~A life of Thanksgiving~

(This is not my photo, but I couldn't resist sharing, it's just too cute!)

(Photo credit: Shutterstock)

Thanksgiving is only hours away. One day in November is set aside ever year where people come together with family and friends to celebrate a day of Thanksgiving. So we only get one day of the year to be grateful? I think we should be thankful every day of the year, as we have so much to be thankful for. Instead of complaining of the things we don’t have which can make us feel worse, why not be grateful for what we do have? There are so many things to be thankful for. If you are having trouble thinking of some things to be thankful for start by looking down at your feet, are you wearing shoes? Do you have a roof over your head? Do you or your children have an education? Have you eaten recently? These are many questions that we need to think about. So many people in the world today (in all different types of weather) are going without shoes, they don’t have a roof over their head(some living in boxes if they have one), they do not have access to an education, and most of them will go hungry tonight. So be thankful for you are blessed beyond measure!

(this is not my photo)

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough” 

― Oprah Winfrey

Hey everyone! Our dog Sera is a contestant for the Orvis Cover Dog Photo Contest! The proceeds for this contest will go toward canine cancer research at The Morris Animal Foundation. If Sera's photo wins she will be featured on the cover of the Orvis magazine. How exciting is that?! So if you guys would like to vote just go here!http://coverdog.orviscontests.com/contest.html?page=viewInd&id=82816&contestId=9

Please share this with your friends! Thanks in advance!

“It's not what you have on the outside that glitters in light, it's what you have on the inside that shines in the dark.” 

― Anthony Liccione

Happiness

So it's 8:58pm here where I am, and I am supposed to be doing my writing assignment (aka my English discussion board). We are supposed to answer a question about happiness and whether or not we think it can be bought with money, and the rest of the questions are about the novel The Great Gatsby(which I won't share this time ).  Anyway, I got a little bit distracted with the first question (and totally forgot about the other questions), so I began to research happiness and its definition. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary happiness  is: the state of being happy.  Well for some people they take that and other definitions and twist the words into something completely different.  I will now let you read what I shared with others tonight in my English class. 

Does money buy happiness?

I believe it depends on what you think happiness is.

In my own opinion I don't think money can buy happiness. It can buy things that may or may not make you happy for a short period of time or until the neighbors get that new grill that you have been dying to have, someone at school has that new sweater you told your mum about that you saw at the mall last night, or someone buys a nicer car than you have. To some happiness is merely a day at the spa with no work in site, a big screen TV to watch latest football game on, or a front porch with a mountain view. I've noticed that people confuse happiness mostly with temporary pleasures. Don't get me wrong a front porch with a mountain view sounds wonderful, but you have to think is that really what is going to make you happy. For me happiness is loving others, giving more than I receive, making people smile. Those are just a few ways I can define happiness. I think the word happiness is sometimes used like the word "love" people don't realize how powerful it really is, so they use is a way it isn't meant to be.

I came across this quote tonight about happiness. ↓ 

Happiness - By Alfred D. Souza

"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to still be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time and remember that time waits for no one.

So stop waiting; until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination."

                  (this is not my photo, but it was to lovely not to share!)

So I don't think there is much more to say here...

What are your opinions about happiness? Do YOU think money can buy happiness?

"Just a Horse"

  From time to time, people tell me, "Lighten Up, It's just a horse."
or ... "That's a lot of money for 'just a horse ."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the cost involved for "just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse," and in those darkest days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse," gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you probably understand the phrases like: "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself, and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse," but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand...

Author Unknown

“For it is in giving that we receive.” ― St. Francis of Assisi

This Three Minute Commercial Puts Full-Length Hollywood Films to Shame

Dreams...."And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true".

Hi everyone! 

I haven't blogged in forever so I was thinking about something to write about and I am having writers block. So I decided to take you back to a time when I was not having writers block. I am going to share with you a paper that I wrote for one of my English classes in college. Most of the time when I try to write something I can sit for hours with a blank piece of paper and pen in hand, if it is not something I am interested in it usually doesn't happen as quickly. When my teacher announced that we could write about anything we wanted to I knew exactly what I would write about.  So here it is read and enjoy! (While you are reading I am thinking about what to blog next :)

Savanna Harper 

March 18, 2012 

My Dream Job

I have always been captivated by wildlife and the natural world around us.
Even as an infant I was drawn to it, always wanting to be in its presence,
and in its presence I was. It was like a constant tugging or pulling of a
magnet. A force that pulled so strongly that I could not ignore even if I
wanted to. That is why my choice of occupation does not come as a surprise.
If I could have any job in the world, it would be one where I could expand
my knowledge of wildlife, teach people about the wonders of nature, and
share my undying passion for wildlife conservation.

I have studied about wildlife and our natural world for years. I was also
raised in an atmosphere of love and passion for the safety, well being, and
rehabilitation of wildlife and its habitat. I believe that I was born with
this passion lying dormant within me and that God placed influences in my
life to awaken it. Two of my biggest influences that help to awaken this
passion were my family and Steve Irwin. In my family we were always saving
or helping some kind of wild life. Whether it was finding a litter of
puppies or kittens that were dumped in the side of our road, a good and
loving home or rehabilitating neglected horses. Other days we might be
saving a turtle crossing the road from its impending doom or protecting
animals whose homes were being destroyed by so called “development.” 

One of the biggest things about wildlife conservation is teaching. People
cannot conserve something they do not even know exists. I, myself, did not
know a lot about wildlife until I was taught. We can be born with an
ability to easily gain or retain knowledge. However, knowledge is not
something you are just born with. That is why it is my life goal to help
people understand the wonderful world of wildlife and how to take care of
and protect it. Knowledge is the key to understanding and can inspire a
person to act. Therefore, if I have knowledge, I want to share it!

I want to share this passion that runs through me. I want people to be able
to see the world and the wildlife within it, the way I do. All it takes is
a tiny spark to start a growing fire. In order for this to happen, I need
to show the world it’s wildlife in a way it normally is not seen. I want to
share the beauty of a mother koala tenderly fussing over her joey, a lion
keeping a watchful eye on his mischievous cubs as his lioness hunts for
their supper, and the way a mother cobra fiercely protects her young.
Strong feelings will always be contagious, so I want to ignite a fire of
love for wildlife. A tiny seed of passion planted in the right person can
bloom into a desire to protect and preserve. 

I have a special place in my heart for wildlife, a joy from deep within,
and a passion that cannot be contained. I will someday soon fulfill my
dream job, working hard to get the message about wildlife to everyone I
can, standing up for what I believe in, and saving what I love. Steve Irwin
said If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my
wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love."

 © Savanna Harper

Committed

Whether you are aiming for a healthier body in 2013, trying to garden for the first time,climbing the highest mountain, attempting to save the hemlock trees, African rhinos, or even some local pups from danger you must be committed. To be committed is to be dedicated, if your are dedicated you are being loyal to a dream, idea or project etc. If you are committed you will succeed. When you succeed you are achieving . What ever it is you truly want to succeed in be committed!