The Restorative Power of Spirit
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Book
    • The Restorative Power of Spirit
  • Blog
  • Media

Monthly Archives: February 2016

29 Feb

Exploring Arizona and Connecting with Nature

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.

Trees and grass at Hassayampa Nature Preserve for  Blog copy

Many blessings,

Sheryl Brooks


22 Feb

The Beauty of Arizona

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!

Clouds Over Red Rocks of Sedona Version to Post

Blessings to you for the coming week!

Sheryl Brooks


17 Feb

Photographs tell a story

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.

Sharing the Journey Photo 23 Photo and Text copy

 

Blessings!

Sheryl Brooks


15 Feb

Appreciating those who serve on Valentine’s Day

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.

Appreciating Our Military copy

 

Sincerely,

Sheryl Brooks


12 Feb

Look for us on Bigstock!

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:

 

Sleeping Sea Lion

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


01 Feb

Staying Positive

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.)

 

Pink Light copyForgiveness copy

Also, please visit and like my new Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sheryl.lyn.brooks.

Blessings for the week ahead,

Sheryl Brooks


Recent Posts

  • Enjoying Nature’s Blessings- Two Handicap Accessible Trails in Arizona
  • Photographing California’s Central Coast: Exploring Pacific Grove’s Asilomar State Beach
  • Heaven’s Blessing at Sunset
  • Photographing California’s Central Coast- Exploring Monterey
  • The Joy of Travel: Exploring Temecula, California

Recent Comments

  • sbrooks on Happy Mother’s Day
  • 97Lucienne on Happy Mother’s Day
  • sbrooks on Happy Mother’s Day
  • Dominik on Happy Mother’s Day

Archives

  • December 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • December 2014
  • September 2014

Categories

  • Angels
  • Arizona
  • California Travel
  • Conservation
  • Desert
  • Discovery
  • Exploration
  • Faith
  • Heaven
  • Inspirational
  • Landscape Photography
  • Natural World
  • Nature
  • Nature Photography
  • Photography
  • Sky
  • Southwest
  • Spirituality
  • Sunset
  • Tourism
  • Travel
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org


  • Home
  • Bio
  • Book
  • Blog
  • Media

Follow via Facebook Follow via Twitter Follow via Instagram