Amazing Color Combinations
Speckled Beauty
Tiny Orchids
Beautiful Painted Colors
Orchid Surprise
Tiger Orchid
Crimson Flash
Tropical Blooms
The colors of a Giraffe
All Photographs copyrighted by Barbara Mattio 2013
Orchid Mania
Tag Archives: community
Celebrating Each Day of Our Lives
Make sure you dance every day so you can feel your joy
The days of our lives are filled with many things. They can be filled with hard work, illness, anxiety, passion, protesting, child care, doing laundry and a million other things which are not exciting. Life can make us very numb where we just go through the motions. We can look but not see what is right in front of us.
There are days where getting out of your comfort zone is rough. Some days it is easier to over look the song of the bird or the honk of a goose. Some days you don’t hear the music, it swirls around you without being able to get near your heart or soul.
Some days life feels right as soon as we open our eyes. The air smells sweet, you can hear a robin looking for materials to build his nest, you can hear your favorite music in your head and it lifes your heart. You can do a little dance as you make breakfast. A smile graces your face all day and you in turn, can share it with everyone. In short, these types of days show our celebration of  life.
Celebrating life comes in sections .One section is praise for the blessing in your life. Those things that could be material or simply the note you received from an old friend. Praise is easy on the good days. It will flow out and around you as it gently floats upward toward the heavens. Praise on the hard days, when sickness, problems, uncertainity plague you, make praise be something you need to work at. It is just as important on these days and probably more appreciated by The One.
The other section is gratitude. This is not the same. The gratitude raises up out of your soul and engulfs you as you take every breath of air and as you take each step. Gratitude is the ability and intention of seeing every little gift given to you. It is the ability to recognize that you are surrounded by tiny miracles and they make you feel so loved and cherished by the Divinity in life.
When you put gratitude and praise together, you find the ultimate goal. You find yourself celebrating life. Celebrating life takes the weaving together of gratitude and praise to create an emotional quilt to wrap around yourself. So try each day to find a way to be in touch with your innerself and celebrate life as often as you can. Life, here on this plane, won’t last forever. There will be a day when we move on to the next plane of existence. We go forward experiencing the cycle of  life. So today, try to really see and hear your world, dance a few steps, and sing your favorite song, even if it is off tune. Celebrate! Celebrate and see what comes back to you. Blessings to all, Barbara
Butterfly whispering. Photo by Cliff Mattio
Celebrate with praise and gratitude.
Healing Humanity
There is nothing really for me to say. We are all made of star dust and we are all children of the Universe. The richness of life is the beauty of our differences.
May our differences bring joy, not fear,
May our differences make us stronger,
May we all turn from the need of power and control, from greed and jealousies.
May we all raise our voices  in love to The One.
May we remember how to be compassionate and forgiving.
—By Barbara Mattio
Greatness is what you give.
Violence Destroys Families
Battering destroys families.
For the victim of battering or Domestic Violence, they exist in a house with someone who hurts them. They are literally “Sleeping With the Enemy.” Abuse is the only crime in America where we ask the victim to lie down in bed next to the person who has just finished knocking their teeth out, punched them in the stomach, burned them with a cigarette, or holding a gun to their head.
Generations of children have learned that battering is normal.
Children in violent homes are often beaten or molested by someone they live with. Even for those who haven’t been beaten, They see their parents as role models. Yes, they often try to protect their mothers but the majority of them repeat the beatings they saw over and over as a child . They  learned to be an abuser. Girls in violent families whether beaten or not, watch the victim be punched, dragged, choked, slapped  burned with a cigarette and many other vile acts. They learn from their family that they are victims.  As they grow older, it is not unusual for abusers and victims to find each other. They live together in their set roles.
This woman is being victimized
Love should never hurt
The scene of Domestic Violence begins like any other relationship. Two people meet and fall in love. They live together or marry and may eventually have a baby. An abuser doesn’t always begin to abuse while they are dating. Sometimes it begins on the honeymoon. That first punch to teach the victim who is in charge. The abuser wants her to know exactly what is expected. Dinner at six, his shirts laundered just so. He expects her to be home all day and he will be calling to check up on her. Sometimes the abuse doesn’t begin until a pregnancy becomes reality. The abuser may say they are pleased and excited, but will then begin to beat the victim up. Frequently, the abuse consists of punching her over and over in the stomach. Many women have lost their babies because of abuse. Sometimes the abuse doesn’t begin until the children are older and the house doesn’t run as smoothly as it used to. The house is full of playing, laughing, screaming or giggling children. They learn soon enough not to bring anyone home to play because an episode of abuse may begin. These are families in name only.
Often violence begins during pregnancy
Hands were made for hugging and not for hitting.
To attempt to prevent episodes of abuse, the victim will try to have everything just the way the abuser wants it. The children are taught to be quiet and just eat dinner and go do homework. They stay in their rooms or go to a friend’s house so that they won’t be battered or have to hear the screams of pain and the abusive slurs that go hand in hand with the physical abuse.
Speak out
If you are being abused or know someone who is, get out and go to a shelter. Almost all cities have shelters now. Get yourself and the kids out before the abuse escalates and someone is dead. In a shelter, you will find medical help, warm beds, food, counseling, legal advice and assistance. You and your children will be protected and supported as you begin the process of starting a new life without violence.
It is never, never right to abuse a woman or children. It is never right to abuse a man. This is not really love. It is power and control. The abuser thinks he owns you. Leaving the violent home will be the beginning of having the ability to live without the fear of abuse.
Children and Guns Part 2
I wonder how this works
Child’s letter to President Obama about guns.
Guns instead of toys
No guns sign
Faces of the children at Sandy Hook School murdered by one lone kid.
An organization that attempts to protect children from guns.
Which sign would make you feel safe?
Gun stats
So, the theory I am hearing over and over is that a gun is needed in the home for protection. Our society has degenerated to being more hate and violence than love and compassion. And especially when you have children you want to protect them. We lose children to accidents in the home every year. Accidental poisoning, dog bites, bullying, molestation, and abuse.
I believe that most people who have a gun say they are “for protection.” I understand the need to try and keep the violence away. In a home with children, the gun or guns are locked up in a closet or in a drawer in the nightstand. Heaven help us there are none loaded and under a pillow. Some people have multiple guns in the home. Some are revolvers and some are assault guns. I am not sure what they are expecting to arrive at their home.
Real life scenario: you are asleep and hear a noise and quietly get up. You hear another small noise and you unlock your gun and load it. In the dark, you tiptoe down a hallway and you can barely make out an outline. Someone is in the house! You shoot. There is a thud and the person’s body falls to the floor and you flip on the lights and see you have shot your husband in the shoulder. But at least he isn’t dead. He was away on business and got home before he was expected and didn’t want to bother you. Now the police are arriving and an ambulance and you are trying to explain to the kids and the police.
Here is another one. You and your husband are in bed watching tv. All is quiet in the house, suddenly you hear the sound of glass breaking. Well, maybe that is what it is. Fear grips you and your husband gets the guns and loads it. He hears a creak and goes down the stairs. You hear yelling and a gun fire. You are terrified but call 911. It turns out that a kid broke into your home. You find yourself looking at your husband who has just shot and killed a sixteen year old who was looking for money for beer. Did he commit a crime? He sure did. Did he deserve to be dead? He sure didn’t. Even though you might live in a state where the husband wouldn’t be prosecuted you both have to live with the fact that you killed another human being. Yes, we have the right to protect what is ours. Is it more important than a life? More important than a child created to walk this earth and has Divine energy within him or her?
There have always been people who have been the scum of the earth. There always will be.We will never end all of the hatred and violence. Do we ignore it?” I think not. I think we have a well regulated militia (police) who are paid to protect us. How about if we took all of the money spent on the purchase and use of guns and ammo and distributed it to cities to hire more police or pay them what they should be earning?
Again, looking to keep the conversation going. I want to hear from everyone. This is one of the most difficult questions we face right now as a country.
The Conection of a Promise
                                                            All children need to know their place in the world and to trust the people in it.
I have nine grandchildren. I am as surprised as anyone could be. One of my nine is a grandchild by marriage. I love him as much as any of the others and I quite fell in love with him when he entered our family at five. He was distrustful and a drama queen. He was nervous around people and unsure how to act in different social situations. I decided that had to change.
I have watched him a lot as time passed. I could see his strengths and weaknesses.We had some really great days together and some that left me feeling like I needed a week in bed. What he had was a good loving heart and a huge amount of kindness for someone so young.
What he lacked was self-confidence, trust and an understanding of why things happened and how to do the things he wanted to do. He could be an angel or the most tiring experience I have ever had.
I was determined that he would find his balance in life and his security. We were talking one day and I said I would do something. He looked at me with disgust and said with pure attitude, “No you won’t.” I looked at him and decided I needed to gamble on this child. I said sure I would and he asked if I would promise. I agreed to a promise and he asked for a pinky promise. We made a solemn pinky promise and I kept my promise.
The next promise was easier. Our talks about how to handle situations grew longer and less adversarial. Not only have we formed a strong bond. Pinky promises are the utmost sacred pact. He will even ask me if something someone else has told him is true and if I answer in the affirmative, he asks for a pinky promise.
So slowly but surely, he is finding out who he is and where he fits into this world. He is learning what he likes and doesn’t like. His talents are coming out like popcorn and he makes me laugh like I have never laughed.
Now, I am not sharing this story because of anything I did. I am sharing it to make the point that often we make promises without thinking about them. Promises to children, parents, friends, co-workers. Sometimes we don’t call it a promise, we agree on something. The other person is counting on us.
If we make a promise, we need to keep it and we should not make promises without thinking them through..No matter who we give our word to, it is important to keep it. It needs to be part of our character to keep our word. People notice that about others and know which people they can trust. That is an important thing in this twenty first century we live in.
Happy children at play without worries
Security helps children feel free
America, we have had enough shooting
Prayer brings healing and love to people
There is a source of comfort in times of unbearable grief
We must end the anger and violence. We must look to helping each other to heal.
People of all faiths are praying together for healing and peace and an end to violence.
Another Day of Shock and Horror
May the angels hold all of these children and aad the fallen adults in their wings and carry them on to the arms of The Beloved
My heart is heavy today as I listen and pray for the victims, their families and friends. I pray also for the survivors and first responders.I don’t believe that I will ever forget the little boy, in fourth grade who said, “We are just glad we are alive.” I also heard a mother say,” My heart is broken into little pieces.”
This is not the blog I planned for today and yet it is the one that I need to speak about. There were also school employees who were also dead. I am beginning to hear of acts of heroism that saved further lives. This bravery speaks to the best in the human heart.
I have visited the social media today and what I read that a few people have written is as frightening as this terrible act. We must not forget that how we respond to terrible events is important to how well survivors heal and how well families and friends can begin the process of healing. It is a process and it is a journey. Having lost someone very dear to me, I understand the process they are facing.
I pray for all of the first responders to this quiet, beautiful little village. They were also brave and selfless and viewed what the rest of us will never have to witness. Thanks to all of them for their quick response.
May the energy and the light of these candles surrounds the grieving parents.
Just now, I can only think of the pain and grief of families in this small Connecticut village. I ask that many prayers be lifted up for all of those affected by this terrible event.
Healing hands bring Divine energy to those in pain.
Happy Thanksgiving to One and All
America the Beautiful
The Fullness of Miracles
Being in the Moment
I have been away helping a friend for a few days. That is why I haven’t blogged. But, as so often happens, those days were filled with little miracles. Small events that could go unnoticed. It is so important to be aware of the present moment. Too often we hold onto the past or look to the future. The problem is that we miss all the gifts and the little miracles that happen around us each day. We have to look for them because we are too busy rehashing the past or hoping for the future and what it may bring to us.
In the present moment, if you look for it, you will find a “domino’ effect which is bring what you need for you and at the time you need it. If you aren’t looking for these times of perfect order, you will miss the gifts the Universe has for you. These little gifts could be the right person who could become a very dear friend, someone giving you the information you don’t even know you need yet. The Universe knows though. The accident you are saved from because you listened to “the still small voice” within.
If we do not pay attention to the present, miracles pass you by like a cumulus cloud sailing across the blue sky. I also believe that the more often you recognize the little gifts that come into your life, the more you will be sent. It is also important to listen to that urge to perform an act of kindness or just sending someone a note when they suddenly come to your mind. It is easy to ignore these prompts because life is so busy with so many things to do. Working, children, homework, friends, spouses, health all take our attention and other things get lost in the swirl of activity.
This is why it is so important, to look around in the present moment and to really “see” and “hear” what is in your life. What small thing shows up that will make a huge difference. Something you couldn’t have imagined happening, yet the Universe brings it all to you at the right time and with the right people. The person from your past who shows up and your friendship and loving feelings add blessings to both of  your lives. So I encourage everyone to take a moment every day and look for what you aren’t expecting but brings many blessings to you, because you took the time to stop, breathe and to really look around you and at the people in your life. They are often used as a way to bring us the small miracles. Then keep a book of them and remember to show the Universe your gratitude. By keeping a book, you will see how much you are being given. It helps you to get through the hard days when it seems like you are all alone. In truth, we never are alone because Divinity is always within.
Chautauqua Lake, NY; Photo by Barbara Mattio
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