I have walked a thousand coastlines along the shores of a dozen seas, blistered my feet on the sun baked sand of a thousand beaches, fleshed seared, thirst unquenched I searched and searched, finally found this Paradise, and you friend what journey brought you here?
This Expedia commercial caught my attention enough to go to YouTube and hear it again. So did 947,592 other viewers!
Waterton Park, Alberta is a Paradise, Santa Barbara, California is a paradise, Disneyland is a paradise, for those who choose to live off the grid, that is paradise (no modern conveniences). It all depends on one’s perspective.
The word paradise is associated with heaven the ultimate abode of the just. The first garden is also referred to as paradise, along with other names and places which refer to utopia. Whatever we call it, there is a sense of longing at one time or another for a little piece of paradise. It can be as simple as having an over extended bubble bath surrounded by candles and soft music, or a quiet walk along a water’s edge.
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The world is a beautiful place offering us magnificent wonder. Nature produces its own language from the great harmony in the rustling leaves swaying in the wind, to the beautiful chords of the quiet stream rippling over the rocks.
Psalm 19 expresses it beautifully;
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. It goes on to say that day and night they pour forth speech and knowledge yet no sound is heard.
It may not be necessary to walk a thousand coastlines to find your paradise. You may find it in a multitude of small delights, even in your own backyard. One can experience strength by just contemplating the beauty of their surroundings.
Limiting our view of Paradise on earth to the beauty of white sand beaches, exotic vegetation and the aqua seas, confines to a small fraction of the wonders of the world.
Allow your spirit to find warmth in the snow as it kisses the trees and the cold night air blankets them in a spectacular view of hora frost. glistening like diamonds in the sun.
Enjoy the smell of the earth as you watch the first sign of new growth in early spring. Take time to smell the lilacs, they don’t stay around too long.
The long dusks of summer allow us to walk through scents of cut grass, fresh flowers and gardens of growing things, and drinking in the beauty of the sunset. The earth is alive with a new population of migrants returning to stock up on the abundant supply of food.
Has anyone mastered a painting of the true colors of fall? What we would miss if we didn’t live in a world with Octobers. It is kind of like the grand finale of nature’s production.
Whatever season of the soul or season of the year you are in, take a moment to reflect. Your paradise is closer than you think. Breathe in the beautiful fragrance of God’s love; meditate, relax. There are quiet streams, green pastures and an abundance of all that is good.
You will make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11
Written by Ruth Roberts Johnstone
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