This morning I awoke to the most beautiful Sunrise; pinks, oranges, turquoise and yellow. The sun was not visible yet, but the scattered clouds were changing colors as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. A crescent moon sat boldly in the sky , a reminder of the night that just passed.
The Grand Canyon.... a flaming red sun coming out of nowhere making the land appear to be on fire as it reflected on the desert floor...a sunrise, not too long ago over the Colorado River...beautiful, majestic, the dawning of a new day. These are my memories, my gift to myself.
This morning's sunrise brought these memories back, filling my heart with beauty and peace. I sat on the front steps just feeling the morning, taking in every sight and sound, storing it, and marveling at the beauty. The birds were chirping, and then a Rooster made a few lonely crows...the world was awakening.
Ten years ago I was House Hunting, and the Agent had shown me probably 50 homes.... but nothing felt right. There appeared to be just that one thing that I didn't like, that one thing, in each house that prevented a sale. Of course I had criteria, my "wish list".... fireplace, large rooms, you know the usual things; but I couldn't find it.
The day before I was leaving town, disappointed and tired of looking, the phone rang; it was the Agent. Another house had just come on the Market and did I want to see it? Well, what did I have to lose but a little time, so we made an appointment for that morning.
We pulled up to the house, and the Agent unlocked the door. Within 5 minutes I knew this was it.....everything felt right. I could see the mountains out of every window, and the large back yard was perfect. No, there wasn't a fireplace, instead there were flowers and trees. I could hear the birds, and see the beauty of life. This was my house, I could feel it. Oh the rooms were small, the whole house was small, and nothing in it fit my "wish list." But I bought the house. I loved the yards, and the mountains. I loved the feeling of life, the majesty and beauty of the mountains, Sunrises to the East, and Sunsets to the West.
This would be Home.
I would have to say I am very blessed right now. No, I don't have enough Escrows to cover our expenses, and no I don't have money to buy Holiday Gifts. But that's not what's important to me. What's more important are the sunrises, and the sunsets, and the beauty of choices life gives us.
What's important is enjoying life....I will drive hours to a clients home and marvel at a blue sky, cloud formations, and just about everything around me. I am anticipating my drive to our office on the River tomorrow morning with pleasure. The scenery calms me, and gives me uninterrupted time to think, to put everything into perspective.
Nature brings balance to me. Just sitting outside and watching the day awaken reminds me that no matter what happens, no matter how much money I may or may not have, that tomorrow the sun will rise again for all of us, rich and poor alike.
Optimism is more than a word, it is a feeling, a belief that all will be right in the world. Negative attitudes are self-defeating, but an optimistic one brightens the day. It is like a sunrise of the soul, and everyone can feel it around you.
Tomorrow, or sometime during this Holiday Season, I might just help someone find that new house; the one that will come on the market.....The house that feels right for them. The House that will become their Home for the Holidays.
The Holidays are for Sharing, Caring, Family and Friends. It is a time for Love, and It is a Time for Giving. What better to give than a Positive Attitude, and a Love for Life and all the Beauty in it.
These are the true gifts, the Gifts Worth Giving..... and all of us can give them no matter what our circumstances are..........
By: Kathy McGraw- CELLing Realty
Kathy, I can only imagine the feeling you had the first morning that you woke up to the beauty around you in your new home. That itself is the gift.
This holiday season when the outlook is bleak for many families I hope they feel the beauty in the spirit of the season and give gifts from their heart.
What a lovely inspirational post to read this morning Kathy, thank you.
Hi Kathy - this post is so beautifully written, I feel like I'm right there with you enjoying those views, the sunrises, the yard and more. You are so right about how important some things are that so many others take for granted.
I love, really love, being at home in the mornings when the sun comes up and shines through the woods in my backyard. I love seeing and hearing the birds wake up and come to eat at the feeders I keep full for them. I love the late afternoons and the way the sun hits the front of my house, and shines through the trees in the front yard. When I see these things, it gives me some semblance of peace within me, helping me to know all will be right.
WONDERFUL post!
Ann
What a wonderful way to start my morning! You found your "gift" and it is not something to be wrapped and put under a tree. The best gifts in life are not "wrappable" (my new word for the day) :0) A beautiful post. Thank you.
I'm not a judge so I can comment :) and this was beautifully written and with writing this you not only whacked me with a bunch of positivity...you just may have inspired many to keep a positive attitude as well. Good luck!
Kris-" Beauty from the Heart" yes, and that one is the most expensive, the most valuable, and yet the least monetary outlay of all. Everyone can give it.......
Ann C.-reading about your home, I know you know the feelings....the sun shining, birds chirping, yes.....peaceful, and as you say, a sign all will be right..... Thank you.
Cynthia- I love your new word "wrappable"......no these gifts aren't "wrappable" unless we wrap them into our hearts, our souls........but don't think there's a ribbon that large :) :) Thank you......
Missy- How right you are....and while in the Peace Corps, and even now, I make many of my "gifts" using nature as the theme......gourds, wreaths, and photography.....
Brian- OK, thanks :)
Carole-Thank you.....I too am glad for that "one more" attitude.....and yes, I am sure I will help someone find their dream home too.....we really do need to keep in mind that many of those lists are like kids during the Holidays......remember how we used to sit with the Sears Catalogue.....thumbing through page after page of toys, writiing our lists, only th change it the next day :) :)
Ann H.- Oh, my values are so deeply ingrained I know they will always be there :) :)
Lisa- thanks for that....sometimes it's hard to put into words something that is so powerful for us, and it is a good feeling that you got the message I was trying to say.
Diane- Thank you very much :) (see above)
Sally- I'm glad you're not a judge either, and this isn't really for a contest anyway, it is "just the way it is" thanks for the contest or I wouldn't have put it into words :) :)
Sometimes it is just the most simple of things! I just wrote a contract today because the sun was shining in the living room window and she just sat there and enjoyed that, she didn't look at the bedrooms before she said. This is it, let's write an offer!
Todd
Rey- thanks ..:)
Shannon- Yes, some days are easier, and some days we have to reach down for those stored memories, and those stored feelings. nature really does have such a profound effect on me.
Monika- thank you very much......
Faina-Remarkable, me LOL...I just never valued stuff as much as I value people and life itself. Thank you for your kind thoughts ;)
Ginger-time spent with family is one of the biggest treasures of all. I love spending time with my grandkids , all kids really, becuase they are so innocent, and they still think Granma Kathy is fun :) :) We hike, fish, make crafts, and take pictures.....the true gifts for sure, the lasting ones.
Todd- I think I would like your client......and indeed it can just be that simple :) :)
Desiree- thank you....and really thank you for saying that about the pictures.....I love capturing the moment on film. This was the first Post that I learned how to do the frames and shadows.....:) :)
Kathy, This is one of the most beautiful and inspirational posts I've read in a long time on Active Rain. Everything you've written is how I also feel about nature, attitude, and perspective.
I loved your story about how you found the right home and why it was right....I had a similar experience one time; I bought a farm based on the view of the sunset from one of the upstairs bedrooms of the old farmhouse.
Wonderful writing and the best kind...written from the heart.
((-:
Jo
Mornings are my favorite time Kathy and you have given me hope that I will find the right home for me and my husband also. You made me miss the sounds of nature as well as the beauty. We both love nature also and the home we live in now just does not offer that, so we are looking ourselves. We have two girls in college so we scaled down on a home, but we made a mistake on location. THank you for the beautiful story because it made me feel like I was right there with you.
Jo-Anne- Nature is inspiration in it's purest form......I know you believe this as I have seen it in your writings :)
Vickie- Oh, I am so glad to hear that.....keep looking, you just never know where that "just right" home will be...I hope you find it before the Holidays so you can also enjoy the blessings during this season :) :)
Tom- thank you very much for your comment....:) :)
Neal-Yes, the first picture is of the Grand Canyon...I had watched the Red Sunrise, and saw this view later...so took the picture :) My emotions at the time were like standing on top of the world.....and this picture fit the feeling of that moment.
Look very closely and you can see the Colorado River....on the Print version you can see it better, but web photos lose a lot :) :)
Sister Kate, as I now call you all the time in my prayers, When you write you speak to my very heart. It is truly the thought and the meaning behind a gift that counts. It is too easy to throw money at a situation and we can always tell when someone thought about us in their choices.
There is nothing like experiencing Love and Joy through the eyes of someone you love. One of my best gifts from a friend was a coupon book that she made on her computer. It had coupons for all kinds of stuff. Little things that meant alot to me. She even gave me one to "borrow" her kids for the weekend. That was a great weekend, I pity those who don't take time to see life through their children's eyes.
I enjoy looking at life through your posts. You always put me in the car next to you, or hiding in the closet when you write. OK scoot over so I can watch the sunset with you later. Ain't life grand?
Toni- I love it when you come visit....you are all over the US, and never sure which State you're in...so when you come here it is that special connection for me :)
You talked about a coupon book.....my kids did that for me, and I loved it.. Toni my friend, thank you for the words, and any day......just close your eyes and visualize those Sunsets. When I left our River Office the other day, the sky was beautiful....and knowing how fast the sky turns, I crossed the bridge, drove down a side street and pulled over. You would not believe the picture I got......all the colors in the sky were reflected in the aqueduct........natures Photo Shop we can say :) :) OK friend, have to leave the sunset behind now....have a listing to get up, and pictures to fix. you have a great day.
Ryan- I understand perfectly.....and sometimes we have to also watch our own self-talk to make sure it stays positive......Fresh Air can fix a weary spirit pretty much any day......if we just let it surround us, and clear our minds ( easier said than done) :) :)
Kathy--you are truly a gifted writer. As far as your comprimises to buy your current home....quoting from Dances with Wolves, "Good Trade!"
Thanks for making my day!
Mary Ann- thank you and I agree, it was a "Good Trade" :) :)
Hi Bobby- Yes, I do have an Attitude of Gratitude :) :) It sure makes the world a nicer place. Thanks so much...loved your Post where you said this......You're going on vacation soon....enjoy :) :)
Gary- I too loved that the Agent took the time....I was a first time buyer (not in real Estate) and didn't know anything about the process.......she worked a lot for me, and I use my experience with her as a foundation of who I am today.....
Thank you for your comments :)
Just dropping by to say "Hi" and read all the comments you have gotten here. I have read this post 4 times now and each time it just sinks deeper and deeper into my soul. Thank you.
Great post Cathy
Do you believe in the laws of attraction and vibration and thanking God everyday that you are happy and grateful for your own personal goals?
Whenever I feel like I am getting in a negative frame of mind or around one, I really focus on the positive. I also affirm my goals everyday to myself and carry them around with me. Many of my goals are for my family.
Anne
Cynthia- I think I have read it a few times myself......:) Thank you for coming back.....
Anne & Eddie-I learned a long time ago not to label anything.....I just live what is in my own heart, mind, and spirit.....but I have heard of that book, or philosophy. I liked what you say about affirming to yourself, and concentrating on the Positives.....it is easy to see the negatives, they surround us every day, but when we look for the Positives, we can indeed find them.
Julie- thank you very much...I truly believe we are all blessed if we just take the time to appreciate what life has given us.
Hi Kathy,
I read your post right after you wrote it and I meant to come back and leave you a comment. Well, As I was going down through the posts, I recognised yours and sure enough I never made it back. So I re-read it and found it even more insightful about who are you then the first time I read it.
What I hope will be important to you is that you know, I already know. I know because we have have become friends and opened our hearts up to each other.
How I wish I could wave my magic wand and make this holiday your best ever. Perhaps I just did! For life and love , family and friends the best of the most gracious things that come into our lives is because someone wanted to. I do and I did!
You are a very special being and one I am proud and honored to call "Friend"
Good morning, Kathy - Thanks for entering the contest. I enjoyed reading your entry and love your photos!