Viola ocellata Western Heart’s-ease, originally uploaded by davidhofmann08.

“When the heart is at ease, the body is healthy”

Chinese Proverb

This is so true, so true. And when the converse is true, the heartache definitely manifests itself in very physical ways. Such a complex connection between our emotional selves, and physical selves, and this has been on my mind very much of late. But I will ponder awhile and sip my tea….

It is Mothers Day, and I was given a most beautiful little photo album that stands up so I can have it on my desk at work. I’m very excited, it has many lovely photos, good times, good memories, pictures of the kids….

Happy Mothers Day, if any mothers out there happen to read this.

YUM!!!!!, originally uploaded by weehen.

It was so hot this weekend (before it started bucketing down to cool us off), so it was a perfect day for popsicles….here are my two rascals indulging.

If I fall down, will I still be smiling?, originally uploaded by Zolashine | Photography.

Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.

Chinese Proverb.

So true…so wise…I would only go further and say that failure is also not even trying something because you are afraid of failure!

Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes., originally uploaded by Mykl Roventine.

Well! I just love this photo and it has the added benefit that the photographer put the Jung quote for today with it - it’s different to what I would put with this quote, but I really like it. And of course it looks like something I would find in my own home.

“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961)

I just love today’s quote. I am guessing Jung thought awakening was a positive thing, since looking in is what he did mostly, but as far as I know, he wasn’t against dreaming too. We certainly all need a bit of that to balance out the introspection… What an interesting person he must have been. It would be great to have a chat with him over a cuppa, assuming we could surmount the language barrier, and the fact he is long-dead….

Colorful House Door- Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo, originally uploaded by omphale44.

“Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.”

Chinese Proverb

Isn’t this door gorgeous? I love the colours and old, flaking paintwork (I’m assuming it’s not someones effort at Carribean shabby chic!)

So thinking about doors opening…yes, that is certainly true. And they also close behind you sometimes, or close if you don’t go through them at the right time. I’m trying not to think too hard about that, since I’m on the downhill run of my 30s now, and sometimes it gets a tad overwhelming to think hard about where you are in in life and where you envisaged yourself and where you actually want to be. Life is good, don’t get me wrong, but it definitely isn’t perfect. That is all.

Gainsborough Shopfronts - Teasdales Family Bakers, originally uploaded by tatraskoda.

I make the most of all that comes,
And the least of all that goes.

Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)

What a lovely little bakery - I wonder if they serve tea there too? I would certainly retreat there for a cuppa.
Sara Teasdale sounds like a very sensible person, but of course her advice is easier to think about than to actually follow!

as we grow old, originally uploaded by Norma Desmond.

“As we grow old, the beauty steals inward.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’m certainly feeling my beauty stealing inward at a rapid rate these days. I’ve started to vehemently defend my 8 hours of sleep every night, and woe betide anyone who gets in the way of that! Isn’t this a gorgeous image? I love snowdrops…miss them so much in Spring.

House with Sun on Roof by Caity - March 2010, originally uploaded by weehen.

My 5 year old stuns me with her lovely art all the time…

a:close your eys, originally uploaded by Johnny & Aggy.

I shut my eyes in order to see.

Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)

I found a very inspiring person today, via my reading for a graduate class I’m taking.  He was very much ahead of his time - his writing and quotes are just brilliant, and he was spot on the mark…..someone I very much admire.

Garrett Hardin