Inspiration Photo Friday: Reminiscing

20 Friday Sep 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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beach, beauty, canada, cavendish, earth, experience, honeymoon, infinite, island, life, memories, nature, ocean, pie national park, prince edward island, reminiscing, travel, trip, vacation

Last year today, my husband and I were packing and getting ready for our honeymoon trip to Prince Edward Island in Canada. Although we got married that past May, we both love traveling in the fall. It was a busy weekend because my cousin Diana was getting married that Saturday, but we took it easy and tried to get sleep for our long trip the next morning. It was surely a vacation I will never forget.

I can’t believe a year has past already. Time goes by so fast, sometimes we let life distract us from the good times in our lives. Reminiscing positive memories not only brings us happiness but it reminds us how awesome our lives really are. I can vividly remember how beautiful Prince Edward Island was. The cool, fresh breeze against my face, the endless ocean that surrounded us, and the many fields of green we encountered on every drive. Not to mention, all the lovely farm animals that greeted us during our stay. It truly is a picturesque place.

I hope to visit Prince Edward Island again someday and make sure we stay longer. There is just so much to see. It’s one of the only places I felt like I was in a perfect world. It really is a captivating island and I am extremely lucky to have experienced it with my husband.

I took this photo while we were in Cavendish at the National Park. The time we spent at this location truly fascinated me. Standing at the tip of the Earth with Dan, as husband and wife, looking out into the never ending ocean was a memory I will never forget. At that moment, anything was possible. I felt infinite and hopeful because there was so much beauty surrounding me. When something can make you feel like that, it surely is worth reminiscing about.

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

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.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Seek and Discover - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Inspiration Photo Friday: The Little Things

05 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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antique, appreciation, beauty, blue, energy, happiness, home, life, little things, love, nature, plant, positive, trees, vintage, window, world

Whenever times are a little rough in my life or I am slightly down, I just try to think about the little things that make me happy. Sometimes it’s the little things that matter most, you know. This concept can work pretty much in every situation. Just focus and try to not let whatever is upsetting you bring your energy to a low place.

Even when you are happy, its always good to take a look at the little things in your life you truly appreciate. Walk around your home and notice the small details that make you smile. Take a look at your partner and recognize those little mannerisms that you fell in love with. Step outside and see how beautiful the world can be, even its just the tiniest flower found in your path. There will always be something ready to share its inner beauty, if only you stop and looked.

I took this photo yesterday, while I was feeling a little down. It was after I has rested in our room with the dogs for awhile to relax and clear my mind. This little area of our stairwell always makes me smile. Throughout the day, the light finds a way to shine just perfect and the stillness you feel coming up and down the stairs is so peaceful. It’s one of my favorite spots in our home.

It’s the little things like this, I really love. That old window has been a part of this house since the beginning. To think we get to appreciate how pretty it is, after all these years, is something really special. Every minute it shares its beauty, and I simply take it in.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Blooming Beauties

21 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors

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beauty, bloom, flowers, garden, life, nature, patience, plants, stress, summer

My husband and I have been so busy with home projects and family gatherings that we haven’t been able to actually sit back and enjoy summer yet. Thankfully, our list of things to do is almost done! This is our second summer in the house and it’s really not until now that we are seeing some of the most beautiful things bloom on our property. It’s such an inspiration to see nature at its best, thats for sure.

Our garden is doing well. It’s wild and free and showing its true beauty through various plantings from the past. Our hydrangea bush is finally blooming and even the peonies I planted last year are saying hello. Clover accents the space and the pink roses bring color, while my Grandmother’s hosta is growing at a spectacular rate. And it was nice to see the group of iris’ from the previous owners bloom as well. Didn’t get to see them last year.

The photo below is one I took of the left side of the garden, where our back fence begins. Last year, I intertwined our other rose bush with the fence so it would have a natural stake and spread out. What a beauty is has become. I imagine that whole side of the fence being covered one day. How pretty would that be? It really made me smile to see it all coming together.

All our blooming beauties have shown me that sometimes, time can only tell. Waiting for things to happen in your life is never fun and I highly support going for what you want. However, there are times when you just have to allow nature to take its course and try to enjoy the ride. Patience is not only a virtue, its a gift. Personally, it’s the one thing that has helped me get through a lot in these past few years, in every aspect of my life. Rushing into something, whether big or small, just isn’t worth the stress. Sit back and relax, because everyone’s time will come.