December 25, Juanita Bellavance, Lessons from the Marshes, From the 25 Days of Minis Portfolio, 2022, Acrylic on panel, 8 x 8 inches, Framed-9.5 x 9.5 inches

"A marsh is a whole world within a world, a different world, with a life of its own, with its own permanent denizens, its passing visitors, its voices, its sounds, its own strange mystery." - Guy De Maupassant

The new year brings so much possibility among what's already established.  Like the marsh, we are a world within a world,  a person within a government and an individual within a whole.  Our power lies within what we choose to do within our small field of influence.  Then the ripple effect takes over. The old profound adage, "Only you can prevent forest fires," is true for kindness, compassion, generosity, gratitude and more. Waiting for others we think have more power only keeps us "in the stands" vs "in the game." 

When I was first married with young children I wasn't happy with where we were located at the time.  In church, there was a song that had a big impact on me, "Bloom Where You're Planted."  I took it to heart and once I became more involved in doing my own small part, I began to enjoy my location more. I feel the same is true in general. "Charity/love beings at home" is another one. In 2023 this is what the marshes show me. Go forward with a life of our own and we'll be too busy creating great things to get caught up in media discouragement and hopelessness.  

Part of our 25 Days of Minis 2022 Collection.  Collect them all!