The Purpose of Life & How to achieve Happiness for Scenic Spiritual Sunday

 A MY QUALITY TIME ::SCENIC::SPIRITUAL SUNDAY POST

The purpose of life: For me the purpose of life is to be happy.

How to achieve happiness: For me the journey from selfish to selfless is the road I trudge in seeking happiness.

I have found; the more I care for the happiness of others, the greater my own sense of well-being. Very simply a  matter of perspective.

As I see it, happiness depends upon two specific criteria: 1. The Physical ( a healthy body ) and  2. Mental (attitude)….. Unless I have a physical ailment I often don’t even think about my “body” but my mind on the other hand registers everything. So, I devote more time and effort developing a “peaceful” mind.

Three traits to cultivate: LOVE, COMPASSION,and HUMILITY.

No man is an island (apology to Paul Simon) love lies at the very foundation of human existence.

Strive for COMPASSION based on reason instead of an emotional response.

I know how to be arrogant,boastful,and vain. I’ve had years of practice. Humility is just the opposite. One gains HUMILITY by being selfless instead of selfish. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

  
I was extremely ambitious and full of anger because my ambitions were not being met. I had the diseases  of “MORE” and “SELF”.

Today I define ambition as “The deep desire to live a useful life and walk humbly under the Grace of God.” ( as you may understand him) A life changing definition, at least for me.

What can be done about anger and resentments? Anger is merely a secondary emotion based on FEAR and a resentment is merely a re-feeling of the anger, but I know them well.

As I trudge the road of happy destiny I have found some tools to help me deal with anger. 1. The Prayer of Saint Francis specifically the first two lines;

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love”  If I repeat those two lines a few times any anger seems to melt away. 2. The well known Serenity Prayer:

“God,

Grant me the serenity;

To accept the things I cannot change;

The courage, to change the things I can;

And the wisdom, to know the difference.“ ( I NEED ALL THE WISDOM I CAN GET)

“Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as a pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

As it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His Will;

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him

Forever and ever in the next.”::::::::::::::In my life the greatest “growth” as a human being has occurred during times that were excruciatingly difficult.

I usually try to start and end each day with two prayers. 1. “Lord relieve me of the bondage of self so I may better do thy will.”

2. The Lords Prayer and how does it start “Our Father” which reminds me we are all brothers and sisters. (easy to forget sometimes)

Click on the above logos to visit some great blogs with great scenes and spiritual messages. The above photos were taken at Seneca Lake in Ohio.

A little different kind of post for me. I hope you enjoyed the post and I appreciate you stopping by.

 

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Remember; we are forgiven by forgiving others

Today’s special link CLICK and for a different point of view Snowbrush has written several thought provoking posts 

 

 

Skies over Seneca Lake for SkyWatch Friday

 

A couple quick photos for SkyWatch Friday. Linda and I just got back from Seneca Lake which is part of the Muskingum Watershed in Ohio..

This photo was taken from our dock early in the morning as the sun tried to show it’s face above the horizon and through the mist.

This photo was taken the same day late in the afternoon. I really love the blue. The photo is right out of the camera. Once winter gets here the skies will be back to gray LOL

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to explore some great skies from around the world at SkyWatch Friday

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1797 Camp AT Conkle’s Hollow in the Hocking Hills

1797 CAMP,CONKLE’S HOLLOW,HOCKING HILLS. THIS IS A GET OUT AND ENJOY NATURE POST.

Conkle’s Hollow:Local Directions
Approximately 12 miles south of Logan on State Rte 664, 1 mile north on State Rte 374, and .25 mile east on Big Pine Rd to the signed entrance.The weekend of Oct. 16th and 17th 2010 pretty busy with great colors,weather and a reenactors encampment.

Let’s take a closer look at he Dutch Oven

 Wonder what’s cooking

 Now I’m really hungry. The pie cooked for about 20 minutes in the Dutch Oven with coals on bottom and top. Now for some beef Jerky

I wonder where Linda went? Gotta keep my eye on her.

We haven’t even been hiking yet but we are having great fun. Did you know Conkle’s hollow Gorge trail is a 1-mile handicapped-accessible trail. (pretty neat)

Spectacular sandstone gorge with excellent vistas, spring wildflowers and fern communities.

Take a look at the ferns:

Where did all this sandstone come from?

“About 350 million years ago, this portion of Ohio lay under the waters of a vast inland ocean. Rivers flowing into this ancient sea carried coarse and fine grained sands, depositing them in large wide deltas much like the present day delta at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Over millions of years, these sand deltas were buried by finer textured silt and clay sediments. Eventually these sedimentary deposits were compressed to form a thick hard layer of sandy textured rock, now referred to as Black Hand sandstone.” READ MORE

“The deep, cool gorge, which is only 100 feet wide in places and is considered by some to be the deepest in Ohio, has numerous waterfalls cascading over its sandstone cliffs.” No waterfalls today just been to dry.

I you would like to see what the Hollow looks like in the winter with those frozen waterfalls CLICK

 Thanks for stopping by. Linda and I are getting ready to take the boat out for a couple days. We are heading to” Seneca Lake which is in eastern Ohio, mostly in Noble County, with a small northern portion in Guernsey County.” This post only shows a small portion of the gorge trail. The Rim trail is spectacular. My back has been acting up a little so we took it a little easy this trip.

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In The Woods at Clear Creek Metro Park for SkyWatch

MY QUALITY TIME NEAR LANCASTER,OHIO. LOVE THE HOCKING HILLS OF SOUTH EAST OHIO

     Today’s SKYWATCH is brought to you by the color BLUE.. Yesterday, I made a short road trip to Clear Creek Metro Park and the Thomas Cabin about twenty minutes S.E. of Lancaster,Ohio. The weather was great and for the most part the sky was a wonderful BLUE. Blue is calming. It can be strong and steadfast or light and friendly. Almost everyone likes some shade of the color blue.

  Country Magazine says, "Words to Live By: If your train of thought isn't getting you anywhere, you're probably on the wrong track.”

So for today I’ll change the perspective. I love to take a bag lunch to the woods lay on the ground and watch the sky/woods and listen to the silence of the woods. This is some of what I saw. 

“There's something about the woods.
All alone surrounded by God's magic.
Peace and quiet in my solitaire moods.
No worries, people or events so tragic.”

“Crisp, cool air in my lungs.
The whisper of forest breeze.
A break from climbing life's rungs.
A special time on my memory to freeze.”

“A paradise of contentment,
to restore my soul’s energy.
No worry about advancement.
Basking in nature's sweet synergy. “

“No more of life's fast frame.
Back in control of my time.
Each day not more of the same.
Money no issue I don't need a dime.”

“There's something about the woods.
Only here can real peace be found.
Not a crowded neighborhood,
where all is one busy loud sound.”

“Nothing can compare to star lit canopy.
A hot steaming cup of campers tea.
The preservation of my sanity.
I escape from life's endless sea.”

Thanks to Larry Matthews for these fine words

Joe Todd reporting from the Thomas Cabin at Clear Creek Metro Park.. To explore beautiful skies from around the world make sure to visit:

 

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The first two photos were taken by my wonderful wife Linda.. Thank you.

Gilmore Farm A Freedman’s Home

If you would be in Charlottesville and/or visiting Montpelier make sure to check out the Gilmore Farm

“The historic Gilmore Farm. This parcel is the site of the restored home of George Gilmore, a former slave at Montpelier who lived there with his wife Polly and their family. A large Civil War Encampment site, immediately adjacent to the Gilmore Farm, was occupied during the winter of 1863-1864 by troops from Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, before they fought at the Battle of the Wilderness. Easements on these properties will protect these cultural assets and make them available for the public benefit” READ MORE

“In 2005 Montpelier restored the Gilmore Cabin to give visitors an opportunity to see the transition from slavery to freedom for African Americans. It stands as the only restored Freedman's home in Virginia.” READ MORE

Hugh shows us around and gives us a history lesson.

Let’s take a look upstairs in the “loft”

“In 1880, 15 years after the Civil War ended, freedman and farmer George Gilmore's personal property included one horse, two cows, four swine and various poultry. All together, his assets were worth $26.” READ MORE

Hugh said, “There are some black bears in the area.  I’m afraid one day they may show up for a pork sandwich.”

And just down the road you will find the Montpelier Train Depot ( Now a Museum ) and the subject of a future post.

 Love those road trips, and I do appreciate you stopping by.

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