It was such a treat this week to read my dear friend Nancy’s blog. Her gorgeous photos of nature, home and hearth never fail to delight – especially when a boost of loving kindness is needed.
It’s been a heavy week – one where I’ve sometimes felt incapable of articulating the helplessness I feel about the struggles in our country right now. I could say more, but if you know me…you know me…what I’m feeling and thinking.
But there are bright spots and two arrived in tandem, reminding me to keep my peepers open to catch the glimpses of goodness. They’re around…like those in Nancy’s blog and her photos of the gorgeous “snow moon”.
I did a double…and then a triple take.
Nancy’s pics looked so much like my pics…I was dumbfounded. Until I realized, no matter what’s going on, leaning into near ones and dear ones is a great self-care strategy…moonlit message style.
Here are the two pics I took. Now hop over to see the uncanny similarity to Nancy’s photos (they appear toward the end of her post).
The morning I marveled at our moonlit pics, I found a memento – a sweet paperweight long forgotten – in a box of items I’d saved from my higher ed career:
When colleagues give you a going away gift and repeat a well-loved phrase back to you, it’s a moment.
For years I lived and worked by a motto instilled in me by my dad – “Always leave things better than you found them…”.
It was his empowerment focus. Leaders, he’d say, never know what they might encounter and although some obstacles may appear insurmountable, staying on task is key.
“Even when you can’t right every wrong, do your best. Leave things better than you found them.”
The paper weight was a sweet parting gift, offering an echo from my dad – a phrase I’d evidently used often without realizing it. A lovely complement to the gratitude I feel when I read Nancy’s weekly blog, always full of brightness and light. Sometimes moonlight. Reminding me we’re in this together, doing our best.
Vicki 💝
Lagniappe? P.S.? No, you’re not wrong! In last week’s post my eyes were heavenward, thinking about clouds and my dad. Stay tuned…who knows what he might stir up for next week. Whatever it is, it’ll be straight from my heart…maybe his, too. Thank you so much for being here.
Nancy’s beautiful blog: Tuesday Tidbits #361 Brrrr! Pennsylvania is Cold! – Two Trails One Road
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love.
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Victoria Ponders 
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