I chose to live in gratitude this year, and given the world condition, it’s difficult. So, thank you Patti for reminding me there is always hope and encouraging us to look into our own lives to show what gives us hope.

My rose garden, which I’ve neglected this year and still blooms, gives me hope. I’m not a gardener, but these roses have the resilience to show their beauty without much help from me. Maybe if individually we each show our beauty of spirit we can help bring beauty into this world.

Animals in their own habitat also give me hope. They live life simply and naturally. Some only hunt when hungry and some live off the land.

Holidays and festivities give me hope. For a short while we gather and enjoy, laugh and become childlike. Each year our community has a July 4th parade where golf carts, cars and bikes are decorated. If you’re not in the parade, you’re watching it. This is followed by a good old fashioned hot dog lunch.

Dedication to a passion brings me hope. When I’m out with my camera, I don’t think of other things. I just enjoy. My camera brings me to nature and sometimes artistic festivals where artists display their talents. One such festival is Chalk it Up. These artists paint with chalk, putting their all into it only to have it last a few days. Their dedication to their art and wanting to bring joy to others gives me hope.

I love trees–big ones like our Giant Sequoias and small ones; trees with leaves and those without. Trees are expressive in the way their branches bend, or stand out straight. Trees are strong and have a certain energy. Have you hugged a tree lately?

I’ll end with sunflowers. Just looking at them as they follow the sun, gives me hope. Their determination to blossom every year in the same fields shows that given the right care they will continue to smile at us. Can we give the world the right care and have it smile back?

We may not be able to change the world, but we can affect our small micro world and create hope. We can offer hope to our family and friends by helping and caring for them.

Thank you Patti, for reminding us that there is still hope. When you respond to her challenge, please remember to link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag. I truly enjoyed your responses to Tina’s challenge last week of Children (human and animal). What a joy they are, giving us hope. Next week Ann-Christine will be presenting the challenge, so look for her post. Until then, stay safe and have hope!

47 thoughts on “Lens Artists Challenge #299: Hopeful”

  1. Anne, your post is very uplifting, and the photos are beautiful. Those leaning trees and sunflower bring a smile to anyone who sees them. I took a deep breath while looking at them. The Chalk it Up festival sounds like a wonderful thing. It shows that it doesn’t matter how long you show hope. You simply have to do it. Thanks for such a beautiful post.

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  3. Wonderful approach to this one Anne. I loved the story woven with your words and images. You’re so right, and I also agree Patti’s challenge was so timely and encouraging for us all. Beautifully done.

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  8. The grace and beauty of nature is inspiring, Anne. Thanks for reminding us of that. I love your header image. So graceful! And you’re right about sunflowers. They are like giant smiling faces! I am trying to live in gratitude too….definitely a work in progress! Take care. Be well.

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  11. Some lovely positive thoughts about hope Anne, and some great photos to accompany them! I especially liked your mention of how celebrations and festivities bring communities together – so true and so important 🙂

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  15. So true, Anne. We can make a difference in this life with the tiniest efforts. Maybe one person will follow our lead or maybe another person will be grateful for those same efforts. I smiled at your sunflower photos. They truly symbolize hope through those smilies. Such a great message here. Loved it all. And the Chalk it up festival must be fantastic.

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    1. I’m glad I helped you smile Donna. I do love sunflowers and the joy they bring. The Chalk it Up Festival is great. During 2020, when there wasn’t one, the artists decorated their own sidewalks all throughout Sacramento County.

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