Thoughts on love, hate, and who really wins in war.

When one travels, it is easy to look in wonder at the big buildings, the different customs, the strange food, and wonder, "What is that for? Who made that? Why do they do it that way?"

The truth is, wonderful things are all around us, no matter where we live.

Nothing like a few garden herbs growing inside in winter to bring back memories of summer. Oh, sunshine, how do I miss thee? Let me count the ways...

Tea, books, knitting, eating, cuddling, chocolate... This is a small celebration of some of my favourite simple pleasures. What makes your list?

Winter arrived yesterday. I miss autumn already.

Some years, the garden just sucks. But this year, my flourishing herbs and giant carrots and surprise petunias all worked together to heal my hurting heart. And I am so grateful for it.

The theme of my life for the last several months has been about becoming brave. My life has become less about protecting myself, and more about how my life can bless others. Sometimes, the things I have done have cost me. But for the most part, they have helped my heart and my courage to grow. Here are some lessons I've learned on the way.

"Harmony make small things grow. Lack of it makes great things decay." - Sallust

"Each day has a story that deserves to be told, because we are made of stories. I mean, scientists say that human beings are made of atoms, but a little bird told me that we are also made of stories." - Eduardo Galeano

"Knit on with confidence and hope in all crises." Elizabeth Zimmerman

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12.

"The fragrance always remains on the hand that gives the rose." - Mahatma Gandhi

Random acts of kindness are one of the sweetest ways to love someone, don't you think?

"Charity should begin at home, but should not stay there." Phillip Brooks

Passing the torch of charitable activism to the next generation...

Obstacles will always be there, right in front of everything you want to achieve or do, from painting a room to building a multi-national company. At the beginning, when there are the most obstacles between you and your goal, it is tempting to focus on those and decide that the end result just isn't worth the effort.

"Death isn't the end, it's a beginning." - Jennifer Love Hewitt