Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner

If you are blessed with ability to see beauty in the everyday, unexpected, perhaps even 'ugly' things  in life,
don't ever let anyone take that away from you. Don't let anyone make you feel silly or foolish for being positive and optimistic. Don't let them dull your sparkle, harsh your mellow, squash your dreams, diminish your joy
or put you in the proverbial 'corner'. Don't let them make you feel small and insignificant just because they are intimidated by your BIG, awesome light. Shine that shit like a light house, baby!

I know it might be difficult. You might be completely surrounded my Negative Nancys. They might try to beat you down and hold you back. They choose not to be happy, and they don't want you to be either. But be strong and stay the course. Your persistence will do one of two things: Shut them down or turn them around. You just keep on keepin' on.

Believe it or not, there are some people don't wish to feel the sunshine on their face, they prefer to cower under their raincloud of misery. It's more comfortable to stay stuck where they are, perfectly unhappy in their world of lack and limitations.
Not me. I much prefer abundance and endless possibilities.

A bit unrealistic, you say? Well, you're entitled to your opinion. But I prefer to think of it as joyously optimistic.
And I am beyond fine with that.

Now, could you please hand me my rose colored glasses? I'm going to need them today - it's raining outside.

Ciao!

Nicole

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.  ~ Henry David Thoreau

Florida, Sunsets And Gratitude

One of the things I miss the most about living in Florida is watching the sun set. It's engrained in the culture there.
In Key West locals and tourists alike gather at Mallory Square every day for Sunset Celebration. Originated by Tennessee Williams - as the legend goes - who would applaud the end of the day with the sun set.
And a gin and tonic.
Today it has evolved into a party with artists, entertainers, music and food. Everyone gathers to watch as the sun sinks lower and lower into the Gulf. And when the last fiery bit of it slips below the water line the crowd erupts into cheers and applause. The sky burns orange on the horizon, and fades into pale lilac and then dark purple as night follows closely behind. If you're lucky there will be a few clouds that add an incredible layer of dimension to the show. Truly beautiful, breathtaking-Glory-of-God moments.
And Florida is so ridiculously flat, if you lived anywhere on the Gulf Coast you could catch the sunset any time.
I used to sit in the grocery store parking lot after work and watch!

But my favorite place in Florida to watch the sun set is Pass A Grille beach. As a child, my family would vacation every summer in St. Petersburg and we spent a lot of time there. The snack bar, The Hurricane restaurant and that beach hold many memories. As an adult living in Brandon, I would make the almost hour long drive to go sit in the sand and watch the sun go down. This was particularly soothing to me during some difficult times. Somehow being there would calm me and help me put things in perspective. And always I would be filled with a deep sense of gratitude.

Since moving to Raleigh I have had a difficult time finding the proper vantage point to catch a spectacular sunset, like the ones I'm used to. This area is much more hilly and densely wooded that it's not as easy as you would think. As I become more familiar with the town I make a mental note when I happen to find a sweet spot.
I am also lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the sunset from the hill just outside my apartment. But it's just not the same as my Florida sunsets.
The most beautiful sunset I have seen in North Carolina was ironically enough, in a grocery store parking lot. It was also the last sunset of 2012. I caught it by accident. I stood at the edge of the lot with cars whizzing by, and I watched the glorious show. With joy and gratitude I said 'Thank You' for another day. And I smiled because I had the overwhelming sense the He was telling me the best is yet to come. It was a perfect way to end the year.

'When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon,

my soul expands in the worship of the creator.'

Mahatma Ghandi