Gems 3.1

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

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Journey Notes

The theme for the month of January is “journey.”  If you have a favorite quote about “journey,” or the journey of life,  please leave a comment! As you may have noticed, we started a new number series.  The Gem today (“3.1.”) begins our third year, and is the first we’ve published.  Happy New Year from all of us!

Your Creations

As always, we would love to feature your creative visions.  When we show each other what we find beautiful, we get a glimpse into each others’ hearts.  If you would like to contribute a photo, poem, story or piece of art for limited use on our website, please send us a note.  You always retain full rights.   Your work will be shared on Instagram with credit, and the link to the page here shared on Twitter and Facebook.

About US

Our About Us page got a update today.  This is our new logo/blurb to explain what we are about in a few words:

under1000skies-logo

May you find joy every day of your journey.

♡. under1000skies

TGIF 6: Big News under1000skies

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s what’s happening this week on ¤ under1000skies ¤

This week we featured three photos from Alisa Reagan

and one from Niki Flow

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Thank you for donating your beautiful photos! ♡

 

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NEWS

We have purchased under1000skies.com and under1000skies.org!

During 2017, we will be working to build both websites and have them up and running as soon as possible.  As you may have read, thanks to Bay Area Web Designers, we received a free year of hosting for our Domestic Violence advocacy and survivor site, Moonsongs.net which will go live by the end of March.  This will be a sister site to under100oskies.org.  Very often, women and children who are victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes become homeless.

 

 

One of our photographers and volunteer coordinator, Niki Flow, spent years with her youngest son homeless.  Niki lost her home and the contents of her home due to DV and stalking.   Most of that time, she and her son did not spend on the street but in DV shelters, with friends and family.  Domestic violence was also the cause of the death of her youngest son, Samuel Christopher.  Since then, Niki and her two older sons, Benjamin and Joseph, have been passionate about helping those who are homeless and who have been through trauma become — not just survivors — but a strong, connected tribe of thrivers.

 

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We’ll be using the Under1000skies.com site for our new store (coming soon!), and 100 percent of the profits from our products sold there will go to buy artist packs.  We’ll be selling things like cards, stationary and mouse pads using Niki Flow’s heart-people drawings, like the one above.  The under1000skies.org site is where we’ll have our artist gallery and daily photos.

 

 

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TGIF:  What It Really Means

T.his G.orgeous (Planner) I.s F.ree!

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This weeks TGIF is a cool #freebiefriday thanks to Liz Stevens Art.  She tweeted this today:

Thanks to for this gorgeous FREE printable planner that I’ve been using for 3 years

The Handmade Home 2017 Planner

I can’t wait to print this and start using it. Such a beautiful gift to the world! *cheering wildly* Thanks so much Ashley and Liz!! ♥

 

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What Do You Find Joyful? Beautiful?

The theme for the month of December is “joy.”  If you have a favorite quote about “joy,”  please leave a comment!  As always, we would love to feature your creative visions.  When we show each other what we find beautiful, we get a glimpse into each others’ hearts.

May you find joy every day.

♡. under1000skies

Gems 2.74

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

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Photo by Niki Flow.  I took this photo on a recent walk. I stood under this beautiful tree and took a quick photo looking straight up.  I didn’t see the heart until I opened it in psp9. Do you see it? =) ♥.

For the Believer

“When people say they can’t see the good coming from the pain, my answer is that it’s not our job to know. It’s God’s. It’s just our job to trust, whether we see it or not, that He brings beauty from the ashes.” -Sara Frankl, Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts

“If this is my life, if this is where I am, then this is where God is, too.” -Sara Frankl, Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts

 

For the Skeptic

These two quotes are really helpful — if you believe in God.  If not, there is still scientific evidence that shifting focus can reduce pain.  This is true physically of course as many Lamaze moms know, but it’s also true for emotional pain as well.

I’ve been in both places — believing in a benign being and believing spirituality is a hoax and a crutch.  In both cases, I found ways to choose joy. I hope you can today too.

Here are a couple of quotes about choices we make in life from a scientist and a skeptic.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”  -Albert Einstein

“We’re born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we’re not alone.”  -Orson Welles

What Do You Find Joyful? Beautiful?

The theme for the month of December is “joy.”  I chose “joy” to honor my sister-in-law Joy  Archer was killed in 1984 after graduating second in her class from MIT.  Our annual Running-for-Joy 5k/1mile walk/run takes place on her birthday December 26th to celebrate her life.  This is held where you are and all are welcome.  We donate to Kiva.org in Joy’s honor but that’s completely optional.  We’ve had several remote participants over the years who run/walk on Joy’s birthday to remember the amazing life she lived in only 23 short years.

If you have a favorite quote about “joy,”  please leave a comment!  As always, we would love to feature your creative visions.  When we show each other what we find beautiful, we get a glimpse into each others’ hearts.

May you find joy every day under1000skies.   ♡.

 

T.G.I.F. 3: This Week under1000skies

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s what’s happening ¤ under1000skies ¤

Gems 2.70

I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving week.  It was a nice break for us, but we’re very happy to be back to share lots of new Gems. Yesterday we shared this image and original poem by Niki Flow.   gems-2-70This month in December, our theme is joy and that includes anything that creates laughter as well.  There’s been a lot of sadness this year, and really tough major issues, for all of us.  Our hearts are pulled all over by our empathy, and every sadness hurts us as well. Laughter is healing.  We need more joy.  If you have any favorite quotes about joy, any photos that express joy in your life, any poems, artwork, or anything that you’ve created with joy or laughter, we’d love to feature your creativity in December.

T.G.I.F. – What It Really Means

20-guys-in-fedoras

TGIF – “Twenty Guys In Fedora” – A Jazztizz Creation

This week’s TGIF is just for fun — an homage to the fedora and 20 guys that make it look good.  You can find this and other photos along with this theme the Pinterest Board:  TGIF – What It Really Means.   If you have any ideas for this board, let us know!  We’re working on a “20 gals” version, so if you have any favorite photos, send them into us!

 

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What Do You Find Beautiful?

As always, we would love to feature your creative visions.  When we know what someone finds beautiful, we get a glimpse into their hearts.

May you find joy every day under 1000 skies.   ♡.

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Gems 2.70

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

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Photo “When Pigs Fly” by Niki Flow.  Special thanks to Holly Newt for the inspiration.

I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving week.  It was a nice break for us, but we’re very happy to be back to share lots of new Gems.

This month in December, our theme is joy and that includes anything that creates laughter as well.  There’s been a lot of sadness this year, and really tough major issues, for all of us.  Our hearts are pulled all over by our empathy, and every sadness hurts us as well. Laughter is healing.  We need more joy.

If you have any favorite quotes about joy, any photos that express joy in your life, any poems, artwork, or anything that you’ve created with joy or laughter, we’d love to feature your creativity in December.

May you find joy every day under 1000 skies.   ♡.

TGIF 2 | This Week Under1000Skies

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s what’s new ¤ under1000skies ¤

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THIS WEEK ON UNDER1000SKIES

This week’s Gems four photos from Niki Flow:  1.  “Solvitur ambulando – It is solved by walking” (Inspired by Nicole Huguenin, Chief Dream Architect, Wild Dream Walks; 2. “Jeweled Clouds with Seagulls;” 3. “Reach Up;” and 4. “Straight Up.”

Three of the quotes shared are part of the Divine Feminine Series, Nos. 19-21 and are from (probably) an ancient Roman mother Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis (when she was 10-years old and known as Jacqueline Lee Bouvier) and Harriet Tubman.

Gems 2.66:  The quote, Solvitur ambulando is attributed many throughout history, and the first written documentation goes back to Ancient Rome.  It’s very possible, however, that the words were first uttered by an exasperated wife or mother.  Women in ancient Rome had few rights but doubtless much wisdom.  “Solvitur ambulando” is simply a tactful way of saying. “Go outside and get out of my hair!”

Gems 2.67:  Jacqueline Kennedy-Onaassis (née Bouvier) (July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994) was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and First Lady of the United States during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.

Gems 2.68:  Harriet Tubman – (c. 1822 – March 10, 1913) was an American abolitionist, humanitarian, and an armed scout and spy for the United States Army during the American Civil War. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some thirteen missions to rescue approximately seventy enslaved families and friends,[2] using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.

Gems 2.69 “Gratitude is the sign of noble souls” was said by Aesop (c. 620 – 564 BCE)  — not a woman, but a perfect quote we thought for a day when many people set aside time for giving thanks.

TGIF:  WHAT IT REALLY MEANS (2)

This week’s TGIF features a really exemplary group of young people in Rhode Island and their idea T.urn G.as I.nto F.uel!

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Project TGIF:   Turn Grease Into Fuel

Project TGIF Donations to Charity
Currently, we have donated a total of 29,000 gallons of BioHeat to seven local charities, including the WARM Shelter, the  Jonnycake Center, Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality, the Welcome House, and the Keep the Heat On program.  This has been used to heat the homes of 290 local families.  The program is able to assist approximately 80 families each year.  The biofuel donations are valued at more than $120,000.

Congrats to the Junior Win Team of Westerly, Rhode Island for this fabulous idea!

Every Friday we’ll also be adding a photo from our Pinterest Board, “TGIF: What It Really Means.”  All are welcome to contribute.  The only criteria is that your description fits the acronym, T.G.I.F. =)

 

NEWS

We have a new page on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/under1000skies/

And a new account on Twitter!   https://twitter.com/under1000skies

We just purchased the domain, “under1000skies.com” and will be working on getting the website up and running as soon as possible.

To that end, we’ve entered a contest on Instagram held by Bay Area Website Designer in celebration of Small Business Saturday  (tomorrow, November 26th).  If you share this image (below) and contact Bay Area Website Designer, you are automatically entered into the contest.

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Gems 2.68

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

gems-2-68

Photo “Reach Up” by Niki Flow

#21 in the “Divine Feminine” series.  In October and November we’ll be featuring quotes about, for and by women.  Inspired by the Awakin.org call with Elle Lunaauthor The Crossroads of Should and Must. See also Aphrodite Emerges on Medium.com and “#the100dayproject” on Instagram.

Gems 2.67

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

gems-2-67

Photo by Niki Flow. 

#20 in the “Divine Feminine” series.  In October and November we’ll be featuring quotes about, for and by women.  Inspired by the Awakin.org call with Elle Lunaauthor The Crossroads of Should and Must. See also Aphrodite Emerges on Medium.com and “#the100dayproject” on Instagram.   This was written by Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis in 1939 when she was 10-years old and her name was Jaqueline Lee Bouvier.

This Gem is dedicated in loving memory today to President John F. Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963) and to his widow, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis with great respect and sorrow.  I was only 3-years old but I remember this day.   I remember being in the middle of the living room and many adults were standing around the television and crying. I have vivid memories of seeing pant legs and skirts from knee-height, milling around, holding each other for support.  To see so many adults crying was a terrible shock.  It wasn’t until I was older that I truly understood how much we lost that day, “…the end of Camelot.”

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Gems 2.66

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

gems-2-66

Photo “Solvitur ambulando – It is solved by walking” by Niki Flow. Inspired by Nicole Huguenin, Chief Dream Architect, Wild Dream Walks

#18* in the “Divine Feminine” series.  In October and November we’ll be featuring quotes about, for and by women.  Inspired by the Awakin.org call with Elle Lunaauthor The Crossroads of Should and Must. See also Aphrodite Emerges on Medium.com and “#the100dayproject” on Instagram. Nicole Huguenin is not only one of our Under1000Skies photo contributors, she is one of our city artist-pack distribution volunteers.  The first time I read “solvitur ambulando” was during our shared KindSpring.org challenge, “The 1st Annual KindSpring Eowyn Challenge” in September 2015.  The origin of the saying is lost in time, but if I had to guess, I would say it was first said by a Roman mother to her child who was too long indoors (or perhaps to all her family members).  “Solvitur ambulando!” (It solved her problem, too.)