Tag Archives: Inspiration
Redemption from Fear
Life is a balancing act and sometimes the stress of trying to manage everyday responsibilities can become too much. If you feel yourself slipping into that negative space, know that you are not alone. If left unchecked, feelings of sadness or fear can begin to weigh heavily upon your soul- creating a darkness that soon envelops you and keeps you captive in its stubborn embrace. I have been there and understand the toll feelings of depression and anxiety can have on your mind, body, and spirit. There is no shame in seeking professional help. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is allow someone to see you at your weakest. You don’t have to face those moments of darkness alone. In addition to getting the support of a professional, time spent in prayer can also provide comfort. I have felt the presence of God and his angels in my life in some of my darkest moments. Those experiences of love and light inspired both my husband and I to publish our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope. Our hope is that our book will be a source of comfort to those in need of a loving positive message. No one should feel alone or ashamed because they are suffering emotionally, mentally, or spiritually and are in need of help. May God’s angels light a pathway out of despair, so that you can finally begin to see the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
With angels you are never alone
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
In our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope, we honor our connection to the natural world and the loving presence of God and his angels in all that we see and do. Yesterday as we celebrated Thanksgiving, I reflected on the many blessings in my life and the happy memories we have shared as a family. Some of my favorite times have been those spent outdoors. There is something magical about seeing the world through a child’s eyes.
I have only experienced a tiny fraction of this beautiful planet, but I am in awe of the incredible diversity of life that calls this sacred space home. As we celebrate the holiday season, let us take time to appreciate one another and our connection to all life. We can positively shape our future by treading gently upon the Earth and taking steps to preserve the beauty that surrounds us. I pray that we will be good stewards of our planet not only for our children, but for future generations.
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
With all the negativity in the news and the tension that’s dominating the national political stage, you may feel as if you’re constantly dodging shadows. It’s a challenge to remain positive when our families and communities have become so polarized. I have had to take a step back from the regular news and look for stories that showcase the very best of the human spirit. I believe it’s important to stay informed about what’s happening at home and abroad, so that we are knowledgeable of our world, but we need to balance all that information with stories that touch the heart and lift the spirit.
We are surrounded by compassionate souls who make the world a more positive place to be. I work in a high school and see on a daily basis the dedication of the teachers and staff who go above and beyond to give our students a positive school experience. As a mother of a son with special needs, I have been blessed by teachers, paraprofessionals, and therapists who work countless hours to give my son and his classmates a safe, enriching environment to learn and grow. Our involvement in Special Olympics has surrounded us with heroes- from the athletes to the staff and volunteers- there is an amazing energy that comes from helping each individual reach their full potential.
We don’t have to look far to see evidence of God’s loving presence in our daily lives. My prayer is that people see the light within themselves and in others. We each have a unique role to play in the collective human experience and together we can light our way to a kinder world for our children and future generations.
With Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
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I was struck by the beauty of the sky at sunset one recent evening and I felt compelled to take a picture. I was immediately taken with the kaleidoscope of images that seemed to emerge from the clouds . I would love to know what you see. For me the sky is like a window to the Divine and the promise of eternal light. The angels that seemed to emerge from the clouds that had gathered in the sky reminded me that in God’s loving presence, we are never alone.
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
The act of creation allows me to reconnect with a part of my soul that seems to get lost in the stress of everyday life. Whether it’s looking through the lens of the camera, painting a picture with words, or combining materials to create one of a kind greeting cards, there is a joy that comes through the creative process. I love watching an idea take shape and come to life. It’ s especially rewarding being able to share that vision with others.
On Saturday October 22, 2016 my family and I will be at a local farmer’s market where we will be selling our book along with our photography and hand-made greeting cards. Having the opportunity to connect with others in our community is such a blessing.
Look for us at the Glendale Farmer’s Market- Saturday October 22,2016 from 8:00am to 12:00pm in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church at 58th Drive and Palmaire in Glendale, Arizona. Keep checking back in to see examples of the cards and prints we will be featuring in our booth as well info on future events. We will be signing copies of our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit, as well selling our photography in framed and unframed prints along with inspiration cards and handmade greeting cards!
Our dream is to uplift people’s spirits through our books, pictures, and cards at a price that is accessible to anyone. We look forward to ushering in the holiday season with you!
Blessings to you for the week ahead!
Sincerely,
Sheryl Brooks
One of the biggest blessings in my life has been motherhood. I feel so grateful to have my son. Learning to see the world through his eyes and watching him grow has been an amazing experience. Our family’s journey has not always been easy- sometimes just being able to put one foot in front of the other is the goal for the day. Our son has receives special programming through school due to developmental delays and schoolwork can be a challenge for him. However, we have been blessed with a wonderful team of educators who have worked with him and he’s been making great progress. Working in special education myself as a speech language pathologist and being a parent of a child that has special needs has given me a unique perspective. I believe that we walk through life guided by a higher purpose and that this journey I’m taking is the one God had intended for me. I have felt the presence of angels in my life and I know they are looking after our son.
As a family we have gotten involved with Special Olympics and we have had many moments where we have seen angels in action. The confidence, social skills, and overall development that my son has gained from participating in Special Olympics has been incredible. We started off participating in one sport and now we are involved with four- starting with swim in the summer, soccer in the fall, and in the winter and spring basketball and track. We participate through our city and I can’t thank the staff and volunteers enough for the time and energy they devote to the program. Their love for what they do is evident at every practice and event that we participate in. The experience has allowed us as parents to connect with other families who are on a similar journey.
Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the special women who play an integral role in our lives, but I also see it as an opportunity to recognize all those who help support moms. I want to thank all the teachers and staff past and present who have helped shape my son’s education. You have all been a blessing to this mom. I also want to thank the coaching staff, volunteers, and coordinators with Team Peoria for all they have given us as a family.
I would also like to thank my family, including my mom, for all the love and support she has shown me as well as my mother-in-law who has always made me feel like I was a daughter and not a daughter-in-law. To my husband, Joe, thank you for giving me a family of my own and for being the one to share my life with.
It is very easy to take for granted the blessings in one’s life, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed by all your responsibilities- trying to manage work, family life, and personal well-being can be a challenge and I know how difficult it can be to keep things in a healthy balance. Our book ,The Restorative Power of Spirit, is about the healing power of prayer and how the belief in a power greater than ourselves can help guide us through even our most challenging moments. Motherhood is a blessing, but it can also be overwhelming and when those moments come I find comfort in prayer and the knowledge that my family is in God’s hands.
My prayer is for all moms to have peace of heart and peace of mind. I realize that not everyone has access to the same support or resources and that, as a result, parenting may be particularly challenging. I pray that God gives you the strength to care for yourself and those that are depending upon you. 
Blessings to all moms everywhere,
Sheryl Brooks
We had a wonderful experience at the Jolly Craft Fair April 9th and are now getting ready for our next event, The Tempe Festival of Books Saturday April 16th from 10:00-3:00. I feel so grateful for the opportunities coming our way that are allowing us to share our work with others. Our hope is that through our photography and poetry, we can offer a positive message with artwork that touches the heart. In addition to the photography and poetry, I am now trying my hand at making greeting cards. I enjoy the creative process and watching a piece come together, whether it’s a poem, a photograph, or handmade card. Every creative opportunity is a blessing and what makes it so special is that I am able to share in this process with my family. My wish is that you are able to find time to take part in something that brings you joy. Every person has a vision and voice that deserves to be shared.
I am including in this blog some of the pieces we had available for purchase. I have also included a flyer for our event next Saturday in Tempe with the Arizona Authors Association. I invite you to visit and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sheryl.lyn.brooks and www.facebook.com/silverbrook.images.
Blessings to you for the week ahead!
Sincerely,
Sheryl Brooks
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