Lift Helps People Form Habits and Help Each Other

White Ceramic Birds: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

About 25 days ago I joined Lift and I've been enjoying it ever since. Lift's tagline is "Build better habits. Change your life" and the site's (I use the web-based version) community spirit is really great. You pick your habits (I'd personally recommend not adding more than 3 new habits so you boost your chances of success and after those are established just one ore two at a time to keep the success flowing), check in daily and offer "props" to others who complete their habits. Offering props is as easy as clicking "like" on Facebook. 

Lift is free and it's fun. I joined as "Cat Wheeler" (Cat's my favorite nickname and you're welcome to call me Cat too) and am currently tracking the following habits on Lift:

• Do a good deed
• Exercise
• Goal reading (I created this habit and am the only one doing it at the moment)
• Sing
• Unclutter 
• Write
• Set priorities for your day
• In bed by 11 pm

These weren't all "new" habits but some weren't getting done every single day. Having that extra accountability has truly helped turn them into daily habits. Of course, I have other daily habits (like prayer, Bible study etc.) but as they're well established I didn't add them.

If you join Lift please be sure to say hello and I'll gladly give you props for your healthy habits. 

May God bless and keep you!

Disclaimer: This post is my own personal opinion and I wasn't asked or paid to write it.

Lotus Flower Photos & Haiku Poem

Lotus in the sky: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

This weekend I enjoyed a walk through the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens with my beloved husband. The lotuses have started blooming and they are beautiful.  I love how as spring turns into summer each week brings new blooms to enjoy. God's creation is amazing!

Angled Lotus Flower Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

Here's the lotus haiku I promised in the title:

 Lotus Haiku

A swampy marsh sounds

boring but it's teeming with

big pink lotus blooms.

 

Young Lotus Flower: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

It seems that the flowers have the most pink just before they open. For some reason blogger isn't letting me add any regular text below the next picture so I'll close things out here. It was a blessing to enjoy the lotus blooms. I hope you enjoy my photos. May God bless you and keep you!

Related Posts:
Previous Kenilworth photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/05/kenilworth-park-aquatic-gardens-photos.html
Kenilworth Flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/05/flowers-at-kenilworth-aquatic-gardens.html
Goose Family: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/05/goose-family-photographs.html

Lotus Field Overview: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

 

 

Supermoon Weekend

This weekend offers a rare supermoon sighting and is expected to be the largest full moon of the year. Last night I took the photo above (you can see how bright the supermoon is in this shot) and my husband took the photo below (you can see wonderful detail of the supermoon in this shot). It's such a blessing to enjoy God's amazing creation!

Thanks to Ben (my beloved husband) for letting me share his photo with you (especially since it's so much better than mine). May God bless him and may He bless you too!

Related posts:
Jug Bay (with daytime moon) photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/01/jug-bay-wetland-photos.html
Sunset / Moonrise photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2011/12/last-sunset-of-2011.html
Nature photo: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2011/12/bless-your-day-with-walk.html

Anti Procrastination Haiku (Short Poem)

Mary's "Buttercups": Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

Happy June! I enjoyed my "write something every day" challenge in May so I've decided to continue the practice as an ongoing daily habit. I'm also still working on decluttering my home (clutter could be considered a form of procrastination).

Anti-Procrastination Haiku

Don't procrastinate

Do it or decide not to.

Breathe deeply and act.

If I weren't limited to seven syllables in the second line (haikus traditionally have 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second and 5 in the third/last line) I'd have made it read "do it, schedule it, or let it go" but this shorter version works too. 

May you have a beautiful and procrastination-free day and may the God of all peace be with you!

Azaleas of Old Japan: Satsuki Bonsai Exhibit at the National Bonsai & Penjing Musem

Bonsai Azaleas of Old Japan 1: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

Today my husband and I enjoyed viewing the 2013 Satsuki Bonsai Exhibit featuring azaleas of old Japan. The exhibit ends tomorrow (June 2) so if you love bonsai or azaleas it might be worth a trip the the National Arboretum tomorrow (the National Arboretum houses the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, which is near the recently remodeled visitor's center).

Bonsai Azaleas of Old Japan 2: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

I enjoyed the variety of azalea bonsai specimens on display as well as the unique stands and bonsai dishes that enhanced the presentation.

Bonsai Azaleas of Old Japan 3: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

 It's amazing how long some of these beautiful azalea bonsai plants have been in training.

Bonsai Azaleas of Old Japan 4: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2013

 Here's an overview of a little more than half of the display.

Bonsai Azaleas of Old Japan 5: Copyright © by Ben Wheeler, June 2013

And last but certainly not least is a photo my dear husband allowed me to share with you. I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of the bonsai exhibit. Which was your favorite photo? Have you ever seen azalea bonsai in person?

May God bless and keep you, dear friend!