Monthly Archives: February 2016
In my last post I shared my experiences visiting the Grand Canyon and Sedona for the first time and how both places touched my heart. The beautiful and diverse landscape that makes up Arizona provides residents and visitors alike with endless opportunities to reconnect with nature. Yesterday we visited the Hassayampa River Preserve in Wickenburg, Arizona. It is a wooded oasis in the desert filled with cottonwood, willow, and mesquite trees. Walking along the sandy trail and listening to the sounds of birds calling to one another in the tall trees offered a perfect respite from the hectic week that had just ended. As we explored this beautiful habitat, I offered a silent prayer of appreciation to God, his angels, and to our beautiful planet for making this experience possible for me and my family.
I have included two photos from our hike to the Hassayampa Nature Preserve-it’s a beautiful place that is definitely worth the visit. My spirit feels renewed and ready to face the challenges of the coming work week. No matter who you are or where you call home, I pray that you are able to seek out opportunities to find joy and balance in the week ahead.
Many blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
We are blessed to live in the beautiful state of Arizona. I had no idea before I moved here the diversity of the landscape I would find. From Sonoran desert vistas to the juniper forests and red rocks of Sedona, there is something for every type of photographer, artist or writer to be inspired by. My first experience visiting Arizona in the fall of 1992 included a trip with my parents up to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. I remember being in awe the very first time Sedona’s red rocks came into view. Nature’s artistry was everywhere and, with every step I took on that first hike, the anxiety and stress of the everyday world seemed to slip further away. It was that same trip that I watched the sun rise for the first time over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. In the stillness of the early morning hours, I remember feeling a deep sense of spirituality and faith.
If you’ve never experienced the beauty of the Southwest, I highly recommend that you make the trip. There are so many places in Arizona to explore. No matter where you call home, however, I encourage you to step outside and experience the beauty of the world around you. Whether it’s enjoying the sanctuary of your own backyard, the view from your balcony, or visiting a local park; any time spent outside is a blessing.
If you are interested, there are many ways that you can connect with us on social media. I invite you to visit and like our my author Facebook page www.facebook.com/sheryl.lyn.brooks and our new page for SILVERBROOK IMAGES featuring our photography: https://www.facebook.com/Silverbrook-Images-549298885251854/?ref=tn_tnmn&fref=nf. You can also follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sherylbrooks823.
Coming soon we’ll be opening our on-line shop SILVERBROOK IMAGES at Shopify.com where we’ll have available for purchase archival quality prints featuring the photography and text from our book and other future collections. Stay tuned!
Blessings to you for the coming week!
Sheryl Brooks
Photography combined with poetry provide such a wonderful opportunity to be mindful of the present and to appreciate the people, places, and experiences that grace our life. Quiet moments like the one captured in this photograph are to be treasured. The simple joy that comes from being in the company of a kindred spirit is universal. With the onslaught of demands and responsibilities that accompany daily life, it can be quite challenging trying to create a sacred space in your schedule where you hold no other obligation, but to be fully present in the moment. I know for me it’s a challenge trying to maintain that healthy balance. However, it’s a goal that I will continue to work towards because I don’t want to look back on my life and see only missed opportunities to connect with the people I care most about. My prayer is that you will not only be able to fill your life with people and experiences that bring you happiness, but that you have the time to enjoy the blessings that come your way.
Blessings!
Sheryl Brooks
I would like to take this time to express my appreciation for those who have served our country. With Valentine’s Day and President’s Day being back to back, I thought this would be a nice opportunity to recognize and honor our military. I not only wish to honor the men and women who have chosen to serve, but the families who have supported them; paying special recognition to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. God bless you and thank you for your service.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Brooks
I am very excited to announce that we have been accepted as contributors to Bigstock images. Photography provides such a wonderful opportunity to be truly present in the moment. Looking at life through the lens of a camera teaches you to look for unexpected details. For me, photography and the process of writing are very much aligned because they both allow you to appreciate both the physical world that we see as well as tap into a spiritual dimension.
The following image is from our Bigstock collection:
You can find our collection on http://www.bigstockphoto.com/search/?contributor=SILVERBROOK+IMAGES.
I also invite you to like our new Facebook page for SILVERBROOK IMAGES featuring our photography: https://www.facebook.com/Silverbrook-Images-549298885251854/?ref=tn_tnmn&fref=nf
It’s exciting to watch a dream take shape. I encourage everyone to reflect on what they love and pursue it. It’s never too late.
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
I have learned to face the darkness within me with positive loving energy. It’s not easy because my natural tendency is to worry and to become anxious. Feelings of depression and anxiety can lead to a loss of perspective and negatively impact your daily routine. This cycle of negativity can keep you from moving forward with your life. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was known for his books on maintaining a positive outlook. His book, The Power of Positive Thinking, remains one of my favorites. I have been making a conscious effort to align my thoughts and feelings with my higher self; to release that which no longer serves me, so that I may confidently face my future.
The following two photographs were taken by my husband, Joe Brooks, at sunset. For me, there is something magical about a sunset. When I take the time to enjoy the beauty of the sunset, my mood is always lifted and a feeling of peace enters my being. My prayer for the week ahead, is that we all are able to find time for the things that bring us joy. You can also visit me on Pinterest where I list a number of my favorite books with a positive spiritual message (www.pinterest.com/sbrooks2352.)
Also, please visit and like my new Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sheryl.lyn.brooks.
Blessings for the week ahead,
Sheryl Brooks