Ann Marquette

Gratitude, Attitude, and Joy … February 22, 2012

Ann Marquette — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:37:52 +0000

Valentine Flowers from my brother photo by Ann Marquette

I am grateful for my brother in my life, and it was so sweet of him to get me flowers for Valentine’s Day last week. His thoughtfulness brought a smile to my heart and joy to my spirit.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first of 40 days of Lent. To think about the purpose of this time and where it takes us is a reminder that Jesus died willingly to save us. I am so thankful for his personal sacrifice for us, and I will continue to strive to become a better, kinder, more loving person.

Today was a lovely, quiet, peaceful, and prayerful day. My gratitude for all the many blessings in my life could never be big enough, but I try. I am especially grateful and joyful for all the wonderful people who have been in my life, those currently in my life, and all those yet to come in and sit awhile…or stay forever.

Blessings to all of you. May you enjoy the photos of the flowers my brother gave me.

Flowers from my brother photo by Ann Marquette

Gratitude, Attitude, and Joy … February 21, 2012

Ann Marquette — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:10:48 +0000

It has been awhile…

Much has been going on, including family house sold and closed last week…yippee! Another chapter of life closed, and I am ready for a new one.

The best part of last week was spending some good quality time with my brother, who I love very much. On Friday we took a trip to Rockford, MI to see a cousin who mother cared about and wanted her to have a little something from her Trust. We took her to lunch and presented her with the surprise. That was fun for me and my brother.

After spending a little time walking around the quaint shops with our cousin, in the snow, we headed back in order to stop about half way to meet up with other cousins and one remaining aunt (92 years old) at a restaurant for dinner. On the way there the snow had made the ground (not highway) and trees look like a winter wonderland. On both sides of the highway it was mostly farmland with open land in between tree lines. We happened to look to the right and experienced an amazing site…a herd of deer running from one tree line to the next; about 25-30 deer. And immediately following was another herd; at least 50 in all. It was a beautiful sight.

I am still catching up on emails, and lots of blogs to read. So for now I will just share these photos of the house in Michigan. The big pine tree we got many years ago when it was just a couple feet tall; and my brother is over 6 feet tall, so compare him to the size of the tree now!

We…me and my brother, are so grateful for the sale of mother’s house, the good time spent together, and chance to see a few of our relatives. Certainly joy to our hearts.

But…I really miss him. I wish we didn’t live so far apart.

Big Tree photo by Ann Marquette

Garage photo by Ann Marquette

Front of house photo by Ann Marquette

Be good to yourself, be grateful and joyful

Ann Marquette — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:17:55 +0000

: White Flower (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Life is not always perfect, but I find moments of joy in being kind to me. Time to refresh myself in order to give to others.

Taking time to just sit and be quietly happy within, to work on my writing, listen to beautiful music or read is wonderful. Sometimes I treat myself to some flowers for the house.

I also remember how grateful I am for so many blessings. The most precious blessings are the people in my life, even those who come through for only a short while.

It is a beautiful new year, with each day to be grateful and joyful.

Just Know

Ann Marquette — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:33:49 +0000

Vision of the senses

The soul senses something coming
The spirit feels it is wonderful
The mind sees signs of change
They don’t know what
Or how
Or when
They just KNOW…

We know
We rejoice in anticipation
We are at peace
The soul becomes still
The spirit quietly waits
The mind is at rest
We just KNOW…

Grateful for Quiet Time for reflection

Ann Marquette — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:17:00 +0000

February is usually a month of the year that I have had bad things happen to me personally. So, I have learned to make it a special time for me, to be especially grateful for the only true love, unconditional love in my life…God, my heavenly Father. He is the only one I can count on to be there every time I am in need of anything.

It is a good time for me to reflect, pray, meditate; and ask God to show me how I can be a better person and walk the path He wants for me.

For anyone who reads my posts on a pretty regular basis, I may not be posting much this month.

I wish you all a very happy and blessed February.

Joy in The Most Important…

Ann Marquette — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:41:40 +0000

Love and Gratitude are the most important things.
It is important to open our hearts to loving everyone. We don’t have to like the way they are, but our hearts need to love anyway.

Gratitude for even the smallest things reminds us of the positive in our lives.

Just a Dream…grateful for it and joy in the writing

Ann Marquette — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:28:14 +0000

Today … sharing this poem I wrote in 2004.

________________________________________

JUST A DREAM

Were you real, or
Just a dream…
One moment in time…
Only my imagination…

Suddenly you were here
alive and real, almost
then just as suddenly
you are gone

There was…
for a moment in time
something very special
something beyond description
between you and me,
then you are gone

We were so very connected
so much one spirit
so creatively of one mind
the feeling was so strong
or was it…

Just a dream…
One moment in time…
Only my imagination…

News…My GBA

Ann Marquette — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:01:43 +0000

I am grateful to Julie Catherine of http://juliecatherinevigna.wordpress.com for presenting me with the Genuine Blogger Award on January 19th. She is an amazing, gifted writer and I suggest you check out her blog and follow her.

Thank you Julie Catherine for this wonderful award. I truly appreciate your kindness.

Gratitude, Attitude, and Joy … January 24, 2012

Ann Marquette — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:23:33 +0000

I think I need to change this year’s topic from Gratitude, Attitude, and Joy ~ to ~ GRATITUDE, JOY, AND ATTITUDE. I realize that when I am grateful and joyful, my attitude is so positive.

Yes it is seven days since last I wrote…shame on me J To my defense; I was away for a few days…in the place of my special JOY.

Reedy River Water Fall - Autumn 2011 by Ann Marquette

I was in Greenville, SC where I attended a TEDxGreenville Salon (a monthly meeting). The topic of this one was…

“The Wisdom of Youth”

Details: Who says our youth aren’t ready to take on the challenges and seize the opportunities of the 21st century? Come meet and learn from a roomful of “HeadStrong” 18-and-unders here in Greenville whose ideas and actions are already shaping our community and our world.

After listening to the teens that night I was filled with gratitude and joy for their bravery in stepping out of their box and walking into the path of their dreams…taking actions to make them happen. They improved my attitude about teens and I feel very proud of them. Thanks Ben Riddle for being a leader with your peers. Great job, all of you.

The rest of my time in Greenville on this occasion was meeting up with friends, including meeting 2 of them face to face for the first time. What a delight. It seems each time I am there, my schedule gets busier, more like I am already living there.

Not only is Greenville HOME to me, but when there, I and filled with peace, energy, inspiration, motivation and a sense of endless possibilities. I am grateful and joyful for God guiding me to this place where all these feelings/sensations improve my attitude to a much higher space.

2012 Goals to a New and Better Year (amarquette333.wordpress.com)
Great weekend in Greenville, SC at Fall For Greenville Festival (amarquette333.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Opportunity (amarquette333.wordpress.com)
What does “Home” mean to you? (amarquette333.wordpress.com)
Clemson Cutie at Greenville festival (amarquette333.wordpress.com)

More Gratitude and Joy…January 17, 2012

Ann Marquette — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:08:38 +0000

Such a perfect post today from Zen Habits: Learning to sit Alone, in a Quiet Empty Room. I have been working on this myself in the mornings. My room may not be empty, but it is quiet and I don’t even turn on the computer until after my quiet coffee time with God. My day truly does turn out better.

Do check out Zen Habits post http://zenhabits.net/alone/

I am grateful for this post, for my quiet times and the joy of better days.

Gratitude, Attitude, and Joy … January 8, 2012 (amarquette333.wordpress.com)
Gratitude, Attitude, and Joy … January 13, 2012 (amarquette333.wordpress.com)