Quick Takes

Quick Takes

I’ve created a Quick Takes section that has short descriptions and photographs of places to visit—mostly around the Pacific Northwest. It’s a growing list of places with brief descriptions based on our journeys and breathtaking scenery. Below are three new “Takes” from the section. These are beautiful places worth checking out.

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PICTURE IT WELL: realize your inner strength

This image of Mount Shuksan symbolizes strength, Endurance, foundation, stillness, purity, and perspective. Located in cascade mountains, washington state. © GIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY 2020

This image of Mount Shuksan symbolizes strength, Endurance, foundation, stillness, purity, and perspective. Located in cascade mountains, washington state. © GIVEN PHOTOGRAPHY 2020

Realize your inner strength. Life coach and motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, suggests that many of us are stronger than we think we are. A strong inner self can help us remain calm and resilient when adversity strikes. But how often do you draw from your internal resources to get you through tough times? Resilience, empathy, mindfulness, self-compassion, confidence, openness, determination, patience, and gratitude are all characteristics of inner strength. These attributes are what brings peace and purpose to your life for the long haul. They are your well-spring.

Use the stillness and beauty of this season to help you explore and tap into your own unique inner strength.

Peace and joy to all.

PICTURE IT WELL photos from givenphoto.com symbolize some aspect of well-being. The brief text is meant to inspire you and demonstrate the uplifting power of nature.

Back to more Picture it Well posts

A calming backyard meditation

A calming backyard meditation

I still remember the first time I meditated more than 10 years ago. It was Christmas time and I had picked up a how-to book at a used bookstore. I sat on the floor next to our Christmas tree, closed my eyes, focused on the in and out of my breath and immediately fell asleep. Not exactly what I was expecting.

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Need to get centered? Try an easy grounding activity

Need to get centered? Try an easy grounding activity

During foreboding times like these, look to the earth’s healing power to help ward off your fears. Grounding or sometimes called earthing is a powerful technique that will help you harmonize your energy. The effects of this ancient practice, which can be traced back thousands of years in Chinese medicine, might seem mysterious, but there is science behind this technique, which connects your energy with the earth’s magnetic field.

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Seven ways to keep walking in cold weather months

 Seven ways to keep walking in cold weather months

English author Alfred Wainwright, said, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” In his book “Coast-to-Coast Walk,” he writes of a 192-mile long-distance footpath across England that is still popular today.

I’m not talking about a trek like that here,

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PICTURE IT WELL: learn to love solitude

PICTURE IT WELL: learn to love solitude

Spending time alone in nature is a good way to quell anxiety. It has been well researched and reported that when you spend time in nature you can tap into its natural uplifting energy. Before you know it, your curiosity will kick in, you’ll become interested in your surroundings, and your persistent negative thoughts will dwindle. Do it often and nature will become your go-to-place to feel better.

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Nine things the longest living people on earth have in common

Nine things the longest living people on earth have in common

Recently I’ve been reading about Blue Zones—a fascinating research-based movement focused on healthy longevity. Its research is based on five regions around our planet where the healthiest people live—many of them centenarians.

The people in these five regions have nine things in common (see list below) that contribute to their long lives.

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Nature your spirit for the holiday season

Nature your spirit for the holiday season

The razzle-dazzle of a lit up city with throngs of people during the holiday season always makes me feel all...well...sparkly. 

But put me in the woods or along a beach during the midst of the merriness and I'm instantly in a state of appreciation. And beauty. And joy. And serenity.

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