Be content

“Not every lake dreams to be an ocean. Blessed are the ones who are happy with whom they are.”
 ― Mehmet Murat ildan

I like this quote because while ambition is useful, it is not the source of happiness. If you don't have peace and contentedness in your heart now, you will not have it when you have more riches or a spouse or children, etc.  

Photo: Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, MN, USA. Summer, 2013

spices from a million flowers

“Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don't they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.” ― Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine

Bumblebee on goldenrod, taken in Minnesota, 2008

What to do with the time

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Photo: Coneflowers by Peavey Fountain, Minneapolis, MN

Perseverance

“With ordinary talents and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.” -Sir Thomas Buxton
I took this photo from a sidewalk on a hill. The parking lot adjacent to it ends up being a foot or so below eye level and one can see many things which usually go unnoticed. Like these weeds that have rooted themselves in cement surrounding a median spike. I love how nature does that. It clings tight in unlikely places and flourishes. That's not always so easy as a human. So I'll take examples on how to do it anywhere I see them.

Transformation

Non sum qualis eram; I am not what I used to be.