[Photography and graphic design by Lori Franklin - Jane Be Nimble.]
Please use this art anywhere and everywhere you’d like.
I snapped this photo while I was in a contemplative mood on a beautiful day by the bay and deemed this photo worthy of acting as a backdrop for one of my favorite quotes. This quote harbors deep meaning to me. (In case you missed it, read my backstory.)
Take a moment to let these words flow through you and see yourself passing through this one life of yours. How do you feel?
Enjoy today and have a beautiful weekend!
Create Your Day!
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A world of infinite possibilities, ours for the taking if only we risk everything on the chance to attain it? I can dig it. In fact, I love it. This is deep; you really made me stretch my mental muscles for this one. I love that about your blog!
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Memories Best Left Forgotten =-.
I like your interpretation, Jay! And, of course, I love that you visit my blog.
Every comment you leave adds so much to the conversation. How do you do it? You are an incredibly smart man, Mr. Schryer.
~xo
Totally random here but… you asked. I’ve always felt like a dandelion seed, disconnected, floating wherever the wind takes me… basically alone.
When I saw this picture, I noticed a bunch of dandelion seeds all huddled together in one little group, and I felt like here… at your site, and among our peeps, I’m really not alone. I’m among other dandelion seeds who really understand me and are hanging on, just like me.
Am I hazarding my best? Hm… in some areas I am, I suppose; the ones that matter most to me.
Thanks, Lo!
.-= Lisis´s last blog ..The Sixth Step to Finding Fulfillment: Be Honest =-.
Lisis, you’ll never be alone as long as I’m around. And, as you already know, you’re all you really need. Yes?
And, I love your analogy of the dandelion cluster and the blogging community, in general. I feel that way, too. That I’ve found a group of like-minded people all joining together to make a better world, one seed at a time.
You are a glorious being, and if you’re doing your best regarding what matters to you, than, awesome! That’s all we can really do – honor what’s important to us.
You go, girl! Thanks for coming here today.
~xo
What an amazing quote, and a beautiful photo….
I’ve been giving that “loss of everything” concept a lot of thought lately. Also, the concept of how we as humans, when looking forward, see possible scenarios that we don’t think we’d ever survive if we faced them … and yet, when we do finally face them, we just deal, don’t we?
Sometimes, the creation of what we perceive as a void, is simply the forming of an opening, one that allows something very special to grow from deep inside us, and reach outward to change the world. Or at least “our” world.
.-= Gayze´s last blog ..NaNoWriMo (Or What Have I Gotten Myself Into?) =-.
Thanks, I love the quote, too! I’m glad you appreciate it as well. And, yes, dandelions have always captivated me. I love the way they grow, mature, and someday, just let all their efforts fly to the breeze. No complaining, no arguing, they just let their hard efforts go – released to the wind.
And, Gayze, I completely understand what you mean – YES, agreed. A few times in my life people have called me inspirational or whatever for dealing with my MS the way I have, but, you know, when life knocks us down, what else is there to do but get back up? Right?
I love your comment here today. It’s very deep and personal to me. Thank you so much, Gayze!
The first part of this quote REALLY resonates with me right now. Thank you, Lo. And beautiful artwork!
.-= Alison | Quest for Balance´s last blog ..The Sixth Step to Finding Fulfillment: Be Honest =-.
Hi Ali,
First of all, I can totally relate (as you know). I had initially wrote a long, involved post about what this quote means to me and why, but then I realized that my version is specific to my challenges and situation, so why not just let each person interpret it based on what she (or he) sees?
I’m glad this resonated with you, sweets, and hang in there. Enjoy the ride as you life rocks and rolls. It’s all about the journey, baby!
Oh, and thanks for the kudos about my art. I see this as art therapy and it sure worked when I created this image!
Enjoy your day and weekend!
~xo
Hi Lori
I read more than just your quote as I followed the link before commenting.
I had to think about the quote and am still thinking. These things take time for me, I need to chew them and roll them around on my tongue because they are too good to swallow in one big gulp.
Hazarding your best gifts into the world, giving without attachment for how it is received and without expecting tit for tat.
I am sometimes scared how my gift will be received and if I get it thrown back into my face, hmmm.
Well, I have some thinking to do, THANKS Lori and it is a long labor weekend here as well.
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Ann-Marie on jumping the gap from Knowing to Doing in order to live life differently =-.
Thanks for your thoughts, Wilma. It seems this quote affected you as much as it affected me.
From my perspective, I’ve loved the things you’ve put into this world, so thank you!
Have a wonderful long labor weekend and enjoy yourself. Thank you for being YOU!
Lori:
Beautiful picture and quote!! Wow, the quote is very deep and timely. And it is very inspirational in the way that it encourages me to just go for it, regardless of age or experience. Have a great weekend!
.-= Tim´s last blog ..The Magic of Making Mistakes: A Review of The Talent Code =-.
Hey, thanks, Tim. That means a lot!
You know, I read recently that scholars believe Mohammed wrote the Koran beginning when he was 40-yrs old over 20 years – through age 60. I had no idea (!), especially since starting at 40 back then was already at the end of the average life expectancy!
I had a friend who once told me, “It’s time to start livin’ or time to start dyin’ – your choice.”
Have a great weekend, Tim!
Lori,
That dandelion is like a perfect one…just waiting for the winds of life to come. And they will, just like they do for all of us. And like that dandelion, which will go out and spread it’s seeds – so will we. And we will, all of us, do that. How and what kind of seeds we spread – that’s where I see the essence of this quote. When we connect with what really matters to us, we give the world our best, we give ourselves the best…
It’s good, as always, to be here today, Lori…
.-= Lance´s last blog ..A World Filled With Wonder =-.
Lance, your comment it beautiful.
I love your take on this image and can see your words taking shape! I can see your writing spreading like seeds into cyberspace, positively affecting each one of us, in its own unique way.
Lance, that’s so beautiful. It’s so YOU, and I love everything about your comment (and you!).
I also like how you ended your comment, with giving ourselves the best, and for me, I believe this is where the potential starts. I.e., put on your oxygen mask first before you assist others…
Cheers to you!
~xo
Hi Lori,
That is a beautiful picture and quote. Thank you so much for sharing both with all of us.
As for my interpretation, it just seems to state that we have to give our best at every moment because inevitably this journey will end. We may think we have forever but we really do not. Today could be our last day or it can happen twenty years from now. So the best thing to do is to make the best of where we are and to give our best to life. It may require risk but so what. There are no guarantees in life so there is no sense in playing it safe especially if we are going to leave at some point.
Hope all is awesome!
.-= Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..What Do You Know For Certain? =-.
Hi Nadia,
I’m glad you enjoyed the pic and quote, too.
I loved your take on this, too. Thank you. I certainly have days where I think my joye de vivre won’t ever end, then I have a string of bad days and realize that when those good days show up that I need to make the best of them.
Hope all is well with you, too!
Thank you Lori for providing this great inspirational and connecting picture with us.
For me personally, I just feel a great deal of connection as a human being after I saw this picture. I also feel very inspired and motivated because I am reminded by that picture that nothing is ever too late while we are alive.
Thank you for this great message Lori, really appreciate it!
Steven
Hi Steven,
Hey, welcome to my blog! I love the liveliness and color infused into your site and that you post your own comics! How cool is that?!?!? Awesome!
And, you hit the nail on the head, Steven, …nothing is ever too late while we’re alive.
Yes, indeed!
Thank you for visiting and I appreciate you, too, Steven. Have a great week!
~xo
Hi Laurie,
I had to read this 3 times! The last line is what got me. My ego wants me to believe at 55 I’m too old, don’t get technology, blogging is too overwhelming. But to think I have the same opportunities as the young until my last breathe? How refreshing.
A 95 year old Hispanic woman started a blog and wrote everyday to her family. All her relatives left comments for her each time she posted. Is that amazing or what. What life they breathed into her in her final years.
.-= Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Taking Bold Steps To Live Fully =-.
Hi Tess,
You’ve really hit upon one of the many lessons I gathered, from my perspective, in this quote. I’ll be 40 next year, and I still can’t believe how it’s crept up on me. I feel 18 some days, how can I be approaching 40? And how will I feel about age when I’m 50, 75, or 100?
My neighbor is 94 and such an inspiration. He takes everyday like a new adventure and always has an awesome, funny story to tell me. I love your story about the 95-yr old woman, too, and how she is blogging to connect. That is just wonderful!! It really touched me, Tess.
So, you just keep on going, Tess, keep up your blog. You’re just starting – and just think where you’ll be when you’re 95!
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Tess. I love it when you visit.
~xo
Tess, 55 too old, too old for what? you still have 40 years to go before youa re 95, what in the hell are you going to do with all those years????
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Part 2. Making requests, an underestimated skill. =-.
Hi Lori!
First, let me say that this is an excellent photo and I love what you have done with it. Beautiful!
I read this quote and then I read it again. I love the thought of hazarding the best of myself everyday ,and in fact, I suppose this is what I write about on my own blog. The more I think on this though, the deeper it’s meaning becomes to me. See, I am currently still working at a job (though that will change in the future!). I get up at 5am and get home at 7pm. I get home, I eat dinner, maintain a relationship, work on a course I’m studying, work out, work on my blog, and get to bed around 11pm. That makes for an 18 hour day Monday-Friday. There are days that I am tempted to not give my all and there have been days when I didn’t. I always feel terrible on the days that I know I didn’t give my best. So my daily goal is to give my all. I don’t want to reach the end of my life, whenever that may be, and look back and wonder what I could have done if I had only give my all. So I can think of myself as a dandelion seed, being guided by the winds of life and where I land I will bloom.
Life is way too short ,and to me, the hazard comes when I do not give my very best.
Thanks for this great reminder Lori
Hi Keith,
Geez – you’re clocking some long days. Make sure you’re prioritizing your sleep and downtime, too, OK? I formerly worked days like that and, unfortunately, it eventually caught up with me and sent my health down the tubes. Just know when to say when – deal?
I love your comment and your zest for life. Your fire really comes through in your comment (and your blog, too). Thanks for taking the time to share with us, Keith, and know that you’re already doing your best, just being. Thanks for tending to your blog, too, because I am quite enjoying it!
Be Well,
~xo
Thanks Lori! I do prioritize my health, I’m mildly fanatical about my health.
So you gotta deal!
Thank you for your kind words about my blog. I love your blog too!!
.-= Keith´s last blog ..Keep The Faith! =-.