The sky is so pretty this morning, such a deep blue it’s almost purple in places. The birds are singing beautifully, happy and thankful for another day on planet earth. Absolutely no noise other than the bird songs, so gloriously peaceful. I sat in the swing enjoying the quiet for hours. Didn’t even ponder and some how the day got away from me. Kat has been lazy, too, sunning herself on the porch bannister, watching the birds frolic around the feeders. Two of her neighborhood cat friends came to visit late afternoon and Penelope barked them away.

I’m back in the swing after supper watching the sun begin to set as dusk quietly walks up the street. The lightning bugs, twinkling stars of the nighttime air, have begun flickering. The sky is white on the horizon with layers of gray above. Mother Nature is painting in gradient layers of gray as the sun, a bright beacon of white light, rolls down the horizon taking the day’s light with her. Father Sky tucks the sun in bed under a cloud quilt of pale pink and peachy orange. As the night arrives Father Sky pins the bejeweled stars and luminous moon on the purple night sky canvas. Father Sky scolds Mr. Waxing Gibbous for only dressing himself eighty percent tonight.

I’ve been immersed in quotes all day. Have given up writing them down, my handwriting is illegible. I can’t read my own scribble so I record them on my phone and file them away or print them out. I love this quote by Annette Funicello — “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.” So many days are wasted as we search for the next best thing or possession we think will be the key to our happiness. I’ve realized the most common everyday life experiences bring us more beauty and joy than the big fleeting moments we search for. As Marcel Proust said, “There is beauty in being.” Just being is what makes me happy. We need to just look around us and be grateful and thankful for our many blessings, accepting the everyday ups and downs of life as part of what makes life beautiful.

Scripture from Ecclesiastes encourages us to find contentment in our daily life, to accept each day as it comes, to be grateful for what God has given us, to realize our blessings are gifts from a loving God. Ecclesiastes teaches us that we should live by our faith, following God’s commandments. Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 states, “Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil — this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.” When we accept our life, not dwelling on the past or worrying about tomorrow, and appreciate all our blessings, we can find contentment.

Roy T. Bennet said, “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people.” What wonderful advice for us to follow.

“Blessings sometimes show up in unrecognizable disguises.” — Janette Oke