Inspiration Photo Friday: Keeping Cool

02 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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cool, fall, garden, gardening, growth, happiness, home sweet home, life, love, nature, plants, positivity, summer, weather

This past week or so has been super nice around Long Island. Even though its late summer, there has been a break in the hot weather and keeping cool has been much easier. I am loving it. Especially, since I am not a fan of the warmer season. And its interesting because my home, as well as Dan and myself, have been undergoing a change as well. Not to mention, friends and family around us. It’s like the weather helped guide us all to something new or different.

Being able to have all the windows open in our home, instantly changes how it feels in here. Letting the fresh air in, as well as the sweet sounds of birds chirping, helps me to relax and feel more at peace. If there is a way I can let nature in, I take it. Just thinking about fall and how close it is, makes me so happy. So all this cool weather has been holding me over till September rolls around. I can’t wait.

The photo below was taken this morning. It’s of various plants and herbs we planted in our patio garden box. It’s amazing to see how everything has grown since we put them in the ground, it truly fascinates me. All the little bugs that call this garden home have a safe place to be and each plant gets to thrive to its fullest potential. I am sure they have been loving this cooler weather as well.

I feel your surroundings have a major impact on how you feel and live your life. During the summer, my husband and I feel a little trapped because we don’t like the heat. Whereas fall brings a whole new world. The fact that we’ve been keeping cool much more lately, allows us to have a more positive outlook and enjoy our surroundings a lot more. To feel happy within ourselves and to see the world around us grow and evolve, makes all the difference.

picstitch

Inspiration Photo Friday: Time

26 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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babies, birthday, family, growth, kids, life, time

Today is my best friend’s daughters birthday and I can’t believe she is already 9 years old. I remember the day Leona Faye was born, I was there at the hospital and was so excited to see the new arrival. She was adorable. I loved babysitting her and spending time together and of course buying her the cutest clothes and most awesome toys and books. It has so be so cool to see her grow up.

You know, its times like this you truly realize how time goes by so fast. To watch babies grow into children and then into tiny adults, its crazy. It’s the same with my cousins. I am the oldest in the family and was the first born, so I was able to see them all grow up right in front of me. And today, Diana is married and expecting her first child, Alexandra has graduated college and is now working in her field, Nicky is working and enjoying life, and Jonathan is pre-med and almost done with school. Crazy!

It just goes to show you that we can only take one day at a time and appreciate what life brings our way. There is no reason to rush or grow up too fast, time already does that for us. We just need to pace ourselves and enjoy every minute. Because before we know it, we have years to look back on and tons of memories to remember.

I took this photo before Lee turned 1 years old. She was so tiny and precious. Now she’s a 9 years old ready to take on the world. Where does the time go. Happy Birthday Leona!!

Inspiration Photo Friday: Time - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Inspiration Photo Friday: Birthday Love

19 Friday Jul 2013

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best friend, birthday, celebrate, celebration, friends, getting old, life, love, youth

So, my 33rd year is coming to an end and soon I will be 34. Tuesday is my birthday and I am excited to celebrate this weekend with my best friend Meg and her daughter Leona Faye, as well as with my husband Dan. The girls arrive this evening from Jersey and I can’t wait. It really sucks not being able to see your bff as much as you would like to. Every couple of months she visits, even though Jersey is right next door. With her being a busy Mom and life keeping me busy as well, its just hard to get together more often.

I plan to relax with my girls and have a nice weekend together. On my actual birthday, Dan and I just plan to have an early dinner. Nothing crazy. It’s funny how time really flies by. As the years pass, I am even more thankful for the things I have and the people in my life that I love. And even though there always seems to be something that stresses me out or tries to bring me down, I rise above and make the best out of what is given to me. I am very excited to see what this next year holds.

I thought it would be appropriate to share a photo of myself on my 1st birthday. It was taken by my mother in Brooklyn, at my Uncle’s house. This is seriously one of my all time favorite photos of me of when I was a kid. And believe me, there are tons. All my mom and dad did was take pictures of me. It was a hot summer day and I was surely baring it all to stay cool. Regardless of the weather, I had my party hat on and was ready to go.

The next few days are a countdown to 34 years on this Earth. It’s great to see me at 1 and realize all I have accomplished and experienced up until now. To think I am still moving forward, beep beeping my way through life, truly makes me smile. Happy Birthday to me!

Inspiration Photo Friday: Birthday Love

Inspiration Photo Friday: Seek and Discover

12 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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beauty, challenge, change, determination, discover, earth, evolution, growth, intense, life, nature, patience, pear tree, seek, strength, thoughts

Throughout my life, I’ve had to reinvent myself many times in order to adapt to change. We all do. I don’t mean become a different person, I just mean evolving and growing at a faster pace. Some people have a hard time doing that but I just never had a choice, so I got used to it. You really learn a lot about yourself when life is a constant challenge. I always felt it was healthy to seek out the “new” within you because you never know what you will discover.

I took this photo the other day in our backyard. We have two cherry trees which always bloom in the spring and grow the cutest plump cherries in the summer. I love watching the process. We also have a small pear tree not too far from them, but I never really pay attention to it because it just doesn’t really grow. Well, the other day I visited the tree and to my surprise there were tiny pears hanging off its branches. This really made me smile.

It’s moments like this that remind me of how life can be funny, yet intense. There are new and exciting things out there, right in front of you, that are just waiting for you to discover them. Some may be scary or sad, but it’s these things that inspire growth and change and push you to see more of you are, as well as who you can be. Some may even remind you of who you once were.

Today, I still encounter challenges on a daily basis. They keep my thoughts flowing and my determination to move forward, right on the surface. The strength and patience I have gained throughout the years surely make a big difference in my battles as well. This all makes up “me”. And because of all the times I had to seek within myself to persevere, I have discovered there is an endless amount of beauty that will always remain. No one can destroy it or take it away because it’s all mine. And I promise myself to let it shine every new day I have on this Earth. Okay “life”, bring it on. I’m ready for your next journey.