Have a fantastic week, my friends!

Wonderful things happen when we least expect it.  I am speechless and thankful to John Pocino who wrote this about me and posted on CNN iReport.  Although we met just for a few short times, he read me as an open book:

“Today we are blessed with advances in technology that allows everyone to express themselves on their own level. The artist within comes Alive.

This technology allows other to create and demonstrate expressions that were trapped within the thoughts or each individual. It allows for personal growth and expression that couldn’t be achieved in the past. Anyone can purchase expensive equipment that enhances his or her work. Whether it be a Cannon 5D or the RED Camera.

But in the mist of all this technology, there is still the true artist. The one individual who takes a basic camera and creates. Creates more then pictures but create life. They only have to open their eyes to see the beauty of the world and push a button to capture that beauty for all to see.

Ineta McParland is such a person. I had the pleasure of viewing a new book that is being published.  While viewing the pages they seem to jump out at me and capture my imagination. It’s not that Sarasota is beautiful; it is that Ineta demonstrated through her eyes and through the lens what her heart sees in Sarasota.

She doesn’t own an expensive Cannon 5D, but with only a modest camera she uses her heart and soul to expose the beauty she sees. Her eyes are not just the windows of her soul but also the reflection of her heart. For each photo represents her love for life. An intellect would have to put mathematic equations to her style; they could not accept that the soul produces beauty that is unexplainable. Her decrypted writing enhances the vision she holds in her mine. She allows us the pleasure of experiencing her work and for that we are grateful.

There are other great photographers in the area, but I am talking about Ineta McParland. She brings beauty to the world and the people that surround her. And for that we are in a better place.

I would cherish the book with her autograph, and share it to other generations to view. It’s simple in design but complex in content.”

CNN iReport

Often times we depend on someone or something to make us happy.  We think, “When I’ll make x amount of $, I’ll be happy,” or “When I’ll meet someone special…” or “When I quit my job…” or “When I’ll get married…,” or “When… (fill the blank).”  List goes on.  What we do not realize is that we can be happy right here, right now.  We usually seek happiness outside ourselves, when Happiness is an inner state of mind.  Often times, people comment that I always smile, I am always happy.  That’s what I choose to be.  My personal motto is “Life is too short to be unhappy.”

You may protest, “How can I be happy if I lost my job, if there is a shortage of money, if kids are making me crazy, etc., etc.”?  These are only your life situations, transitional events, opportunities for a change.  They do not make who you are.  They do not define your being.  Look at the 3rd world countries.  People there do not have much, but they sing and laugh like nothing matters.  Look at children – every small thing fascinates them.  It does not make much to make them happy.

In Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus, one of the synonyms for “happiness” is gladness.  My happiness consists of gratitude.  I’m very grateful for everyday that I live.  I’m grateful for my family and friends.  I’m grateful for my life.  That’s all what is important to me.  Sure, there might be worries or unsatisfied wishes or frustrating events.  They are nothing compared that I’m so fortunate to have what is important to me:  my family, friends, pets, my health and my life.

Problems do not define who we are.  They are just the next steps in our lives to get to the higher level, to go to the next transition.  We can fight it and be miserable, or we can go with the flow – make choices which way to go.  Life is all about choices.  It is a matter of opening the doors and go whatever direction we choose to.  Now if there seems no doors, we can always make them by breaking the wall.

When I’m in the state of happiness, it does not take much to be happy.  When I’m in the state of gratitude, everything – the smallest things fascinate me:  a blooming rose, a walk on the beach, wind in the hair, sunshine, puppy’s hug, to hug and kiss my family and friends.

Life is too precious.  Enjoy every minute of it one smile at the time, minute by minute, and be grateful of what you have.

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito. – Betty Reese