The marshes of Annapolis

I took this photo driving home from the supermarket today, one day after a snowstorm in which a predicted "dusting" turned into 6 inches of white stuff. Most roads are ok now, though I did slide a bit off the shoulder when I pulled over to take this picture. I just love the way sunlight glints off marsh grass.

Even the most beautiful days eventually have their sunsets

“I didn't ask for it to be over, but then again, I never asked for it to begin. For that's the way it is with life, as some of the most beautiful days come completely by chance. But even the most beautiful days eventually have their sunsets.” -Unknown

When we give away the thing we want most, we heal.

by Klodiana Alia -- click to view original on Flickr.

"…when we give in the world what we want the most, we heal the broken part inside each of us…. happiness exists in action; it exists in telling the truth and saying what your truth is; and it exists in giving away what you want the most." http://www.ted.com/talks/eve_ensler_on_happiness_in_body_and_soul.html

One of two things precedes forgiveness

by CubaGallery on Flickr (click to view original)

"One of two things typically precedes forgiveness: the transgressor’s expression of remorse, or the victim’s embrace of life after damage. The first is self-explanatory, and the direct path to forgiveness: “I believe she’d undo this if she could, and we’re all capable of doing things we regret. The second path is for when the apology doesn’t come and you’re left to your own forgiveness devices. For this, people usually need to feel they gained something — anything — from what happened...."  Carolyn Hax (click to view full advice column)

quotes on forgiveness

“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” ~Leo F. Buscaglia

"The art of being yourself at your best is the art of unfolding your personality into the man you want to be . . . Be gentle with yourself, learn to love yourself, to forgive yourself, for only as we have the right attitude toward ourselves can we have the right attitude toward others." ~Wilfred Peterson

“We seem to gain wisdom more readily through our failures than through our successes. We always think of failure as the antithesis of success, but it isn't. Success often lies just the other side of failure.” ~Leo F. Buscaglia

"Having looked the past in the eye, having asked for forgiveness and having made amends, let us shut the door on the past – not in order to forget it but in order not to allow it to imprison us." ~Desmond Tutu

"Forgiveness is not an emotion, it's a decision." ~Randall Worley

"When guilt rears its ugly head confront it, discuss it and let it go. The past is over. It is time to ask what can we do right, not what did we do wrong. Forgive yourself and move on. Have the courage to reach out for help." ~Bernie S. Siegel, MD

"Life is an adventure in forgiveness." ~Norman Cousins

"Not to forgive imprisons you in the past and locks out all potential for change." ~Rabbi Robert Lennick

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." ~Lewis B. Smedes

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." ~Mohandas Gandhi