the simple charm of a daisy

my pic

"The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the violet of it's scent nor the daisy of it's simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose it's loveliness."

{I Am} ~ Entry For Bethan's Challenge

{my pic}

The sand is warm between my toes, and I dig my feet in deeper, into the unbelievable softness of shells that have been crushed and ground up by the mighty sea. 

The ocean is blue, so blue...the white foam tumbles onto the shore and then slowly fades as it sinks back into the rolling waters.

The sun is shining, bright and hot. My back is heated from it's rays, and the warmth seeps into me, filling me. Now and then I try and look it in the face, but it is too bright, and instead I let it stare down at me, while I meekly look away.

 There are only a few clouds, white and puffy against the saturated, bold sky. They are beds for sky dolphins - or at least, in my imagination, they are.

A few kids kick around a soccer ball, racing, laughing, teasing. Others swim in the water, splashing at each other and screeching.

And I just sit. I sit on the white, shimmery sand and bury my feet in it.

But I am awake. I am alive. I am alert. I can hear everything, see everything, feel everything around me. My senses feel as though they are breathing, breathing in the world. I'm picking up everything that is going on around me...but I'm not.

I put a lock of hair behind my ear. I'm just a girl, a soul, a living thing, a human being.
And in one small moment,
everything is so simple.

I belong.

I'm alive.

I'm free.

I'm me.

My heart beats steady against my chest, as if it wants to be let out. I remember one of my favorite quotes; 'Hearts are wild creatures, that's why our ribs are cages.'

So it keeps on thumping.
The waves roar.
The sun burns.
The clouds drift.
The children play
I sit.

And just for a few minutes...

...all I do...
...is be.
I am.

~~~

{Quote credit to Clayton Steele}

So, what did you think of that? I'm entering it in Bethan's writing challenge.

Before I sign off, I have something to say...
I'm really sorry that I've barely been blogging, I've barely been answering comments, I've barely being designing blogs (to those on the waiting list, I am sorry, but I WILL get there, I will), and I've barely been alive in the blogging world.
Life gets hectically busy, and I freak out. I ask God all the time, 'How will I cope? How do I get it all done?'. But He has been so good, and He has guided me.
Anyway, hopefully, I'll be around a bit more often soon, people.
Thank you for reading. ♥

the winners of my July writing challenge are...

Thank you so much to those who entered my writing challenge! You're too kind. :) And all of the entries were lovely.

But...

The winner is...

Madeline with her entry, 'Her Soul was Alight'.

I found it so beautiful, and so true about a lot of people I know, people who encourage me and make me feel like my soul could be alight like theirs.

In second place, it's...

Eve with her entry, 'Ferris Wheel of Life'.

I really loved that, Eve. Your writing was wonderful, and I congratulate you.

Now, there are two other entries that I loved...I was sad that I was only supposed to choose too winners...but here's a shout out to two others:

Melody's entry,

and

Bethan's entry-

were both absolutely lovely.

Thanks, again, to everyone who entered. ♥

You and I (not a One Direction song)

OK, so, as you can see above, this post is not on a One Direction song. Though, surprisingly, I do like their song, 'You and I'...
Back to the point. I'm so sorry I've been absent of late, it has been busy-- but I never, ever, want to stop blogging, and I keep lagging. Lagging, like, falling behind in the blogging world, because, um, other things took up a few slightly empty spaces in my life, and then grew bigger until they were squeezing blogging out of it's own space.
I made a poem to apologize. :) (If it's a good enough apology?) Oh, and don't worry, a lot of people would think that I'm depressed when they read this poem, but I'm really, really, not. I was just letting my creativity wander about the place...sort of...well, I enjoyed myself, and I hope you enjoy this poem.

---

You and I

When you fall
you blame the person to your side
You set up walls
then ask me why I don’t step inside

I’m tired of
You
I don’t get
You
I don’t know
You
But yet
I can’t let go of you

You dress in black
you shout at those who clothe in white
Your hands are slack
you shout at those who take off the night

And I want to leave
You
I just don’t get
You
But you're like my shadow
And I just can't let go

Sometimes you can really shine
I start thinking it’s gonna be the start of a change
But after awhile it fades to grime
and then I’m left feeling indecisive and strange

Why rise so high
only to drop
Why go so far
only to stop

Oh, why start writing the story
when finished it will never be

Yes, you know
that I don’t get you
I may be a little slow
but it’s been so long
since I met you-
and I still don’t get you

The thing that worries me most
is that I am something I don’t want to be
Maybe I’m only holding on
only, only because you remind me of me

If you and I are the same
I guess we both take the blame
Both of us can clearly see
that we are who we shouldn’t be

It’s a perfect fit
because when I look in the mirror
what I see in it
is too hard for me to figure out
I don’t get it

The mist has finally cleared away
and I know today will be the day
I finally realize
I see who’s eyes
I’m looking into
and it’s not you
It’s me-
a perfect reflection
of me.

I don’t get

Me

I don’t know

Me

I want to leave

Me

But I can’t let go

I cannot let go

of me-

not while there is still

a chance.

I know

there is a chance.

The Sunshine Award (again)

image above was made by Bethan

This is the second time I'll be doing the Sunshine award...thank you so much to Sarah from Sarah Plain & Average, and to Eve from Eve of Womanhood.

The rules:
-Thank the person who nominated you.
-Answer the questions the person who nominated you asked.
-Nominate a few other bloggers.
-Write the same amount of questions for the bloggers you nominated.
-Notify the bloggers you nominated on their blog.
-Put the award button on your blog. (I'm gonna skip this last rule)

EVE'S QUESTIONS:

If you could live in a fictional land (like in a book or movie), which one would it be and why?
-Answer: OK, a lot of people use that question for their award question, and I'm always stubbed by it. So...I don't have an answer.
Favorite book?
-Answer: I'm afraid I can't choose between Divergent and The Hunger Games. In fact, there are so many wonderful novels/books (the literature world is big indeed) and I can't choose at all. I love them all...and let's not forget the Bible. It has so many captivating stories.

Do you believe in fairies? -says in Wendy's British acent- ;)
-Answer: This may disappoint a few, but no. Sorry, Tinker Bell.
What is your favorite food?
-Answer: All kinds! But I probably love chocolate, ice cream and pizza most. So very healthy, I know.
What time period do you think you would fit in most? Why?
-Answer: Right now, because pretty much, I love my life. (Most of the time.)
Biggest pet peeve?
-Answer: Washing dishes.
Are there any Fandoms that you're not crazy about?
-Answer: Yes, there is. Doctor Who is a fandom, I believe, and I am not crazy about it. And, let's see...some people say that they are in the fandom of Pride & Prejudice, which I am not, because I haven't read the books or watched the movies. Also, I'm not crazy about Lord of The Rings.
What is the weirdest dream you've ever had?
-Answer: (One) of the weirdest dreams I've had is weird because, even these days, I still wake up and think it's real even though I have only had it once. It goes like this...It was my fourth birthday party, and there was a huge ice cream cake. I couldn't finish my piece, so I put it in the freezer, for later. I woke up believing it. So I ran to the freezer to look for it, and it wasn't there. The problem was, it was so real.
I was four when I had that dream, and I still wake up thinking that it's real sometimes. And then it hits me. Don't laugh. About it having to come to me again every time, or about how strange and awkward I sound when I explain my dreams. Haha...
What is something you're going to miss about Summer?
-Answer: Well, where I live, it's Winter right now. But I can tell you what I am busy missing about Summer:
1. I can't swim anymore. The water is too cold...
2. The sunshine. It's a lot sunnier in Summer where I live - during Winter is rainy season.
3. The watermelon. I love watermelon.
4. The sound of the fan at night. (That sound lulls me to sleep, and we're not supposed to have it on in Winter)
5. Shorts. They are just so comfortable...
6. The holiday spirit because Christmas is just around the corner. (Yes, my Christmas is in Summer)
And, that is the end of the lovely Eve's questions. 

SARAH'S QUESTIONS:

What color are your eyes? What would your dream color be (if any)?
-Answer: Well...some people say that my eyes are green, and some say blue, but mostly grey. So, I have grey eyes. My dream color would probably be a deep, but quite dark, blue...like it says in the book Divergent by Victoria Roth, about Tobias's eyes: a dreaming, sleeping, waiting color.
How tall are you?
-Answer: Somewhere in the 5's. (Measuring in feet)
If you could be ONE fictional character, who would it be and why? (This applies to books and films)
-Answer: That's hard. I can't say.
Would you prefer a walk in the sunshine, or a stroll by the light of the moon?
-Answer: Me? I think I'd prefer a stroll by the light of the moon, but I do so enjoy sunny walks as well.
What would your dream profession be? (For example, if my life had taken a different path, I would have wished to become a professional ballerina.)
-Answer: To be honest, I love what I do. Don't have any other dream profession...but I'm finding new things out about myself all the time, so we'll see.
What is at the top of your To-Be-Read pile, or skyscraper?
-Answer: Hmm...there are a lot of books I'd like to read...but. I. Don't. Have. One. In. Particular. Can you believe that? I always have, and now I don't. Maybe Pride & Prejudice.
But please be a dear and suggest books to me in a comment below!
If you had a "pet" dragon, what color would he/she be? And what would his/her name be? Feel free to be creative.
-Answer: She would be blue, and I would call her Alaska. (The name Alaska from one of John Green's books "Looking For Alaska". I was inspired)
If you were to discover that you were the long-lost princess of a distant realm, what would be your first reaction?
-Answer: Disbelief.
What is your favorite book of the Bible? Favorite verse?
-Answer: Psalms has always been my favorite, because it's like poetry...nah, it is poetry. David was very artistic. I don't have a favorite verse. Maybe 'For God so loved the world' - that verse, because it's comforting to know that He sent Jesus for me. And everyone else. For everyone.

Do you have a dream car? If so, what is it?
-Answer: Definitely a cream colored mini cooper. I love those cars.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE I NOMINATE:

1. Do you believe in the phrase/saying: what doesn't break you makes you stronger?
2. Are you a chatty person? -Or- a quiet person who thinks a lot?
3. Do you like freckles, or not?
4. What food would you most like to eat right now? (You can choose anything, don't limit yourself to what is in the house.)
5. What song gets stuck in your head most?
6. Are you a collector, of anything?
7. Do you have a favorite actress? Who is she?
8. Are you left handed or right handed?
9. Tigers or lions?
10. Would you rather read a fictional novel or a historical novel?

THE PEOPLE I NOMINATE:

Lauren + from Pretty Things & Polka Dots
Jenny + from Artsy Peacock 
Madeline + from In The Wind
and
Cindy + from Eat. Sleep. Read. Fangirl.

Plus, the first person who comments: Ombre pancake.