Showing posts with label giving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giving. Show all posts

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Joy...

What is JOY?

In a google search the first definition that popped up was 
"a feeling of great pleasure and happiness."


Joy is finding a heart shaped rock on the beach.


Personally, I find Joy in many things...
maybe its easier because I am content with life's little pleasures.

Things that are mostly free...

"Attitude of gratitude" 
is my mantra.


Joy is sunshine and scenery.

Maybe it's a smile from a stranger that was unexpected.

A random kind gesture 
a surprise letter or card in the mail
when your grandchildren tell you they love you
if you are stuck in traffic and another driver lets you merge

finding a handful of sea glass on the beach
a beautiful moonlit evening
fresh salty sea air


a rose blooming in winter

there are so many places to look for JOY

it might be a pop of colour on a gloomy day
a phone call from a friend you haven't heard from in ages
a rainbow after the storm


It might even be a whimsical indulgence that makes you smile...


this festive wee tree lights up in many colours
while it might border on "tacky" I knew I had to have it.
It brings me Joy.

Sometimes you just need to take a chance...


Joy in the sunset


Joy is found in giving...
like these Lions international volunteers
who bring Mr. and Mrs. Claus to the Gulf Islands.


There was Joy on the faces of the children and parents in the crowd.


There were elves...


a choir


and pirates wielding balloon swords 
with a few local pirates ready for a battle.

These dedicated volunteers give 800 gifts to children on the various islands.
Each child leaves with a bag of treats and gifts.

Bringing JOY to these children and their families
 Hope Bay on Pender Island...
a generous gift 
that will be remembered for years to come.


“There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.” 
~ Khalil Gibran ~


“Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.” 
~ Ben Carson ~

Wishing you Peace, Joy and Contentment.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Grace in action...hope you are reading this Nadya!

Welcome to The Humble Bungalow
our neighbourhood is getting dressed up for the holidays.





Our bungalow Christmas lights are all white.
The neighbours in our area like to decorate with vibrant colours...
its fun to wander around the neighbourhood at night and see the festive accents.







This is a newer home on our street.
It has grey shingles and white trim and I love the garden with the box hedging.



I had not planned to write so soon after my Friday post 
but I received the most gracious email from Carol 
who was the recipient of the Weight Watchers Slow Cooker cookbook. 

"I have not been able to get Nadya's entry out of my mind since I read it.
Perhaps I remember being so tired with a toddler (or two) to care for.
Perhaps it is because it is my son's goal to become a political science professor.
I suspect she would use the cookbook far more often than I."

~ Carol Woodard ~


Carol you are a gracious woman and your gesture is so very kind.

I hope that Nadya reads this and sends her mailing address so that I can forward the cookbook to her asap.

Nadya my email address is bungalowhostess@gmail.com

Carol please email me your mailing address as I want to send you something too!

Seasons Greetings!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~


Sunday, May 15, 2016

Sunday morning and giving thanks...

Darling daughter (@thing_finder on Instagram) and I recently hosted a fund raising auction to aid the victims of Fort McMurray Alberta who have been displaced by a raging wildfire.
We have notified the winners, they have graciously paid for their items and their parcels will soon be on their way...
The Red Cross will receive the donation and it will be matched by the Canadian Government.
It has made me feel better knowing that a family will benefit from this small gesture.


Sending you thanks...


Small pleasures...

Mr. HB picked me a bouquet of yellow roses from the garden.
Graham Thomas is a hardy and disease resistant David Austin climbing rose.
One of my favourite roses.
(it is really difficult to pick a favourite David Austin Rose as they are all so lovely)

Humble gestures of
 helping
performing random acts of kindness
volunteering
there are so many ways to show that you care.

They need not be grand gestures...
 the thoughts and actions of a small group can come together can make a big difference.


"I am a huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community and the world. Think globally, act locally I suppose. I believe that the measure of a person's life is the affect they have on others." 

~ Steve Nash ~

(NBA star Steve Nash was raised in Victoria BC and he has just been awarded the Order of Canada.)


Wishing you all a very Happy Sunday.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~