily swing in the opposite direction than intended. Yet, often enough for something to work out, it has to be planned.

How many times have you made plans to never see them materialize? For me, it seems if I plan it, I am extending an open invitation for it NOT to happen. Inevitably something is going to intervene. Timing is just not right. Gray skies appear across the horizon. Someone does not feel well. There is an unexpected knock on the door. The telephone rings…

john-lennon-lifeIs it necessary to plan everything, live by a stringent schedule every day, plan from one moment to the next? All that time busying oneself trying to plan right down to the minute might possibly be put to better use. Depends upon the situation, of course. Remember, the key is to sometimes plan. Couldn’t the schedules be set aside, an event postponed, thus causing the pendulum to swing in a different direction? A direction totally unplanned…in other words, don’t always plan, sometimes just…

Wing_It

Combine spontaneity with imagination… Embrace the creative possibilities!

Inspiration Reflection

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Dec 30

To Believe…

by catnipoflife

Each of us carry our own unique talents. Some are miniscule, some are gargantuan but they are still our talents. We are not all destined to be center stage as with the child prodigy, Jackie Evancho, who mesmerizes audiences with her remarkable operatic voice. She has talent, yes, but it is what she is doing with that talent that ranks first and foremost, front row center, in importance. Ponder thoughtfully as you listen to the words of her song,

To Believe…


Do you promise to do the very best you can?

Inspiration Video Clip

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Dec 28

Simplicity

by catnipoflife

[The links provided within today’s post provide additional insight into the world of simplicity as they connect to previous catnipoflife postings. For Eskimo Kisses, the link directs you to catnipoflife poetry within which you will need to scroll for the new poem.]

SimplicityHave you ever given much thought to the word, simplicity, other than relating it to the little things, those being easy to understand or do? There is simplicity of the world around us, simplicity of the moment, simplicity of thoughts, simplicity of actions, simplicity of trust, simplicity of values, simplicity of character, simplicity of respect, simplicity of generosity, which all fall within the complexity of love. None of these are hard to achieve. All reign within the realm of beauty, simple beauty, beauty of heart, mind, soul.

The mindset of beauty, its purity & clarity, forms the simplicity of elegance. To be elegant does not necessarily demand gaudiness for beauty is found in the humblest of things – beauty of a smile, beauty of wiping a single tear, beauty of an Eskimo kiss, beauty in the taste of a wild berry, beauty within the aroma of a freshly cut rose, beauty within the embers of a campfire (Read catnipoflife poetry below).

Then, there is the power of words, those which are penned for posterity.The most powerful expressions can be written in the simplest form yet be truly austere, most humbling, undemanding, fully generated from the heart.

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Around the Campfire

Nothing like the burning smell
Of a cozy open fire
As amber-glowing embers
Displace any chilling ire

A cup of rich piping hot cocoa
Eases bitterness of the cold
As vapor rises to the nostrils
On downward deep into the soul

All bundled up in sweats
Cross-legged on a woolen rug
Wisps of newly burnt ash
Land softly in my coffee mug

Smell of toasting marshmallows
Tempts all senses, typically taste
When golden brown in color
Ready to be eaten post haste

Simple aromas of nature
Sentimental thoughts do aspire
As wintry pine needles and cones
Sizzle, snap and pop in the fire

Old favorite campfire songs
Snuggling, ghost stories and such
Echo with smiles and laughter
Of memories loved so much

In the magical hour of midnight
No stronger time doth inspire
Than the gripping taste of hot cocoa
Around the blazing campfire

catniplogosm1©catnipoflife
Sharla Lee Shults

“One can enjoy a wood fire worthily only when he warms his thoughts by it as well as his hands and feet.”

—Odell Shepherd (American professor, poet & politician, 1884–1967)

Simplicity1

Inspiration PoetrybySharla Reflection Slideshow

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