Thursday, January 2, 2014

A New Year Dawning



This time of year, the sunrise can be pretty spectacular. 




If you didn't make the effort to wake up extra early, you would not see the magic. 




Sometimes there are even little surprises....




Like this cloud formation that turned from pink to yellow as the sun rose. 




And then just as quickly, it all faded away....




to be slowly swallowed up by the rising mist once more. 




It is these special, fleeting moments that you have to look for. 




Those moments of magic that you would otherwise miss. 




To bring magic into your life, you must continually seek it. 

***
"The universe is full of magical things, 
patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper."
- Eden Phillpotts -

***



It is there, free for the taking. 

***
"The power of thought, the magic of mind!"
- Lord Byron -

***



***
"That's the thing with magic. 
You've got to know it's still there, all around us,
 or it just stays invisible for you."
- Charles de Lint -

***
You can create your own magic by planting a garden, 

nurturing a friendship,




or loving a child or a pet. 

***
"Cats are magical...The more you pet them the longer you both live."
- Lokiandari -

***


***
"It is the function of art to renew our perception.
 What we are familiar with we cease to see.
The writer shakes up the familiar scene,
and, as if by magic,
we see a new meaning in it."
- Anais Nin -

*** 

Magic happens when you cook a good meal to share with  loved ones, 

create a piece of art,

or read a good book. 

***
"Books are a uniquely portable magic."
- Steven King -

***


Magic is everywhere if you know where to look. 

***
"This world, after all our science and sciences, 
is still a miracle; 
wonderful, inscrutable, magical and more,
to whosoever will think of it."
- Thomas Dekker -

***

You can start by looking deep inside your heart. 

Find what makes you happy, what makes you sing. 




And share that magic with others. 

Give a compliment, a listening ear, a helping hand, a kind word of encouragement. 

Seeing the light in someone's eyes when you've lifted their spirits is a special kind of magic. 

And it's all free! 

***
"There is magic in that little world, home;
it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts 
and virtues never known
beyond its hallowed limits."
- Robert Southey -
***



So as this New Year dawns upon us, 

my wish is that we all find the magic, 

by seeking it and by creating it. 

Because magic is a funny thing - 

It's always right there in front of us....





If we believe. 

xoxo


"God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us -
 in the dreariest and most dreaded moments - 
can see a possibility of hope." 
 -  Maya Angelou -

37 comments:

  1. Simply Wonderful!

    Hugs from Spain

    Marina

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  2. What a beautiful thought! I love thinking that magic is around us and so easy to experience, your sunrise is spectacular!

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  3. Dear Karen, what a lovely, lovely post. Just what I needed to read this morning. Thanks for getting up early so you could give us this gift of magic. xxoo, m

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  4. Wow! Those are some stunning scenes!

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  5. beautiful sunrise over the mountains! I love your tea shot as well...and you cat looks so comfy in the sun.

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  6. your whole post made me smile. :) thank you, karen.

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  7. What lovely pictures and words!

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  8. What a wonderful post, Karen! Lovely words and quotes. I love watching the magic of the changing sky at sunrise and sunset. Beautiful photos!

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  9. You have such beautiful views from your place!

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  10. Beautiful words and beautiful scenery. Simply breath taking Karen x

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  11. these photos images are breathtaking and one would indeed be getting up early too when there are such beauty to behold at the start of ones day... God is our loving Heavenly Father who love us -- can't say other wise for behold the beauty around us -- Favorite images today are # 7 and 16 they captured me....
    HUgs

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  12. Such a stunning sunrise! That one cloud formation almost looks like a halo over the mountain. I used to be a night owl, but the older I get I really enjoy mornings and waking early enough to see the sunrise :)

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  13. Beautiful post, Karen...you're right...it is always around us if we are open to seeing it! Wishing you a wonderful new year!

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  14. I wish sweet magical filled moments for you in 2014!! And what beautiful sunrises to enjoy!!

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  15. You are right, the sunrise is spectacular! I am amazed at how you can take a picture of the same mountain, and yet it looks very different and incredibly beautiful every time! You are truly surrounded by loveliness and we are blessed to have you share it with us :) Happy New Year to you, sweet friend.

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  16. First,
    Happy new year mrs. Karen. I've been missing you and thinking of you.
    I always love your pictures here and the sunrise is so adorable.
    I hope you have a beautiful year and filled with mercy.
    Blessing <3

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  17. Dearest Karen,
    Your mountain view in the early hours reminds us of the many breathtaking sights we had on the Central Java, Indonesia mountains and volcanoes. But you had to be early! We woke up every day at 5:00 AM and drove up the mountains by 6:00 AM. You feel in paradise and not one day is the same from the other.
    Love the quotations you used here; from two Dutch writers even - Charles de Lint - and also Thomas Dekker no doubt had Dutch blood as his last name suggests.
    Lovely photos with great reflections on life's secrets to happiness!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  18. What a wonderful post, the early morning views from your home are spectacular, such a blessing...the quotes are perfect....A happy & blessed 2014 to you & your family Karen... Hugs May x x x

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  19. Your sunrise photos should be in National Geographic! Beautiful. You must feel so blessed to greet the day with such amazing views, Jan

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  20. A Happy New Year to you and your family Karen! That cloud above the mountains looks like a halo. So very pretty! Oh....to have a view like yours. Hurray to the internet :-)

    Happy Sunday!

    Madelief x

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  21. Lovely post, Karen! Especially for those of us who don't do mornings :)

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  22. Oh yes....God's miricales are everywhere to be found. You are so right when you say we just need to open our eyes! What a lovely post. May your 2014 be filled with God's wonder and grace. xoxxo

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  23. Fantastic post, which I will bookmark. Thank you so much! You're so right: believing is seeing. xox

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  24. The wash of light in your sunrise photos clutched at my heart. What a wonderful New Year's gift; thank you for sharing.

    Fun to see the sparrow, looks like the chipping sparrows that flock here in winter (zone 8B-9A). I was surprised to see it in your far-off cold.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kathleen! I wondered what kind of sparrow that was - thanks for sharing that! We do live in a mild climate despite being so far north and this is a zone 7. We are moderated by the Pacific and most of our climate comes via Hawaii and California. But once you get over the mountain range, it is a very different story. Thanks for stopping by today and sharing your knowledge! Hugs xo Karen

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  25. Fantastic! Once again a great series! :-)

    I hope that you'll have a great week! ;-)
    Gert Jan Hermus
    dzjiedzjee.blogspot.com

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  26. So many lovely thoughts!
    LOVE the spaceship cloud. :)
    Hope your New Year is off to a great start!

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  27. Goodness Karen!!! How on Earth did I miss this post! It has brought a smile to my face a mile long! How so very true each and every word is! I actually am going to read it again because it just moved me so much! And your photos! Holy cow! That first shot is absolutely incredible!!! I have never seen anything like that in my entire life!!! The color is out of this world!!! Have an outstanding week of miracles friend! Nicole xoxo

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  28. Hi and WOW I can't believe how beautiful that sunrise is! If I live there I would probably try and do a painting. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today and leaving that sweet comment. Wishing you a Happy New Year and enjoy all that scenery. Thanks for sharing.
    Julie

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  29. What magical photos you've shared, Karen, and beautiful quotes, too. I know the hope of the rainbow, for sure. Blessings to you, sweet friend. xo

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  30. You're right - there is magic around every corner. I see it late at night when I walk the dog under the star-spangled sky - saw it on the weekend when I rounded a corner for the clearest view of Mt Baker I've seen in a long time. We just have to be aware - and lucky enough to be there at the right moment.

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  31. I have so enjoyed reading your lovely post this morning. You got such a great capture of that lenticular cloud in the first few shots. I love seeing those around the mountains, but full of wind. Avoid those if you are flying. Love the shots from your deck of that spectacular sunrise. And your kitty is so sweet.

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  32. Magic...joy...hope! Good wishes for the new year, to seek them in every small thing...to enjoy the surprises! Love the quotes and the photos!

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  33. Beautiful photographs!
    New year greetings from Scotland!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  34. You are so fortunate to have such beautiful views! Lovely photos!

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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