These photos were taken on my 30th day to Caroline’s Sunrise Photo and Health Challenge. My companions to this super early morning walk were my mom and my youngest son. We were out in quest for the perfect sunrise.
We climbed a hill in order to get the best photo. However, dense clouds topped the beautiful sunrise.
I ended up taking photos of the beautiful landscape.
In response to Weekly Photo Challenge: Quest
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is one thing I am passionate about, it is loving everything beautiful in life. I am passionate with self-development, spiritual development and everything about nature.
We only have a limited time in this world. Thus, while I still can, I want to share everything beautiful in this blog.
Just recently, after a severe el niño in our place and the rain came, butterflies came hovering in our yards. Most of them I could not take a shot because of their constant movement from flower to flower. But they are all gorgeous and a site to behold. My passion for them grows each day as I see different colors and sizes. Some of them were in pairs chasing one after the other. They were like kids playing joyfully.
In Christianity, the butterfly has long been a symbol of the resurrection of Christ as well as the resurrection of believers. The caterpillar disappears into a cocoon, which is like the tomb Christ lay in after the crucifixion, appearing dead. Later, it emerges from “death,” having transformed into something more beautiful and powerful than it was.
In daily life, we also get to transform if we wish to. Some days when we experience defeat and failures, we retreat into our comfort zones. When we are ready, we get back again to the track and start all over again with new zest and determination. This is how life goes until we finally emerge as a fully transformed individual like a butterfly able to soar in lightness and in joy.
May one day we soar in flying colors like a butterfly. Have a purposeful day!
~Nezel
In response to WP Daily Prompt: passionate.
Finale! At last I am on my thirtieth day. Wahoo!
So how does it feel to be here? I will answer this question lastly. Let me relate again, how I started. I have read Caroline’s challenge from my reader feed. It was just random browsing. Upon reading all about it, I said to myself, oh, this is just easy because the sun always shine in our country summer or not. With the health part, I have been doing yoga, though I consider myself still a beginner. At least I am doing something that is good for my health. I was just hesitant because Caroline was already on her fourth day. However, she emphasized that the period covered would be from July 14 to September 1. That makes more or less forty-five days to do. Since the required number of days is only 30, there would be lot of allowances for unexpected events whereby one could not perform the challenge in a day. Then and there, I was on it.
Later did I realize, the sunrise is not visible from my home. Moreover, I need to get up earlier than my wake up time if I were to catch the sunrise. I then slowly begin to doubt myself: could I really do this? I already have started. Should I stop? If I stop a heavier toll is on me. I have tried doing certain projects in the past without finishing most of them. This time I must never ever stop. What if I just do this one day at a time without overthinking about it? I did moved on, anyway the rules of the challenge are wide open. Besides, it only takes a five minute walk from my house to get a view of the sunrise.
My first two days in the challenge I used old photos. I was already days behind so I tried to catch up. The third day was my first experienced of having a view of the sunrise. It was a bit cloudy but the clouds gave more dramatic effect on the sunrise. I then slowly noticed the freshness of the air and the bits and pieces of nature around. Caroline started to comment. That gave me much motivation to go on. I was inspired by her photos too.
Day four was so cloudy. Day five was still cloudy but I loved that photo so much. The clouds looked like an eruption of a volcano with the sun’s rays scattered behind. Day six is my most loved of all. I had been in another island. From there the sun rose from the sea. With the sea giving a reflection of the sunrise, it was all perfect for me. Day seven is my second most loved. The sunbeams passed through the mango trees that grow at our neighbor’s yard. The effect was made complete by the morning fog.
On day eight it rained because there was a typhoon looming at the other part of the country. I just used an old photo. On day nine I started to notice grasses and butterflies. That was the first time I included their photos in my post. On day ten it rained again. Good that the sun showed up at 7:00 A.M. I then took photos of the things where the sunlight fell.
On day eleven I was chasing butterflies. It was a cloudy morning and the sun did not show any trace. Later when it showed up I took photos of it peeking through the branches of trees. Day twelve was an interesting one. My youngest son accompanied me in my early morning walk. We walked for forty minutes then. On day thirteen I meditated with nature. I was too tired to take my morning walk because my son got sick the previous night and I had minimal sleep. It was a perfect moment for meditation for me because the weather was windy and the smell of the grasses was so refreshing. I just missed Caroline’s comment and wondered why she had not posted anything on her blog. However, I still went on with my goals.
On day fourteen it was me who got sick. I felt I had overworked myself and over-eaten foods that are not good for my body. Again I used an old photo. It rained on day fifteen. When the rain shower stopped and the sun finally showed up I took photos of it through thick leaves. I was surprised, the effect was awesome. On day sixteen my morning activity finally sank in. I slowly noticed that I began to fell in love with the sunrise. I even wondered why had I not started this activity early on when I was surrounded with nature. Despite that, I began to get worried why hadn’t Caroline commented on my posts. She had not even updated her blog. I then questioned myself if I should continue with the challenge. I just thanked myself for being resolute enough to go on.
On day seventeen my son was with me again. We climbed up a hill. I then felt in myself the good effects of walking. So I wrote the benefits of it in my post. On day eighteen I was so immersed in nature. I did not take a walk farther, but took notice of everything around me: from flowers, to butterflies, to spiderwebs. I started to appreciate these things. I felt I was seeing things with new eyes.
We were a team on day nineteen. My two kids and my mom joined with me. I included in my post the benefits of bonding with family. I was alone on day twenty. I shared the benefits of “me time” in my post. Day twenty-one was supposedly a good time for sunrise photo taking. However, I woke up a little later. The sun was so bright when I took a ten-minute brisk-walk. In my post I shared how I re-aligned my health goals. Day twenty-two was a rare one for me since I started this morning routine. I was surprised to see the moon still out in the sky. The previous night I took a photo of it. And in the morning it was still there! I was just amused.
Day twenty-three was a breakthrough. I and my youngest son almost reached the top of the hill. For the first time we walked for one hour. On day twenty-four the clouds covered the sun again and occasional rain showers fell. I again used old photos and shared the beautiful things I learned in this journey in my post. Day twenty-five was still a rainy one. I used an old photo and shared the eight benefits of sunlight on us. I was flattered Caroline reblogged my post. Yes, she was back a few days ago. She got sick that was why she was offline for a longer time. But she is catching on with the challenge.
On day twenty-six it rained very early. By 6:45 A.M. the rain stopped. I managed to take a photo of the sun’s light that fell on the branches of a huge tree outside of our yard. It was an amazing sight! On this day I shared in my post the eleven benefits of rising early. On my twenty-seventh day I was still awed by the sunrise. The sky was still reddish-orange and tiny clouds spotted the sky. That was a “wow’ moment again. It were the seven things to do to rise up early that I shared for today.
On day twenty-eight we took on a different route. My youngest son and my mom were with me again. This day I was inspired to share my thoughts on living life one day at a time. On day twenty-nine I took photos of flowers in our yard. My son got sick the previous night and so I had a sleepless night. I went outside to refresh myself and just inspired to take photos of everything beautiful where the sunlight fell. And I shared some meanings of the number twenty-nine.
Thirtieth day: finale!
Do you know that I have a very beautiful plan for this day? I plan to take a sunrise photo at the beach with me doing yoga in front of the sun. However, my son got sick. There was no way I could do this since I plan to end this challenge on the last day of the specified period. I proceeded to option 2: walk up the hill and catch sunrise there.
The next day I executed my plan. I woke up so early, past 3:00 A.M. I was just excited. Well, two of my loved ones woke up too and asked to join me – my mom and my youngest son. It was still dark when we started. We were off at 5:06. Minutes later a reddish sky greeted us. Wow! I thought to myself: a promising sunrise awaits us.
But when we started climbing up the hill, I was slowly disheartened. Clouds started to cover the sky. Just a pale light from the sunrise was visible. I then decided that we must see where the sunrise was more visible. It means we have to follow a driveway to a friend’s house that curved a little around the hill. We did just that. When we reached at the end of the way, Oh, we were greeted by an open field with a cow grazing, a sunrise over the mountain with thick clouds on top of it, wildflowers sprawling and a view of the sea. It was such a beautiful sight for me. All the photos on this post were taken on this day. Please say with me: Amazing! Little things just make me happy. My spirit just danced. The view was enough an award for me for having arrived this far and able to complete the challenge. Cheers!
By the way, we walked today for a total of one hour and twenty-seven minutes. The first time we did. We climb down the hill excited and happy. And I thanked the clouds for not hiding the sunrise from us completely.
So how was I after the thirty days? I changed a bit. I find myself more joyful, more beautiful inside, more loving, more aware of my surroundings, much healthier, less prone to stress and a certified amateur photographer as well. Moreover, I felt my energy to be slowly coming back.
In 2014, I got sick and soon believed I wouldn’t be healthier and energetic again. I thought my youthful years had been over. I am so thankful I am slowly able to tinker around my garden again. I am so grateful I participated in this challenge. And more grateful to Caroline for coming up a challenge like this.
I may have completed the 30 days challenge, but deep within my heart says my journey to sunrises is not yet over. In fact, it had just begun. It would never be because from here I birthed my morning magic routine.
As for the health challenge, morning walks has been and would be a part of that magic routine, my yoga practice included.
If you love nature and have access to nature, this challenge would work great for you too. May you be the next participant.
You may access Caroline’s 30 days sunrise photo and health challenge here. You may also access each of my post about this challenge in this page.
Thank you for reading this far. Have a great day!
~Nezel
My plan for this morning was to take a forty-minute walk and take sunrise photo. However, my little darling has had fever again. Consequently, I had a sleepless night. I woke up at around 6:30 in the morning and was so tired to get up. I stayed on the bed for a longer time. At 7:00 I got up and treated myself with a cup of coffee. I went outside to catch some fresh air and soaked myself in the freshness of the morning.
As I sat quietly outside, I felt the sunlight fell upon me. A thought dawned on me to get a photo of my cup under the sunlight. From there I was inspired to get photos of the blooming flowers where the sunlight fell too. I felt a bit energetic after I have done what I loved to do.
I am now on my twenty-ninth day! I felt so blessed to have arrived here.
Months ago, I saw on the national television show a host telling that an age that has a nine on it, is a critical age. It is a year that requires much prayer for the one having such number of his age. I then got the idea to search online what the number 29 means. One site, Angel Numbers says number 2 brings Divine life purpose and soul mission. Number 9 resonates spiritual enlightenment and spiritual awakening.
It further states Angel Number 29 is a message from your angels. Some of these messages are the following:
One of the reasons why I shared these messages here, is because I felt this is the sixth sign I received from God. I am now in the middle of a spiritual discernment. And for four days in a row I have been receiving the same messages from different people and from different things. I feel after completing Caroline’s challenge I would be embarking on a new, much challenging journey. I considered my participation in the challenge a foundation of something bigger that God prepared for me.
With that, I love much what AmazingWord has to say. This site tries to interpret the Bible pattern, number and symbolism. It has historical explanation of every number that contains the number 9 in the Bible, much of which are the verses. Let me share an excerpt from the site:
The number 29 in the Bible is very consistently related to the symbolism of the return of the Lord when he comes to free his people. As impossible as it sounds, the Bible’s DNA like perfection in numbering reveals that chapter and verse numbers of the Bible can be taken together to have a direct correspondence to messages contained in the text. I often look for common patterns in like referenced verses to understand a number’s symbolism. Since I have found many historic dates that seem to have numbers that associate to those same numbers in Biblical symbolism, I recently decided to look at the Bible’s nineteen verses that have chapter and verse 11:29 to see if their theme somehow relates to the 11/29/1947 date when Israel took their first step to become a nation. The evidence of these verses being symbolically related to this historic event seems compelling and this article will hopefully demonstrate this possibility. On November 29th, it appears God was clearing the way for Israel to become a nation, and in the Bible’s 11:29 verses we see many instances where the Lord seems to be, in various ways, calling and delivering his people.
It also cites 19 verses, having a reference of chapter 11, verse 29. Among those verses, this is what I love the most: Deu 11:29 “It shall come about, when the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it… (The Lord leading the people out of bondage…to save them).
Thus, I am so much grateful to have come this far. May I taste God’s deliverance and enter into the Land of Promise flowing with milk and honey.
Have a purposeful day!
~Nezel
(You may visit Caroline’s 30 days sunrise photo and health challenge here.)
Been up at 5:15. My youngest son woke me up and urged me that we may take our morning walk. My mother went with us too. This morning we tried another route. The sunrise was not that visible, but the reflection of it on the clouds was. I loved the photo above. It contained most of the elements I love seeing in the sky: blue sky, white clouds with yellow and orange hues, birds in flight and towering trees.
Here the light penetrated at the top of the trees and made a bright background.
Here, the clouds seemed to explode the moment it was hit by the sunrise’s light. The sunrise was then a bit covered by clouds. For this morning we completed a thirty minute walk.
Today I am going to share with you how this challenge unexpectedly made me to live life one day at a time.
How to live life one day at a time? I could have answered this question theoretically, intellectually, or better yet, use the journey of my heroes to answer this question. Just recently, I found the answer to my own question matter-of-factly.
I have been an obedient follower of anybody who already found the “right way.” In short, I have designed myself to become like anybody else – a go getter. I already have a list of my dreams, list of goals, plans and strategies to achieving those goals and the short-term, day to day goals, as well as the actions needed to implement those goals on a daily basis. This is perfectly how I see my day to day activities. To break the monotony once in a while I joined certain challenges.
Participating Caroline’s sunrise photo and health challenge was only a part of my daily grind. Until slowly, in my day to day journey, I found out I have unraveled a gold mine very essential to my journey. I began to see each day with differently new eyes. I used to believe all days are the same; it is only our attitude and activities that makes any day special. I was completely and absolutely wrong. As I have witnessed over twenty sunrises, I found out every sunrise is different. Every sunrise brings an unexpected surprise. Everyday is literally different from each other.
Antoine de St. Exupery in his book “The Little Prince” says: What is essential is invisible to the eye. Perhaps, I have not seen the difference or the presence of each day because I only see a day as part of a week, a month, or a year. I only do a certain thing a day in order to become what I could be in the future. In short, I only see what the future looks like. My focus is very much directed in the future. Perhaps, this is the reason why some people have the habit of buying lands, building huge buildings, and taking vacations without noticing the needs of the people who put them at the pedestal they are standing on. Because they are so much focused in the future; on what they could become. For if only one could see the beauty of each day, greediness would be ashamed to come near to that person.
The journey to thirty sunrises lead me back to who I am. Was it due to the sunrise’s light? or the stunning view of every sunrise? or the quietude of the morning? or the freshness of nature? or the amazing morning sky? or the cloud’s changing hues? or the silence in my heart when I am out there bathing the sunrise? or the walk with my kids? or the butterflies, the bees, the spiderwebs I see along the way? or the crowing of the cocks and the chirping of the birds? or the meditation with nature? or just because I woke up earlier? or because I am so much grateful to God for all these blessings? I guess, it is all of the above. I do not know how. I just know I slowly hear the still voice within me, which I missed for so long. It again speaks. And I hear it again.
As I look back on those over twenty sunrises I could not remember if there was any day that was just like the other. Every day was different. And there was no boring one ever. When I would complete this challenge after two more days, I know my journey would not stop there. I wonder who would I be after sixty or one hundred sunrises?
Ah, this is how I discover living life one day at a time. I just do not know if this works for you my friend. But you can take your chances. Anyway, our journey is ours to take. I am so glad I found mine.
May you have found your way to living life one day at a time.
~Nezel
(You may visit Caroline’s 30 days sunrise photo and health challenge here.)
(WP Daily Prompt: obvious)
At five-thirty this morning this was how the sky looked like. Old folks say that if the color of the sky in early morn is red hot, it is going to be a hot day. With much of their experience, it may be true. As for me, I could not say anything about it because for many a year I have been in an air-conditioned office most of the day. Whichever, I am so much grateful for having gone outside in time to witness this magical hues, for the clouds changed color in just a matter of minutes.
With this photo the golden clouds seemed to be a flying eagle turned upside down from afar. I really was so glad to be under such a magnificent sky at the moment. Marvelous!
To think I am on my twenty-seventh day of the challenge, and I seem not to have had enough of everything that an early morning walk has to offer. And honestly, there are still some mornings when I could not get up to my desired time, especially on chilly ones.
So, what are the things to do in order to get up early? Here are what I get from others’ and my own experience as well:
(You may visit Caroline’s 30 days sunrise photo and health challenge here.)
The weather is still not so fine this morning. But at 6:35 the sun peeked brightly through thin clouds. I quickly went outside and took some shots. I found the sunlight beautiful upon this tree outside of our yard.
As I was about to enter our gate, this butterfly pea flower which climbed over our wire fence and a bug caught the corner of my eye. The sunlight was shining through it and made a dramatic impression. So I took some shots of it. The weather has not been so perfect, but everything that I see seemed perfect. Truly, when you go out to seek beautiful things, beautiful things seem to call on you. I am still grateful though for being able to breathe the freshness of the morning in such short minutes. After around thirty minutes rain-showers start to fall again.
In connection to Caroline’s 30 days sunrise photo and health challenge, let me tackle today the benefits of rising early. Rising early is one requisite in witnessing the sunrise. It is much better to even rise before the sunrise. This post also gets some points from Leo Babauta of Zenhabits. We happen to share some views on the priceless benefits of rising early:
Tomorrow I’d be posting on how to rise early.
Have a purposeful day!
~Nezel
(You may check Caroline’s 30 days sunrise photo and health challenge here.)
The sun again did not show up this morning. Our weather was governed by occasional rain-showers and a windy day due to strong south winds.
So for today I used an old sunrise photo taken a month ago at 6:05 in the morning and limited my physical exercises indoors. But still this did not hinder me from having a beautiful day.
For today, I love to share with you the benefits of sunrise on our health. Sunrise as we know it, is the source of all energy. Its rising in the morning make all life forms thank the Maker. It is the awakening of every new beginning. The most beautiful thing is, it is free. So if you could, try to wake up early and bathe its light that you may reap all the benefits it has to offer:
Natural Source of Vitamin D. In humans Vitamin D changes to calcium in the body which encourages the hormone endorphin production. Endorphins give you that feel good feeling which causes happiness and satisfaction which prevents depression. The most notable benefit of exposure to sunlight is its ability to boost your body’s vitamin D supply. The NIH says at least 1,000 different genes that control every tissue in the body are linked to be regulated by vitamin D3. Vitamin D is produced by the skin’s response to UV radiation primarily through sun exposure, which affects 10 percent of the genes in the human body.
Sunlight is good for the nervous system. Lack of sunlight is now linked to PTSD. Exposure to the sun can reduce anxiety. I proved this to be true because I used to depend on my B complex supplements. According to my doctor my nerves needed it. But after I exposed myself in the sunrise regularly, I slowly limit my intake to two to three times a week. And I still feel good and energetic!
Enhances Your Mood. Regular sunlight exposure can naturally increase the serotonin levels in your body, making you more active and alert.
Lowers Blood Pressure. Skin that is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays release a compound, nitric oxide, that lowers blood pressure. In a recent study conducted at Edinburgh University, dermatologists studied the blood pressure of 34 volunteers under UV and heat lamps. In one session, the volunteers were exposed to both light sources and in the other session, the UV rays were blocked so only the heat affected the skin. The results of the study showed a significant drop in blood pressure after exposure to UV rays for an hour but not after the heat-only sessions. It is important to note that the volunteers’ vitamin D levels were unaffected in both sessions.
Awesome Beauty. The most beautiful moment of the sunrise is what they call the golden hour. It is the period shortly after sunrise. I have witnessed such beauty and it is beyond what words can say. Everything around is beautiful and literally golden.
Unadulterated Peace. Being bathe with the sun’s light feels like being one with it. It is so calming. And all sunrises always bring tranquility around.
Enhance Spirituality. It is lifting up the spirits. The light seems to permeate deep within. Maybe because of the beauty and the tranquility that the sunrise brings, you become more aware and in tune with your self. Because you are surrounded by nature, you come to meditate with nature.
Lasting happiness. When you start the day right, the whole day feels right. When you start with good feelings and enhanced mood, negativity seldom beats you.
So, what are you waiting for? Go out early in the morning and greet the sunrise with arms wide open. It only seems difficult at first, but when done regularly, the experience is worth the effort.
Have a sunshiny day!
~Nezel
(Caroline’s 30 days sunrise photo and health challenge is a good start to love the sunrise).
This morning the sun was covered by clouds and occasional rain-showers fell. So no morning walk just yet.
I just uploaded these two photos which I took on different days weeks ago. These roosters belonged to our neighbor. They are for game fowls. The one below seemed to enjoy sun-bathing while curious enough to look at the camera.
On the health part, I did my yoga routines later in the day because we have to attend mass at eight o’clock.
Aside from the health benefits sunrise has given me, it also taught me many things:
There are endless things we could do with the sunlight. These are the things I never learned in my youth. Because when I was younger, I was full of fears, always depressed and anxious.
Now that I dedicate my life to complete healing, beautiful things start to happen. One is this sunrise photo and health challenge. I discover, it is not enough to plan and execute it when the occasion calls for. I really have to go out and do things that could lead me to discover life and have fun with all of it. I become more aware of God’s creature and everything beautiful around me. Like a child, I now see, breathe and feel all of life. I know, this is only a scratch on the surface of everything beautiful God has created.
My youth may seem a not so well-lived life, but the remaining years ahead of me brings a promise for me to behold. It is never too late then to live life to the fullest.
By the way, the above photo is taken this morning when I strolled around the garden. It is a bee sipping a nectar from the coconut flowers. I walked a few minutes around to warm myself up and be ready to face the day.
Have a purposeful day!
~Nezel
(Please do visit Caroline’s sunrise photo and health challenge. The experience is fun and so helpful.)
I did not intend it, but today is a breakthrough in my sunrise photo and health challenge participation. You know why? Because I have walked one hour today up on a hill near our home. Yay! They say walking uphill is a good cardio exercise. I am so happy to have done it. What a coincidence since twenty-three is my most favorite number combination.
Other than that I brought home along with me beautiful photos. The one above is a wild grass flowers. Beautiful right?
It was already six o’clock when we started. My plan was to just walk near our home for maybe twenty minutes because I have other plans for the morning. However, when my youngest son woke up he urged me that we take a walk to this place. Who would say no to a cute little darling? So off we went.
When we reached the usual place where we used to stop and go back our way, he requested that we continue forward because he wanted to have a clear view of the sea. So forward we marched.
Yep, that is me on my yoga journey. I did not do all the sun salutation poses though because it seemed insensible to do upward dog in the middle of the road. Thankfully, in this hour of the morning only very few vehicles would pass by. Thumbs up to my five-year old angel who managed to take a reasonably good shot.
I also would be able to cross out one goal in my wishlist: take a photo of myself doing a yoga pose along the road. Perfect!
The goal! Clear view of the sea. We actually did not hit home run because we were a little further from the top of the hill. But then my son’s little legs were a little bit tired, so down we walked.
Had the sunrise been bright, this road would bathe fully its light. But, it was a cloudy morning again. You may notice only the pale patches of the sun’s light on the road.
So then we call it a day. Sunrise photo and health challenge very much completed. And the best take home? An exclusive date with my youngest darling!
May you have your breakthrough today too!
~Nezel
(You may visit Caroline’s sunrise photo and health challenge here.)
Purposive Writer 