50 States of Pray

Mark Koopmans came up with this lovely idea to have a blogfest with 50 States of Pray.  I live in North Carolina, but am originally from Maine.  Maine is the known as the Vacationland state.  Why?   There is a wealth of activities to do: hiking the mountains, dipping your toes into the ocean, golfing, fishing, skiing and the arts.   There is a  state of mind, that comes over you when you cross the border and see the 'Welcome to Maine' sign.  Being a military spouse I have experienced this several times and want you to find this peaceful feeling in your world, your day



When you cross the border, you breathe differently and feel calm.  The clouds seem to part and the kite blue sky waves to you, "Welcome"!    The calmness permeates your soul and you are transported to slower pace, where you can smell the pungent knotted pine trees, the kiss of salty ocean air and be inspired to release your inner child.  Nature nurtures your being and you feel at peace!  A slower pace has taken hold and you will want to embrace it.     


 I climbed this mountain often, I grew up 20 minutes from this view.  Mt. Battie in Camden, Maine and the bay where my go to places when I needed time out.  I never wanted to leave, yet I married a sailor and did. 
*****  


This is my prayer-to slow down and embrace moments in your day.  Imagine it as a bike ride, there are moments of exhausting pedaling towards the peak, but once you reach the summit, make time to enjoy the view.  Find time every day to coast downhill.  Do the hard things first so you can find the joy, the calm in your day.  I hope you take your feet off the pedals and swing your legs wide free and shout into the wind! 

Sometimes we need to grab the hand of a loved one or friend and encourage them to find their calm. When you are in a crowded store, a grocery line be more thoughtful, open doors for strangers, smile more and remember life can be more of a 'Vacationland'-if you are open to see the good in every day! I once read that the people who are anger need kindness the most.  Pay kindness forward and embrace the Scrooges of the world-it will make you smile more!

Maine has 61 Lighthouses-so be a lighthouse-a beacon of light shining goodness into someone else's day!  

Are you singing with me?!





    Merry Christmas to you n' yours~   

From sight seeing to golfing or from skiing to the arts, Maine (Vacationland) has a wealth of things for you to see & do. - See more at: http://www.chacha.com/question/why-is-maine-called-vacationland#sthash.jDXKIdz0.dpuf
From sight seeing to golfing or from skiing to the arts, Maine (Vacationland) has a wealth of things for you to see & do. - See more at: http://www.chacha.com/question/why-is-maine-called-vacationland#sthash.jDXKIdz0.dpuf

Comments

Mary said…
You've sold me on Maine, Ella! I was in Maine once and really liked what I saw there. I KNOW that it would be a beautiful place to live.

Merry Christmas, Ella.
I will slow down and enjoy this week!
Never been to Maine, but it looks beautiful.
Have a blessed Christmas, Ella!
Kerry O'Connor said…
A very merry Christmas to you and your family, Ellen.
Maude Lynn said…
This is really lovely, Ella. Merry Christmas!
L. Diane Wolfe said…
My in-laws spend every summer in Maine and the surrounding area and love it.

Merry Christmas!
Bish Denham said…
All we have is this moment so your prayer means a lot to me. As for Maine, it's one state I've never visited but have long wanted to. Merry Christmas from Texas!
kaykuala said…
Lucky you, Ella! Such a beautiful place and you grew up there? How nice! And with that many light- houses.It should have been fun. Merry Christmas to you Ma'am and Happy holidays!

Hank
Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures and thoughts...
Have a blessed and peaceful Christmaa, Ella.
Writer In Transit
CWMartin said…
Lovely thoughts, lovely pictures. Have a Merry Christmas!
Elsie Amata said…
These pictures are stunning! Have a very Merry Christmas!!!
Wanda said…
Enjoyed the beautiful photos you shared Ella. Merry Christmas!
Huntress said…
Oh, now I SO want to visit Maine.
A Blessed Day to you and yours.
Author of Wilder Mage at Spirit Called
Facebook Wilder Mage
Yolanda Renée said…
Lovely, just lovely!

Merry Christmas!
Sherry Blue Sky said…
The beauty of Maine, especially in fall, is legendary. How wonderful to have grown up there.
I hope you get back for a visit soon, kiddo.
Donna Smith said…
Icing in Maine this week...many still without power, but we still seem to find a way to survive without water, lights, flushable toilets, hot food and brushed teeth! Glad we got ours back earlier! I think we like "no power days"...slowed life, slows even more! Merry Christmas from Maine.
Ella said…
Donna-My mom has power and my brother doesn't. They live in the same town-Bucksport, Maine. Yes, we have spirit and spunk! Merry Christmas to you Donna! Nice to meet you~ I am sorry to hear so many in Maine are suffering~

Sherry-Thank you! I am working on it~
You live in a lovely part of the world yourself! If I come back to my roots-I will visit you! Merry Christmas Sherry~

Yolanda! I am sorry I haven't been by...my life is so not normal! I have the pictures to prove it-lol! Merry Christmas to you~
Brian Miller said…
i think it is a wonderful prayer to slow down and just enjoy life...your pics are awesome...i have yet to make it to maine other than passing through...but i need to...

i hope you have a wonderful christmas today as well..
DEZMOND said…
It's a lovely message, dear
Wishing you and your family pleasant holidays!
Michael Di Gesu said…
What STUNNING PICS, ELLA!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Such a beautiful memory of a time gone by. You'll return there for good someday... I just know it!

I wish only the best for you during this holiday. And may 2014 enrich your life in ways that you have NEVER imagined!!!!

Big cyber hugs to you!!!!!
Suzanne said…
I have had an enforced slow-down this year and it has made me appreciate so much. Hope you have a lovely 2014 :)
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
x
I always enjoy reading posts like this, where the love of the land shines forth. Merry Christmas.
Sharon Himsl said…
Beautiful pictures and thoughts on slowing our world down. Sailboats have always had this effect on me. It's about journey, not the pace. Merry Christmas.
PK HREZO said…
I've always wanted to see Maine. Someday.
Love your words. It really is what makes life worth living. Especially for so many of us writers with our heads buried in our work and social medias. I relish my daily bike rides.

Merry Christmas Ella!
Fe Adamsonn said…
Wow! The scenery is so nice. It is surely great to spend the holidays in that beautiful place.

Military wives
Hi Ella - I was thinking as I read this .. I'm not sure Maine is the best place to be right now - with snow and ice storms ..

But the pictures you posted, the words you gave us .. give us a prayer for so many ..

Blessings to you - Hilary
Anonymous said…
Your prayer is wonderful and your photos a true delight! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I've never been to Maine, but I get a similar peaceful feeling the minute I step off the plane in Maui. I can feel my cares blowing away in the soft ocean breeze. I inhale deeply, smelling the beautiful plumeria and drive down the hill from the West Maui Airport, feeling the stress disapate the closure we get to the shore. And suddenly -- we're there! I unpack and don't want to leave. Except to go to the grocery store to buy papayas of course!
David P. King said…
I need to get myself to Maine sometime. Those pics are absolutely gorgeous! :)
Misha Gerrick said…
Awesome prayer. I also want to embrace moments in 2014. Hope your new year is a blessing to you. :-)
Elizabeth Marro said…
Hi, Ella! Sorry to be here late but so glad I found your blog through Mark's bloghop. I'm from New Hampshire, right next to Maine. My sisters and niece live there now. it's far from where I live now but my heart and much of my family remain in these lovely northern reaches of our country. I find that so many out here often confuse Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont as if they were interchangeable. All the best to you and your family and thank you for the lovely prayer. I'll try to remember that the angriest people may need my kindness the most.
Brother Ollie said…
What an ode to your home state! Happy New Year!
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Back for another look at your glorious photos. I love your thoughts on spreading kindness. The world needs it.
this is really wonderful, Ella! i've never been to Maine but definitely want to go after the way you described it. i hope you had a truly lovely Christmas! (we did!)

dani