Optimistic About the Future

 

In these tumultuous times, we need to be, more than ever, optimistic about the future.

We need to be and stay positive; we need to look at what's good in life.

When I look around where I live, I see entrepreneurs opening businesses, like the new milkshake and baked goods shop in Abingdon, Virginia, named Shaked!

Love the Logo!

Love the Ice Cream, Too!

FYI-Shaked!, 284 W. Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia

Also in Abingdon, a new convenience store, Royal Farms, is now being built.

A couple of days ago, Greg and I visited Warriors Path State Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. While there, we saw the newly renovated marina with a new restaurant and upgraded boat docks. Lots of other people were also there. They seemed happy, enjoying the warm weather.

Greg on the Deck of the Marina

While there, we took a stroll around the park,

"And what is so rare as a day in June?"-James Russell Lowell

and we were lucky enough to see this deer-

that didn't seem to mind that people were around.

Last month, for the first time, we visited Grayson Highlands State Park, about an hour's drive from our house in Southwest Virginia.

The altitude is so high there that most of the leaves were not out yet, but it was still very picturesque-

Black bears and even wild ponies reside there. 

The world is so beautiful. We just need to take time and enjoy it, by ourselves and/or with the people we love.

Also, when you look for the good, you are bound to find it.

I'm optimistic about people because, for the most part, they know what's really going on.

I was recently in a beauty shop, and the people there were discussing current events, and they seemed really savvy about things.

"...know the truth, and the truth will set you free."-John 8:32

"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time."-Abraham Lincoln 

Many people are attending church or watching services on television or on the Internet, and they know the power of prayer.

I just like to always remember that love overcomes hate, light overcomes darkness, and that positive is more powerful than negative.

We are truly in a spiritual battle of good versus evil for our souls and for the soul of our nation and even for the soul of the world, but we are winning. 

Good always wins!

Thankfully, we have a bright future ahead of us. We just need to keep the faith!

Positive thought: "The greatest power that God has given to any individual is the power of prayer."-Kathryn Kuhlman

Thanks for visiting! Until Saturday, July 1, 2023, Becky

 

The Healing Power of Nature, Etc.

Welcome!

Greg and I have really been enjoying the summer, especially the parks.  We seem to be the happiest when we're close to nature.

As you may know, as I mentioned on my last blog post (August 9, 2015),  my mother passed away just recently, and being out in nature seems to have helped me the most to heal emotionally.

There are some beautiful parks in Tennessee.  If you haven't tried them yet, it's still not too late this year.  And, the colorful fall leaves will be here before you know it!  (If you can't come to Tennessee, every state has nice parks, city, state, and national ones, that you might want to check out.)

One park we really liked was beautiful Burgess Falls in Middle Tennessee.  Actually, there are four waterfalls at Burgess Falls!

 

Greg, at Burgess Falls

Reelfoot Lake in West Tennessee is also very scenic.  It's Tennessee's largest natural lake.  We really enjoyed our boat ride when we went a couple of years ago.

Sight-seeing Boat at Reelfoot Lake

Of course, in East Tennessee, we also have favorite parks-

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park has a reconstruction of Fort Watauga.

Becky, at Fort Watauga

At Warrior's Path State Park (not pictured), Greg and I always enjoy walking and riding the paddle boats.

All of the above parks are a photographer's dream.

Other types of healing for me were:

-The "365 Promises" which my thoughtful, supportive friend from Tennessee has been forwarding to me daily.  Not only do the "Promises" have healing scriptures, but beautiful photographs of nature, as well.

-Aromatherapy, which I researched online, was good for me.

-Youtube has some beautiful healing music such as harp music which someone suggested that  I try.

-Talking and/or emailing with a trusted person or counselor can also be helpful.

People, as a rule, seem to be happier when closer to nature.  It's easy to forget about that in our busy, hectic lives with all of our electronic devices, but it's never too late to turn all of that around and discover (or rediscover) the healing power that nature can have for all of us in this big wonderful natural world, just waiting to be explored.

Positive thought: "Walk in sunshine."  (From an episode of the old "Bonanza" TV show.)
Thanks for visiting!  Until Sunday, October 4, 2015 (or sooner!), Becky