Life is truly a mismatch of moments, right in this moment over the tapping of my keyboard I hear songs of the different birds that call my garden home. Moments like now, as my open windows let the summer breezes wash over me remind me that life is full many blessings.
Recently I watched the sunrise over the ocean, and that evening I watched it set. A day. A day can hold so much. We never truly know what each day will bring us, we can plan, we can hope, but so much is unwritten. No matter how much we wish we could control, or manipulate the outcome of each day, nature reminds us we are truly at its mercy. We cannot control the sun, clouds, or storms, and we can not control anyone, we can only control how we react to what a day brings our way.
Life has presented me with so many gifts, yet it has crushed me to the point that I could barely raise my head and go on. It has made me cry tears of joy and gratitude, yet it has ripped out my heart leaving me bloody and bruised. My journey is unique, as everyones is, yet it is also no different. We have all suffered, we have all celebrated, we have all begged for the pain to stop, and we have all wished to hang onto moments that took our breath away.
There is no denying there were times where I struggled to see out of the darkness, where I thought I had nothing to offer anyone especially myself. Words like mindfulness, and being in the moment felt like foreign concepts, why would I want to be present in a moment that was full of pain? I persisted though, even in my weakest moments somehow there was an inner strength, a light, a will to survive. So as hard as it was I searched for something in those moments that was worth grasping on to. I listened for the bird songs, I felt the wind in my hair, the sound of fallen leaves under my feet, somehow I began to see a path out of the pain.
I can only control me. It leaves me vulnerable, but it also gives me power. I am full of faults, of scars, they are not ugly though, they are beautiful, as are yours.
Recently I shared with you the concept of being still, of being quiet and letting thoughts, or resolutions come to you. For me one word came to mind, Sparkle. This year I am going to sparkle. I am not going to adorn myself with jewellery, or wear sequinned tops, I am talking about my inner sparkle. My light. Whatever this year brings, I am determined to not let anyone, or anything dull my sparkle. I am going to remain authentically me. I am going to give honest compliments and smile at the people I walk past on the street, or who serve me in shops. These are things I do already, I am going to focus on this more though, and try to make other peoples lives happier by sharing whatever kindness and light I can.
What are you going to focus on this year?
Thanks for joining me, love Mackenzie xx
14 comments
Those are some beautiful photographs sprinkled through some raw truth telling! More power to you for allowing your inner light, no matter how feeble it must have felt, to guide you through your darkest hour. That’s what life is about, isn’t it? How we respond to the things it throws our way.
I love your word of the year! May you uncover your inner sparkle and let it shine bright through everything that you do! <3
This is so inspiring. We are indeed vulnerable. The moment we realise that and embrace it, we open ourselves up to so much possibility! We cannot control our environment, but we can control how we see it. Love the idea of sparkling this year and I look forward to reading more of your posts Mac. So good to have you link up again! #globalblogging
Beautifully written and thought provoking. I’ve also learnt that focusing on the small but wonderful is profound and positive x #ablogginggoodtime
Very inspirational, and I really like your chosen word/concept ‘sparkle’. Beautiful photos as well! x
#ablogginggoodtime
Lovely sentiments. I do, however, envy the fact you are enjoying summer breezes down there while I am locked in the bleak mid-winter here!
Beautifully written as ever Mackenzie – this year I am going to focus on things I love – learning more about photography and spending time away with my family. Sarah x #ablogginggoodtime
what lovely images to go along with perfect sentiments. My word is MORE: more dancing, more laughing, more family time, more me time, more interaction, more learning… I’m planning an action packed 2018
I do find so much inspiration in your posts Mac! That’s exactly how I feel about my own self-discovery. Of my past and my present. My journey was long and hard and at times, I wasn’t sure I could go on but somehow I made it through and realized there is a warrior inside me who keeps me fighting for the life I want and the happiness I deserve. Your post made me think about that today:) #ablogginggoodtime
Beautifully written! As soon as you realize you are vulnerable and let yourself break down those walls, you seem to enjoy life around you so much more. Thanks for sharing!
#abloggingoodtime
I love the idea of letting your inner sparkle shine through. That’s something I’m going to focus on this year too – sharing kindness and light whenever I can. #ablogginggoodtime
Your words are as gorgeous as your photos. I envy the warmth of the sun that you have now as we slip and slide in snow and ice, and I am grateful for the universe introducing me to a sparkle of glitter as lovely as you, Mac! Happy, healthy 2018! xoxo #globalblogging xoox
This sounds like a pretty good goal to me! My focus for this year is to stop stressing over the little things and enjoy life more. Life is definitely too short! #ablogginggoodtime
Sparkle is a great word Mac. Good luck!
My word for the year is SELF. That sounds really selfish and narcisisstic. It isn’t meant to be. This year I intend to carve out time for myself and to make the most of who I am. This means going to the theatre once a month, reading a book a month, and running 365 km a year, which isn’t much in running terms, but will enable me to carve out a bit of time and space for myself. I am hoping I’ll also be able to lose a bit of weight. Thanks for sharing Mac. I think you sparkle already, but I am really glad that it is something that you’ve chosen to focus on this year. Pen x #ablogginggoodtime
Another inspirational post – you have such a positive outlook! #ablogginggoodtime
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