Faith

This entry is all about faith, about believing in something good will happen, without any confirmation; being a little irrational about it all ... actually "blind" temporarily until affirmation arrives.

Faith is exactly like the picture above... seeing a little of the present but nothing beyond it; being positive that there is a rainbow awaiting amidst the green hills when the weather clears up in time to come.

"Faith is like radar that sees through the fog."  - Corrie Ten Boom -

Faith - sometimes the picture gradually changes into something a bit clearer however the blurry edges tug at one's heart strings into questioning oneself about life, decisions, future, and purpose.

"Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there." - M. Antonius -

However mindboggling and incomprehensible the future may seem at this moment, one must always maintain a positive viewpoint. It is simply because external circumstances are beyond our control. One can, nonetheless, control one's inner world; thoughts and actions.

"Faith allows things to happen. It is the power that comes from a fearless heart. And when a fearless heart believes, miracles happen." - Anonymous -

Faith is taking the first step with confidence, especially when what lies ahead of you is an abstract panorama.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King Jr. 

Is fear holding you back?  Fear has no power in dragging one down in the gulf of doubt when one has established deeply-rooted principles and values in life. How life is nurtured. How life grows. And, how future is secured.

"Faith is the root of who I am. It is from the root that I grow, both up and down, like a tree whose roots grow deeper into the soil, establishing a strong root system." - Paul Sposite -

This picture reminds me of a forest in a storybook, when spring checks in after a cold winter, colors blooming happily and pathways are slowly opening up through the trees.  With faith, in looking forward to enjoying the full artistry of nature.  

"Believe! Believe in the limitless supply of God's goodness. The universe is filled with more wonders than you can imagine." - Wilfred A. Peterson - 

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." - Saint Augustine

No explanation necessary. Trust yourself in your journey. Believe in the foundation that has been ingrained in your life. Know that it will happen for you; that in the end, you will get to savor and revel in the beauty of life just like in a full bloomed flower garden. Patience is needed along the way. Positivity is significant.

(This set of photographs were taken on 10 October 2015 during a road trip with friends)

Amaryllis

The legend of Amaryllis...

Greek Mythology:  A shy nymph named Amaryllis fell in love with Alteo a handsome young shepherd who is known to have the strength of Hercules and the beauty of Apollo. Alteo only desired a stunning and rare flower that never existed in the world before. Amaryllis went to the Oracle of Delphi for help to win his heart.  For 30 nights Amaryllis stood in front of Alteo's door, with a golden arrow pierced in her heart.  Alteo opened his door to a beautiful flower which grew out of Amaryllis' blood.  

The Amaryllis symbolizes timidity, pride, determination, and remarkable beauty.

If love be timid it is not true - Spanish Quote - 

If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride - and never quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards - Paul Bryant -

Persistence: The determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come - James Whitcomb Riley -

Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul. - Saint Augustine - 

I had totally forgotten about these Amaryllis in my garden until one morning these red beauties decided that it is their time to bloom with pride. I followed them for days, each day capturing shots of them growing and maturing. They must have been embedded in the soil for months and they were no where in my memory. How timid. Yet, determined. And when they bloomed, they flourished in rich colour. Stunning!

There are times in life, we have to be humble and quiet. For the good of ourselves. To re-evaluate our actions, our routes, our destiny.  To purposefully weigh the pros and cons of our present so we could head off to an exceptional tomorrow.    

Brazilian Skyflower

Skyflowers... The little wishes of the forget-me-not family... each tiny flower carrying a recollection of a memory.

Leftovers in their less visible form are called memories. Stored in the refrigerator of the mind and the cupboard of the heart - Thomas Fuller -

Memory makes us...

Memories warm you up from the inside but they also tear you apart - Haruki Murakami - 

Childhood memories...

I'd give all wealth that years have piled, the slow result of life's decay, to be once more a little child for one bright summer day - Lewis Carroll - 

Friendship memories...

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart - Elizabeth Foley -

School memories...

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory - Dr Seuss -

Love memories...

The mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death - Oscar Wilde -

My memories and I

Though miles intervening us
and distance keeps us isolated
Nothing can ever transform
The love inside my heart
For you are everlastingly with me
In a little thousand ways
In thoughts
In moments
In daydreams
It only takes a flashback to get from here to there
Contented that you are always with me
To keep me going in this lifetime... til the very end.

- Jo-Ann Tan -