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!

Buzzin’ in Nature

Busy Buzzin’ Bees

Did you know . . .

* Honey Bees Can Fly Between 15—20 Miles per Hour

* A Colony Can Contain Up to 60,000 Bees

* A Single Worker Bee Produces About .083 of a Teaspoon of Honey

* Queen Honey Bees Store a Lifetime Supply of Sperm

* A Queen Honey Bee Can Lay More Than 2,000 Eggs a Day

. . . and more @ https://lnkd.in/ew3F_5Pq…

Most interesting is the Bee Dance, aka, the Waggle Dance.

It’s a fact. . .

Honeybees perform a “waggle dance” to tell their nestmates where to go for the tastiest food. Bumblebees have stinky feet and can tell who’s walked on a flower before them.

Life Lessons from the Bees

‘Bee’ the best you can be
Play together in love
Join hands in fellowship
Under the sky above

Seek the sweetness of life
Filled with smiles and laughter
Flit and flitter outside
Morning, noon, thereafter

Capture rays of sunshine
Sparkling on stems and leaves
Marvel at wildflowers
As they sway in the breeze

Look around you for signs
Listen before you speak
Life lesson from the bees
‘Bee’ yourself, ‘Bee’ unique

#nature #beekeeping #life

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The Heart Has NO Wrinkles

Heart-has-no-wrinklesIt is inevitable for the wrinkles of life to show their ‘ugly’ signs throughout the aging process. For some, the signs of aging appear much earlier than others. How soon they appear and the deepness of their appearance depends upon life itself…its ups & downs, as well as detours along the way. 

“Wave the magic wand!” we might say at some point. Ah-h-h-h, if only that would work but then we could find ourselves in the midst of a global storm! Yet, if we were without those wrinkles, what would that say about our lives? Would we have truly lived? Would we have smiled and laughed, as well as frowned and cried? Or, would our faces look pasty without any indications of former emotion?

Reflect back on times in your life perhaps when a wrinkle might have first appeared. What was your reaction? Did signs of any wrinkling change the love and compassion you feel in your heart?  To love and to be loved never ages regardless if wrinkles appear!

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”
Sophia Loren   

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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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Why catnip?

Question has arisen lately as to why catnip? Why indeed catnip! We all know what catnip does to the cat, but this is not about cats. This is about life. 60% of cats experience a behavioral reaction from catnip whereas 100% of humans undergo similar reactions when connected to nature. Excitement on one hand, tranquility on the other.

When I traveled to Boston with my daughter, Nicole, we stayed at the Encore Boston Harbor. What an exciting place this turned out to be. . . far beyond our expectations! Flowers, flowers, flowers, immaculate gardening everywhere. On one of our morning walks, we encountered this beautiful purple flower. Unfamiliar with it, Nicole used the plant identifier on her phone. Voila! CATNIP! The only catnip I had ever seen was simply a green plant. Excitement on one hand, tranquility on the other.

Thank you, Foxie, for your love of catnip. Otherwise, I may have never discovered the connection! Foxie is my 15-yr old calico Norwegian Forest Cat.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY

Below are a series of thought-proving questions. Read each question as though it were the title of a speech, article, or book.

THINK about how that question makes you FEEL. What action does it compel you to DO? For example, move on without giving it another thought vs. stop to listen or read about it.

Once you are “hooked” on the question that grabs you the most put the number of that question in the comments box. That’s it.

QUESTIONS:

1. What if you lived in a land of no “trees”?
2. When was the last time you felt the earth?
3. Do voices of nature call you home?
4. Does nature breathe?
5. Where is the diamond in the rough with the power to heal?

PS If none of these grab you, give me your thoughts around a similar theme:-)

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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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Life, Decisions, Paths and Choice

Life is busy!

Yes! Life is very busy and full of noise. It’s essential to find moments of stillness and reflection. 

Today, I invite you to reflect the power of choice and its impact in your life. Choice requires decision making.

The Power of Decision

Whether we choose to act or not to act, making a conscious decision is powerful. 

To choose = to have power. 

It’s a declaration of ownership over our lives and an acknowledgement of our ability to shape our future. 

Each choice we make, big or small, contributes to the person we become and the experiences we have.

Two Paths

In every decision we face, we can imagine our options as two distinct paths

One represents action, and the other, inaction. 

Yes, or no. 

Both paths lead to different experiences and opportunities. 

By acknowledging the consequences and rewards of each choice, we can trust our intuition and make decisions that align with our deepest desires.

Embracing Choice

As you continue with your day, let the power of choice guide you in your decisions. 

Remember, you have the power to shape your future, one choice at a time. 

Whether you choose to act or not to act, know that you have control over your destiny.

You are powerful. 

Take a moment to reflect on the choices you’ve made in your life, and consider how they’ve shaped your experiences and who you are today. 

Embrace the power of choice, and know that each decision contributes to the rich tapestry of your life.

Note: Credit for this post goes to the inspiration provided by Mike Knott, Life Coach, Spiritual Advisor, www.AttractingGrace.com

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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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