“If you love someone, the greatest gift you can give them is your presence.”
―Thích Nhất Hạnh
~ Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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There is No Heart for Me Like Yours
Love said to me, there is nothing that is not me.
"Love said to me, there is nothing that is not me. Be silent."
—Rumi
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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The Secret to Living the Life of Your Dreams
“The secret to living the life of your dreams is to start living the life of your dreams today,
in every little way you possibly can.”
—Mike Dooley
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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Gateways to New Beginnings
“Nothing is predestined. The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.
—Ralph Blum
Good morning and happy Friday! I have a Visual Inspiration for you today featuring a favorite “New Beginnings” quote that I hope might inspire some creative new ways of thinking about our lives. Can we look at the obstacles in our lives differently? Can they be transformed into gateways that move us forward into a new future? I encourage you to set aside some time this weekend to consider the possibilities. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave your comments below and let’s have a conversation about it!
Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend ♥
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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Start Today and Make a New Ending
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
—Maria Robinson
Good morning! I had such a fun time making today’s Visual Inspiration for you. I really love this quote by Maria Robinson. It is such a great quote… Isn’t it the truth! Not happy with your life story? We can all start today and make a new ending!! Yes!
The photo I chose for the Visual Inspiration seemed like the perfect pairing for the quote. I remember the winter afternoon I took this photo well. It was several years ago, and I had let the wind “blow me” through the winding roads of Central New York to do some photographing. I decided to make a right-hand turn up a road I had never driven before, and, much to my delight, I came across this wonderful, colorful family of cows!
As luck would have it, the owner of the farm drove up just as I was getting out of my car, and she invited me onto her property to take some up-close and personal photos of her cows. These were the most unique cows I’d ever seen, each with such special beauty and character. It was the best day!! I am always blown away by the kindness and hospitality of people in Upstate New York, and I have the best collection of cow photos to remember this special day 🙂
Enjoy ♥
“Calling the Cows Home”
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What new story will you write for your life?
Every day is an opportunity to write a brand new story for your life.
There’s no need to continue living yesterday’s story.
Today, we can begin our lives anew!
What new story will your write for your life?
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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Happy New Year!
The Fire of the Frost; The Soul of the Sunbeam
“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake,
the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam.
This crisp winter air is full of it.”
—John Burroughs, “Winter Sunshine”
Good morning! The winter solstice is on Saturday, and, although I’ve been shoveling feet of snow somewhat begrudgingly the last few days here in the Northeast, the very fact that winter is almost “officially” here, has me in a joyous spirit and ready to celebrate the season! How about you?
I’ve created a Visual Inspiration for you today featuring one of my most favorite winter photos paired with a marvelous quote by writer and naturalist John Burroughs, from his essay, “Winter Sunshine.”
The memory of taking this photo is vivid in my mind. Although it was three winters ago, it feels like yesterday. It was 10 degrees outside, and despite the freezing temperature, I stood in awe, snapping photos for nearly an hour, until the very last light. I had been driving home at the end of a full day of shooting photographs along a lovely lake in Upstate New York, and, as I was driving, I caught a glimpse of the most incredible colors in my rear-view mirror and quickly turned off the road to look back in the direction of the setting sun. Just moments earlier, the sky was dull and lifeless, and, now, only moments later, it had exploded with color! (I’ve learned that some of the very best sunsets here in the Northeast are often right after you think the show is all over! Lol.) I just love how the setting sun’s light rays danced and played on the frozen surface of the lake that evening, reflecting their fiery color in the swirling patterns of ice. When I read the line, “The fire of the frost,” in this essay by Burroughs, I knew it was perfect quote for this photo!
Enjoy ♥
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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Simplicity Is The Ultimate Sophistication
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
―Leonardo da Vinci
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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Within You There is a Stillness and Sanctuary
“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time.”
― Hermann Hesse
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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Home Is Where The Heart Is
“Home Is Where the Heart Is.”
―Gaius Plinius Secundus
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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Happy Thanksgiving!
“All which we behold is full of blessings.”
―William Wordsworth
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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Energy Flows Where Thoughts Go
“Energy Flows Where Thoughts Go”
―Unknown
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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As You Think, So Shall You Be
“As you think, so shall you be.”
―Wayne Dyer
~Valerie Rickel, Founder of SoulfulLiving.com
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