more windows, and a drawing

 

okay, folks, i'm going to step out on a limb here and try something radical (well, two things):  i am here at home with my %)%*$ slow dial up connection, have overdue cleaning to do for dear company that is arriving tomorrow evening for two nights, and i don't have the time, the stamina, or the inclination to list each one of these little windows charms individually on etsy.  i'm going to sell these here, through ornamental, but you'll need to email me directly with your choice(s); payment will be through paypal.  first come first serve, each one is $85.00, plus 5.00 priority shipping (90.00 total).  choices are:

story (SOLD)

be here

teach

light

attune

blue (SOLD)

write (SOLD)

leap (SOLD)

teach

poet

devote

strive

you'll notice that the two "yes, we can" charms aren't on the list.  well.  here's the second thing i've decided:  i'm going to hold a drawing next friday for each of the two charms (or have a friend do it for me, we shall see - i know that lesley knows how to do that automated selection and i may have her conduct the drawing for me).  simply leave a comment here, on this entry, stating the thing or things that give you hope.  that's what those words mean to me, purely and simply put:  h.o.p.e. 

i'll be listing some jewelry pieces on etsy within the next few days.  have a delightful weekend, everyone.  xoxo

Comments

[Olga]

What gives me hope? Now that you ask I wonder.. It's not so easy for me but I can say my family gives me hope. "My Studio" give me hope. Hope that one day I will be able to do just art.
Miss you Nina,
PS: I hope you stepped out side your door today and saw the "The World on Time for Nina package" Thanks for all the Inspiration, again another hopeitem for me.

xoxo

[m]

i am going to think about this and come back... it's a good question! what about you? xo

[sue]

Hi Nina,
The things that give me hope are the random acts of kindness that seem to come my way, sometimes from friends, and occasionally by strangers. I might be naiive, but i honestly believe what goes around, comes around :-)

Happy weekend,
Sue x

[Carol T]

What gives me hope! I am a comprehensive school teacher here in the UK (High school) and sometimes it can be hard to remember that there are kids that appreciate you, but what gives you hope are mornings like today. I was stood outside school at 9, doing my outside yard duty when David our Down syndrome boy comes pelting accross the yard shouting Misssssss and gives me the biggest hug he almost knocks me off my feet. Then says Kiss lips! That's what gives me hope, I am appreciated, maybe not always so demonstrably but I wil take that nay day as a start to a friday!
I love your pieces!

[herhimnbryn]

Ah me! What gives me hope?
Gratuitous acts of kindness.

These pieces are gorgeous Nina. Have a great w/e with your guests.

[Graciel of Evenstar Art]

What gives me hope? The women of the world who share themselves and give of themselves and spread loving kindness at every turn. In a world obsessed with negativity, it is the women who reach out a hand and offer something positive to hold on to, the women who know in their hearts that love is the way...this is what gives me hope.

[Ariane]

My little grandchildren when they're laughing and playing give me hope when I down or stressed out or whatever. Plus I have hope that this world will be even better for them when they grow up.

Ariane

[cheesehead with sticks]

At first one thinks that might be an easy question to answer - until they start to type. gosh!

What gives me hope? A multitude of things - but mostly looking back at where I've been and seeing where I am today, seeing some differences I've made in my life and others'. And of course, my children!

[Pat A.]

what gives me h.o.p.e.......life

[Teresa]

What gives me hope is knowing that when I open my eyes in morning and gently place my feet on the cool, hardwood floors, that are worn with time, that there are people, new & old that have touched my life & I theirs. Hope is knowing that each moment, each breath is a new beginning to make a memory.

[vanessa]

what gives me h.o.p.e? hands held out in support, love and friendship. hands that I can grab on to in times of panic, elation and solitude. hands that soothe and quietly tell me everything will be okay. thank you for holding my hand Nina, even when you don't know you're doing it!
x

[Star]

for me, h.o.p.e. is found in:
* the sameness that is reassuring
* the new discoveries that lead to change
* loved ones who are there to share the joys and the burdens, multiplying the joys and dividing the burdens
* the blessings in each and every day, no matter how trying
* nature

[Susan Goodell]

What gives me hope? My mother. She is recovering from breast cancer with such grace and dignity and yet never feels sorry for herself. Even in her worst moments she was always looking for ways to help others. Knowing the world is full of people like this gives me hope.
Susan

[Erin Gergen Halls]

Interesting timing. I started a new drawing today incorporating a japanese glass "float", the amazing speckled shadow the light through it produced, and typewriter keys that spelled out "hope", along with some natural elements. The drawing will be titled "Hope Floats" and is symbolic of the creek outside my door that has swelled and swelled with all the rain we have had, and the fear of more and more erosion as a result. Regardless, the wildlife that depends on it adapts and continues on with their days. No worry on the face of raccoon. No concern in the eyes of duck, etc.
Hope to me is accepting that life is what you make of it, that if you continue to do your best and dream big life will reward you. The creek will be there to provide, so to speak....
And if that doesnt work I just look at my three childen. They embody all of that and more.

[Judy Wise]

Right now the prospect of a democrat in the white house is giving me hope. Seeing that eight years of error are finally coming to an end. I'm pinning my hopes on Obama; may his decisions be thoughtful and wise.

[Mary]

Each day I am able to open my eyes and get out of bed fills me with the hope of all that is to come, of all good things yet to unfold. Of course my family is woven into this blanket of hope. They make it all possible.

[Brandy]

I just LOVE your work!
What gives me hope: nature in all its perfection, truth, and forgiveness.
And the evolution of the human soul.
Thank you for asking us such an important question.

Brandy

[Debbie]

What gives me hope is the smile on my daughters face every time I walk through the door..even after losing her father to an accidental overdose in August, and then being diagnosed with Crohns disease in January, this little 13 year old has a huge heart and a big hug for me the minute she wakes up in the morning..her faith in my love for her, fills me with hope.

[Michelle]

I'm finding hope hard to come by at the moment, even though I know it's THE thing I need to find and hold onto. My mum is battling breast cancer and we learnt 2 weeks ago that it has spread to her bones and lungs. But she keeps reminding me that there is always hope. In fact, my whole life has been filled with her showing me that there is always hope. And since I became a mum myself, the precious time I spend with my beautiful son fills me with hope for the future.

[Olwyn Hughes]

What gives me hope? So many things...the sweetness of my daughter's face as she moves between being a young girl and a young woman; I know this world is already a better place for having her in it. The look of awe on the face of one of my students today as we released butterflies; what a delight to see that butterfly perched so trustingly on her finger! My friend walking with her daughter - a dreamed for child come to be in their family from far away China. A flower unfurling its petals in the sunlight after a spring rain; the yearly arrival of my hosta plants (how do they know to grow again each year with such simplicity and perfection?). Good friends surviving breast cancer; my father finding himself again after a leg amputation and heart attack. Knowing that this too shall pass when life throws me challenges and remembering that I am strong enough to meet those challenges. And, last but not least, any song by India.Arie - most especially her song, There's Hope.

[Denise S]

Hope is sometimes all we have.
When my son was diagnosed with MDS 4 1/2 years ago there didn't seem to be a lot of hope. He survived a stem cell transplant and all I could do was hope that one of his brothers or his little sister might be a match. I remember the agony of waiting for the phone call that would tell us not 1 but 2 siblings matched him.There have been at least 3 times since then we had to face the possibility that he might not pull through.He is my hero and hope has pulled me through days,months,and now years.

Everyday is another day of hope:)

[fromthepines]

A giveaway? Yippee! At first thought of the yes we can- I thought of Obama and then you asked what gave me hope and it would be the same answer. I am up in Canada and I hope for change.

Thanks NIna! Loved all your pictures of New Zealand -it's on my top 10 list.
Cheryl

[Tina in McLeansville]

Hope, you say? Hmmmm...My children, my grandson, the sun coming up each morning, random acts of kindness, listening to the nest of baby birds that just hatched outside my living room window, my mom who has stage 4 cancer and my dad who is caring for her as best he can with my help, and my friends who help hold me up some days......Hope for tomorrow, strength for today. What else can we ask? This is way deep, Nina B....

[Adrienne]

When I awaken I have hope.

When I look back on the past and reflect on the hard times that I thought I couldn't make it through I have hope.

When I see the strong women in my life surviving and persevering I have hope.

When I see my little boy make it through 3rd grade, as tough as it was I have hope.

When I see a cousin graduate I have hope.

When I see my husband do anything for his family I have hope.

When I lie down I have hope.

With God I have hope.

[Jonna]

Puppy breath. That's what gives me hope.

[Pattie Mosca]

h.o.p.e

My hope is to continue to define myself...to erase a bit here...add a bit there...make this side a little more colorful or that one more subdued...to add the depth of experience. I hope to continue to be a work in progress forever.
Thank you Nina for your words...for your art...for the wonderful person who is uniquely YOU...

[Shirley]

When I speak to my grandchild on the phone and before she dashes off to live her life she always sends me a quite verbal kiss. Do I melt? Of course I do. But the love radiating out of her is one of the things that give me hope. Love gives me hope/

Along with that, H.O.P.E. is a personal favoirte word of mine. When I pray that hope will reign supreme I take the word to mean Hope On
Peace Everywhere!

Enjoy yor weekend, dear Nina and don't work too hard.
Xo
Sassi

[Mary]

Oh Nina - hope surrounds me and penetrates my very being every day. When I awake, I hope first, that both my husband and I will continue to be cancer free.
I hope to see all my grandchildren grow, graduate from college, and continue to forge their individual paths to fulfilling, creative and love-filled lives.
I hope for a world where peace reigns and hunger and disease will be eradicated.

Your latest photos are amazing. To wear a piece of your exquisite jewelry .......well I'm hoping for that too!
Thanks for the e-mail and glad you watched that wonderful movie - yes the music was just beautiful.
Have a lovely weekend - hope it's cooler your way - Raleigh is still so hot.
Fondly - Mary (ACROSS THE POND)

[Kate Robertson]

Nina,

I see hope all around the blogging world. There are so many artists who share so much and that really gives the rest of us the hope and encouragement we need to explore our own true selves in artistic and creative ways. Thanks for being one who always gives me hope,

Kate

[Cristina Leonard]

I live in Iowa where right now there is massive flooding. The past few days I have watched my community pull together and sandbag neighborhoods to try to save strangers homes. Today a call for volunteers went out to help move books from the university library and sandbag the building and hundreds of people showed up to help. That truly gives me hope.

[bobbi]

The Light....and that it returns each day.

[Corrine]

Hope?
It's everywhere!
Sometimes though we need to be reminded. I feel hope when I see new born lambs....new born anything actually...sunshine after rain, don't forget about rainbows...spring flowers, children playing in snow, new seasons fruit, a full moon rise above the mountains, Autumn leaves, A hot pot of soup on a cold winters day. The flight of the falcon...even when it's after my hens!!
But mostly I think HOPE is for the tasks we set ourselves. HOPE is what gives us courage to try new things ...well courage full stop I guess. Without HOPE you can't have trust either...In fact when I think of it HOPE is what gets me out of bed every morning. HOPE is there too before each and every achievement...for all of us. lol and that's being far too serious for a Saturday

[darlene]

when i held my baby in my arms and he passed away, his tiny warmth flooding through me before leaving, i thought i wouldn't ever hope again but here i am smiling and loving and enjoying the way the sun comes up, the seasons dance new growth, i plant a seed and plants grow large ... the beautiful joyous persistance of life gives me hope. : )

i am a huge fan of your beautiful work and a huge fan of hope so i simply had to delurk ... smiles and hugs

[Valaine]

Morning dew, my children's laughter, my husband walking through a doorway looking for me, my daddy's hugs, flowers that bloom from seeds we've planted, rain showers glistening through the sunlight, rainbows appearing as my children dance in warm street puddles, memories of my children, thoughts of them growing up, being with them and really being present, kind eyes, people who listen... these give me hope.

[søren]

Well, it it cheating since it's a YES WE CAN charm to say that Barack Obama gives me hope? :) I will think of other things, but for now... the Supreme Court's habeas corpus decision the other day. My state and now California legalizing gay marriage.
Later I will be back with a list of non-political things. :)

[Jen Crossley]

What gives me the most hope in this world is my dear son Matthew hope that they will find a cure to help him and many like him.HOPE for my son
Jen

[Claire]

Seeing a beautiful smile on my child's face gives me hope.

[kim]

wow, this is really hard....
seeing the light of a new day with jj at my side gives me hope and my daughter telling me she loves me and those furry faces i deal with every day......
xoxoxoxox

[Eunice]

What gives me hope? My grandson's laughter, and his baby sister's beautiful little face.

[Jenny]

HOPE:
honesty
opportunity
peace
equality

[brenda bliss]

what gives me hope?
...each new day......
hope......that beautiful things will happen..
flowers will bloom, my family will smile, the phone will ring,..and that I will remember to tuck each one of these small treasures into my heart's pocket.....
hope to you,
brenda bliss

[Paula]

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” Albert Einstein

[missy]

I work every weekend with patients who have the disease of Addiction. Their courage to change thru the help of each other is overwhelming...life is a gift.
Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Missy from the bayou

[Tina]

There are so many things it's difficult to choose. The endless joy and enthusiasm of my sweet sweet boy first and foremost. Next would be unexpected gestures of kindness. Oh, and all that conspired to make Jen Lemen's trip to Rwanda a reality. Read more here http://jenlemen.com/blog/

I hope you're well and recovered from your trip my dear.

[andra hepler]

hope..hmmm..that is really a tough one. There's difference between hope and want. I want the day to be...is a desire...i hope the day will be...is almost more spiritual. I guess my internal spirit .gives me "hope" each day even when that day might have been crap. That spirit keeps me hoping that the next day will be better. To me it is a positive feeling...hope is the glass half full not half empty.
smiles your way, andra

[Erin Perry]

The biggest and best thing that gives me hope is that next Tuesday here in California, my partner Margot and I can walk into the county clerk's office and get a marriage license! We're having the ceremony on June 30th and can't wait to finally be "legal". This is such a shining ray of hope, but then it always is when hate and intolerance are overcome by love and acceptance.
Erin in Morro Bay

[Jeannie]

Mother Nature gives me hope. Natural/manmade disasters, seasons, quirks - nothing stops her from continuing to create a beautiful place to live. I need to be more like her, able to rebound and regrow after setbacks, to enjoy what I have created, and to just be. Have a great weekend.

[m i c h e l l e]

Well you seriously got my mind going in the direction that Barack Obama gives me hope!!! What a hopeful and exciting time we are in right now! Also, the gift of each new day gives me hope. Thank you!

[Jean Van Brederode]

What gives me hope - no question - my grandchildren, Colton, Jack, & Annabelle Rose!!!!

[connie carpenter macko]

Oh my... I was actually looking at some smiling, laughing children today while shoping before I read this and smiled(and it hasn't been very smiley lately)I got flowers from my husband for the first time in 15 years this week (and no one was "bad")? Spring follows winter every year - and that is at the heart of it!

[Steph]

When I teach kids , it gives me hope ... To see them grow, to see them try things, change things, talk about things ... so yes, teaching gives me hope, helping kids to become the adults of tomorrow gives me hope ...

[Jacquelene L.]

hope for me is my faith in God, because these days if I didn't have faith I would be completely hopeless. My husband is seriously ill, maybe MDS he is only 50, after months of blood transfusions weekly and shots, no definate answers. He sees a different specialist in Aug. So we wait and pray and hope for a miracle.
Hope for me is also the love of my 2 beautiful grandchildren, I never realized how much overflowing love little children could give me until they came into my heart and life.
Jacquelene L.
Canada

[Deb G]

Spooky that I'd find this today. I'm thinking a lot about hope, need a lot of it right now.

Hope comes from people whom you know and love being there when it's needed. Hope comes from strangers who will do what they can. And hope seems to be coming from somewhere deep inside myself.

[Bridget]

Looking into my grandchildrens faces and seeing the happiness of being young and loved.

[Bridget]

Looking into my grandchildrens faces and seeing the happiness of being young and loved.

[Linda Lynch]

What gives me hope is getting a second chance at life after a near death experience with cancer. I see hope in the budding trees, the glorious flowers, a baby's chubby little hands and feet, a little puppy enjoying life, and oh so much more! I love your art, have taken your class, love your stories, share a mutual friend, my "Aussie Sis" Jenny Crossley who arrives in my home on Monday!!!!!!! Keep on creating your lovely art Nina!

[Joei, Rhode Island]

Hope is what rushes in with every breath ... sometimes it comes in gulps and gasps, sometimes it's not even noticed, but without it there is nothing in this life.

Enjoying your visit Downunder immensely.

Joei
Rhode Island

[gina armfield]

The belief that I am here for a greater reason - that there is a bigger picture - a greater and higher consciousness and purpose - btw have a great visit with katie and say hi for me!

[Shelli]

Hope, for me, is a powerful force. Thursday June 19th will be the fifth anniversary of my husbands near fatal accident at work. On June 19th 2003, 2 days before his 36th birthday, my husband suffered a chemical brain injury in the barn he managed. That day I lost some of the man I married, our five children lost a little of their father, and we all gained an appreciation for life and the power of hope.
Hope is seeing him pain free for a few hours everyday, something it has taken four and a half years to accomplish. Hope is seeing him get up each day and continue forward. HOPE is the fuel which powers change.

[Julie H]

Hi Nina,
I often think of myself as a bit of a glass half full girl, and yet when I tried to narrow what gives me hope down to just one thing I could not.
There is hope in the first stems of winter bulbs pushing dirt up as they go. There is hope in the bellies of mothers and in the hearts of fathers. There is hope in the eager steps of my little dog as he dances towards me. There is hope in the eyes of my students on the first day of every year. So many things, along with my Jesus, to give me hope each and every day.

[Dawn Smith]

What gives me hope? God, His word, Jesus Christ who died to take away the sins of the world, my sons in their grown-up roles of husband, father, head of the family, my granddaughters' shining eyes and smiles, my teenaged students who wear rebellious clothing and open the door for me as I enter the building. I am full of hope tonight.

You asked.

[Lesley]

If I do the drawing am I still eligible for the win! I hope so but I doubt anyone would think it wasn't fixed! LOL.

[Nancy Moore]

Hope is being able to get up each morning and feel damn glad you've got another day to just live!

[sandy]

What gives me hope?

Remembering I'm not a victim, that I always have a choice about any situation in which I find myself.

[Mary Ellen Kundrat]

Hope comes to me in the smallest of gestures of everyday life. Hope comes through me as a smile, a welcome, a hand to hold. Hope comes back to me in prayer and peace.

[jamie j]

Giving me Hope daily are the Kind,Caring and very Talented people I have met around the World thru this Computer. To meet people who I can stop in and visit with, get inspiration from and who alway have such kind words to say, Give me Hope. I know there are Wonderful People in this World cuz I meet them everyday thru my work. I Hope your Weekend is Wonderful, Jamie

[robruhn]

H.O.P.E. Helping Other People Evolve. It starts at birth and continues through life, I've watched my two daughters and now my grandchildren. This gives me so much hope and joy.

[Chris Meissner]

Dear Nina, Wonderful window charms! “Faith (hope) is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.” Tagore
Thank you for sharing with us!

[DJ]

Hope comes from many directions -- acts of kindness for no reason, the cancer patient fighting the odds with grace and dignity, people standing on their own fighting for their freedom and people struggling everyday just to get by but not calling themselves a "victim" or blaming anyone else for their troubles. And on a lighter note, hoping I win. I too live in a remote area with the &%$#@*&^ dial-up but wouldn't trade it for the world.
DJ

[beth emery]

hope means very simply my two most precious treasures; Deborah, age 5, and Abigail, age 2

[sabrina]

my son gives me hope. he's an amazing kid and he recently showed me how caring he is by helping a woman whose husband was beating her. broad daylight,on a public street,and nobody stopped except for my son. my son is my hope and gives me hope that the young men in this world are caregivers and not abusers.

[Heather Bradley]

Wowee, oh wowee, I wish I wasn't on a budget! What a wonderful collection!

What gives me hope? The list is long and varied and changes from day to day, but here's my top ten:
10. My dogs' wagging tails when I come home: love can be unconditional.
9. Doing art with children: we can work unencumbered by doubt.
8. A New Mexico blue sky day: we haven't completely destroyed our environment.
7. A new flower bud peeking out of the greenery: preciousness is to be found everywhere.
6. A smile and a laugh from my teenage son: even in the darkness there is light.
5. A smile and a wave from a complete stranger: kindness is alive.
4. The proliferation of good thoughts and ideas on the internet: people DO want to acheive connectivity and understanding across vast distances (actual or metaphorical).
3. Meeting people doing amazing, but simple things, like volunteering: we want to care for each other.
2. A penny on the street: luck is where you seek it out.
1. A older couple holding hands: love is possible at any age.

Thanks for reminding me of these things that get captured in the back of my mind, but lost in the day to day shuffle!

[lisa]

my 6 week old daughter gives me hope. she's my miracle.

[Ellen Lyn]

Early spring, the first snowfall, the joy in my daughter's eyes when she dances, the determination in my son's voice as he struggles to read a new word and most of all, the love of my family.

[beccajo]

OMG how exciting!

the universe's positive responses to my art gives me hope that i can one day make a living at being an artist! whoo hoo!

i hope i hope i hope i win one of these pieces! oooooooooh!

[Little Oaktree]

Flowers gives me hope.

[beth]

I love how you have inspired so many with just a simple question of
what gives you h.o.p.e......

Hope for me is found in my college student who works with a man paralyzed from the waist down, because she enjoys his company and then volunteers at the minimal security men's prison in their "family room" to help them deal with their feelings when they are let out.

Hope for me is also found in my high school son who is spending part of his summer as a camp couselor working with children ages 8-11 and having to get up every morning at 6AM with a smile on his face and his body ready to run ragged for the next 12 hours.

Hope for me is that I've raised two great kids that have hearts full of hope.

And I'm also hopeful for some of your wonderfulness to rub off on me when I get to take your class at VR late this summer !!
beth
www.moredoors.blogspot.com

[Carolyn Martyn]

HOPE to me, Nina, is that all efforts to raise money for a 'cure for cancer' by way of Jackson County Relay For Life, will be rewarded in my lifetime.
2 times Survivor,
Carolyn
Cullowhee

[Linda]

What gives me hope?
that humans, you and me have to ability to adapt to wahtever life throws our way, it might be hard and sad and depressing at the time, but somehow we come through it and can influence to people around us and just keep going
Linda

[Patricia Eaton]

Nina, On any given day, I can come to my computer, go to some of my favorite blogs.....like YOURS...and be cheered up, inspired, informed, motivated and enthused. Thru blogging, I have come to realize that the world isn't going to hell in a hand basket....not while there are people like you who remind us that it's the little, often over-looked, simple, beautiful things of life that are important in life...and worth sharing. And, if we're sharing....we are improving life around us. That's what gives me hope! Thanks for all you do...Pat at birdnestontheground

[Pam Chiasson]

What gives me Hope is God. I have Hope that my life is a journey and God has good and wonderful things today tomorrow and in the future for me. I still have hope even when things can be so painful. I have hope in God!

[keli]

when i am able to be at peace within myself - my community - i have hope - and that hope is often for continued peace - expanding peace. when i'm in that place it's like floating and when i'm not i question how i let myself leave.

without peace...it is hard to have hope...so yes...it sounds a bit like a beauty contestant speech...but peace gives me hope for peace ...and that peace takes us to hope...which takes us to more peace.

now i'll make my exit before the swimsuit competition...as that would not conjure peace or hope for that matter.

thank you for putting our focus on hope...

[Debra Abel]

Two things give me hope, "laughter" is one, and "smiles" are another.

[Kim]

Yes we can - yes we will.

Not to sound false and disingenuous, but I have found much solace and hope at Ornamental. Your work and life journey brings beauty and inspiration into my world - especially on days when I feel lost and hopeless. It's not that my life is particularly wretched or bleak - it's not. I have much to be thankful for, but the loved ones in my life can't seem to understand my need to create or my creations.

You once told me to let it all out, Nina. Thank you for giving me permission to hope.

Yes I can - yes I will.

[Joanie Hoffman]

Believing that Someone hears my prayers of gratitude gives me hope.
Of course, my son & grandchildren & dogs sure do make me smile!

[Lesa]

What gives me hope? Life in general gives me hope. As long as we're alive there is hope for the future and all of us.

I don't wear jewelry because I hate the commercial/fake things I see all around, but a piece from you would be treasured forever.

[Linda Hagberg]

"Hope is the song in your heart"

[Lorelei]

My small neice and nephew. Since I haven't been able to have children yet, these babies give me hope each time I see them. :)

[Barbara]

For me, my belief in God is what gives me hope. Trusting in Him and believing that He has a plan for me.
Another thing that gives me hope is the inspired youth of our world...those young people to strive to make a difference and make the world a better place.

[Chris]

My middle name is Hope, and because of that, I often meditate on what hope is and what I hope for. It changes quite often, but I've found through the years that one constant is a hope that life will always offer up more to learn and more to discover. So many of us allow routine and worries to tire us of living. But there are always new things around every corner and life changes all the time. I hope all to have innocent hearts that never tire of living.

[sue pieper]

There's so much that gives me hope for so many things, but knowing that there are good, honest, kind hearted folks who walk this earth, even when you turn on the news & it's depressing and even when someone hurts us, and when life can seem too difficult and you wonder what's the point-there's still hope as long as I can know that people like you walk this earth. You, my friend, and those who surround you, are hope!

[wendy from NZ]

i hope that nina continues with her blog forever because not only do we get to read her wonderful words but all of you woman who have answered a call for hope show me that out in this world no matter where we live or what we are doing we all share a common bond....our hopes and dreams for something!

In the words of Mattie Stepanek who suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy and who at 12 years old has written a book called "Hope through Heartsong"

when the moon sets over your shoulder and the sun rises bright towards your face whats in the middle? your life is, filled with choices, for each moment each place, we live between the past and the future in the moment of our here, now, today, can we cope with the daily life stresses if we humbly accept, we must pray.....

these words evolve from my spirit, my
everyday experiences what inspires me to go on, like everyone sharing their heartsong
with me.....

[bethany]

God gives me hope. Believing in his love and that I may one day discover His true purpose in designing me, that gives me hope. Some days it's just hard and then I look around at the many blessings we have and I know we're here for a purpose. A love of family, animals and nature all such enjoyment they give me hope. And I also hope and pray that friends like I hope you become have time for things forgotten, things remembered and most of all things that seem to lack hope. HOPE

[Lisa]

Innocence.

[nancyk]

HOPE, hope lives down the street. her name is arreanna. she is in 2nd grade. she has honey colored eyes, a big smile and lots of hugs.
she comes to play with me when all the other kids are gone. she knows a big kid when she see one ( 56 years young) she makes me laugh, she makes me ponder, she gives me hope. i am in love with this soul. she is the pure light of hope.
thanks i needed to share her. xxx0x0x0x00x0x

[Jacky]

When I look at my two gorgeous sons I see HOPE.
I hope with all of my being that they have happy and healthy lives. So young and the world holds so much in store for them. They are wonderful young men and I am very proud of them. They look at everything so positively and they have a wonderful respect for others. I hope they retain their positive outlook on life.

I read the earlier comments of hope and see the hardships people are enduring and also the hope they realise from their families, their art, their friends, nature.... there is a lot to be thankful for in this world.

Very thought provoking Nina and it does us all good to stop and ponder these things...the world is such a busy place these day. Thank you.

[Joolz]

blue skies

[sue p]

Hope, is the thing I cling to to survive, without hope, I would have never become strong enough to weather what life thows at me. I see hope as a life preserver on ocean of turmoil.

[Velma Bolyard]

Hope whips me into form when I want to give up, promising a new day after the long night, laughter without rancor, the cool breeze of a North Country autumn. Hope springs from the friendship of my loves, the continuity of the word from the past, the dawning each day.

[Mary-Beth]

These pieces are amazing Nina!!!

What gives me hope is the realization that everything changes. Nothing ever stays the same. Even at the worst times, something always happens that gives me hope that it will get better.