PICTURE IT WELL: it's the journey

Mt. Rainier, Mount Rainier National Park. © GIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY 2021

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Focus on the journey. We’ve long been taught to focus on the goal, but in reality it’s the journey that teaches us the most. According to a recent study by two behavioral scientists from the Stanford School of Business, those people who pursued their goal through the lens of a journey instead of a destination had greater success. Not only did they reach their goal, but they were able to sustain what they learned along the way. So what was the real achievement? Those smaller steps, victories, milestones, habits, and rituals that were developed as they worked toward their goal will continue to serve them for a lifetime of “journeys”—the ultimate goal.

PICTURE IT WELL photos from givenphoto.com symbolize some aspect of well-being. The brief text is meant to inspire you and demonstrate the uplifting power of nature.

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PICTURE IT WELL: realize your inner strength

This image of Mount Shuksan symbolizes strength, Endurance, foundation, stillness, purity, and perspective. Located in cascade mountains, washington state. © GIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY 2020

This image of Mount Shuksan symbolizes strength, Endurance, foundation, stillness, purity, and perspective. Located in cascade mountains, washington state. © GIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY 2020

Realize your inner strength. Life coach and motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, suggests that many of us are stronger than we think we are. A strong inner self can help us remain calm and resilient when adversity strikes. But how often do you draw from your internal resources to get you through tough times? Resilience, empathy, mindfulness, self-compassion, confidence, openness, determination, patience, and gratitude are all characteristics of inner strength. These attributes are what brings peace and purpose to your life for the long haul. They are your well-spring.

Use the stillness and beauty of this season to help you explore and tap into your own unique inner strength.

Peace and joy to all.

PICTURE IT WELL photos from givenphoto.com symbolize some aspect of well-being. The brief text is meant to inspire you and demonstrate the uplifting power of nature.

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PICTURE IT WELL: what if forests were our church?

© copyright given photography 2020

© copyright given photography 2020

I found this poem in an old Yoga Journal magazine and was drawn to the nature analogy. It seemed so applicable to today’s world on so many levels. Click on the author link below to read the fascinating biography of this life long adventurer.

RAINFOREST POEM
What if?

“What if religion was each other?
If our practice was our life?
If prayer was our words?
What if the temple was the Earth?
If forests were our church?
If holy water—the rivers, lakes, and oceans?
What if meditation was our relationships?
If the Teacher was life?
If wisdom was self-knowledge?
If love was the center of our being.”


PICTURE IT WELL photos from givenphoto.com symbolize some aspect of well-being. The brief text is meant to inspire you and demonstrate the uplifting power of nature.

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PICTURE IT WELL: feather your nest

PICTURE IT WELL: feather your nest

The spring season is is all about creation, transformation, and expression of the new. Seeds sprouting, birds building nests, and budding vegetation everywhere. It’s a resurrection of sorts. The current global situation plays right into it. Something new is afoot. And it’s coming from us.

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PICTURE IT WELL: learn to love solitude

PICTURE IT WELL: learn to love solitude

Spending time alone in nature is a good way to quell anxiety. It has been well researched and reported that when you spend time in nature you can tap into its natural uplifting energy. Before you know it, your curiosity will kick in, you’ll become interested in your surroundings, and your persistent negative thoughts will dwindle. Do it often and nature will become your go-to-place to feel better.

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PICTURE IT WELL: the mind-body connection

PICTURE IT WELL: the mind-body connection

According to author Esther M. Sternberg, MD, growing research shows a mind-body connection between nature scenes (either a real or photograph) and how they make us feel emotionally. Even though many of us intuitively seek out beautiful surroundings because they make us feel better, Sternberg takes it further.

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