Softly Exclaim

A L O H A  From

H O N O L U L U

 The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced. Art Van Der Leeuw

Hope is the soft exclamation that survives after every shouted doubt has gone quiet.
Pixie

Weary limbs

a throne of tin

King uncrowned

pride within

He rules this realm

of thirst relief

Oasis of hydration

brief reprieve.

The city hums

a tireless beat

But here it's break time

Moment of peace

Wrinkled hands

burdens borne

Private smile

well spent morn.

      Cloudia Charters

Once you realize that the road is the goal and that you are always on the road, not to reach a goal, but to enjoy its beauty and its wisdom, life ceases to be a task and becomes natural and simple, in itself an ecstasy.
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

ꬦꬦꬦꬦꬦꬦꬦꬦꬦꬦꬦꬦ

Love You,

Pixie & Cloudia

ꬦ

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Climbing The Tower

A L O H A  From
H O N O L U L U

A well-ordered life 

is like climbing a tower; 

the view halfway up 

is better than the 

view from the base, 

and it steadily becomes 

finer as the 

horizon expands.

                       William Lyon Phelps

Kindness

is the fragrance that lingers long after the act is done. Pixie

            @jessmoart

I find love

much like a mirror. When I love another,

he becomes my mirror and I become his, and reflected in

each other's love we see infinity! Leo Buscaglia

Being Wise Is Not Believing Everything You Think Donna A. Favors

໘໘໘໘໘໘໘໘໘໘໘໘

Love You,

Cloudia & Pixie

💚

Linking To

Monday Murals

Lions Don't Have To Roar

A L O H A  From
H O N O L U L U

Tunnels have light

At the end, They say,

But look and see, There's Glow

all along the way!

Cloudia Charters

Feral Pigs courtesy of Alan Spector

As I have practiced it, 

photography produces 

pleasure by simplicity. 

I see something special 

and show it to the camera. 

A picture is produced. 

The moment is held 

until someone sees it. 

Then it is theirs. 

               Sam Abell

Gratitude is happiness

doubled by wonder.

  G.K. Chesterton

 When you sit quietly you can begin to see many things. You have time to take care of your body to take care of your feelings and emotions. you taste the joy of being free. Thich Nhat Hanh

ᝐᝐᝐᝐᝐᝐᝐᝐᝐᝐ

Love You,

Pixie & Cloudia

Ձ

Linking To
Saturday Critters

Lions don't have to roar. There is power in silence, confidence, and persistence. Les Brown

Powerful Kindness

 A L O H A  From
H O N O L U L U

Acting kindly,

receiving kindness, and

even observing

acts of kindness

all have a positive effect

on health and well-being

for those involved.

 Effects of Performing Kindness

- Engaging in acts of kindness boosts happiness, self-esteem, and life satisfaction.

- Physiological benefits include lower blood pressure, reduced cortisol (stress hormone), and increased serotonin and dopamine, which improve mood.

- Regularly helping others is linked to reduced depression, anxiety, pain interference, and even increased longevity.

Honolulu Chinatown Market

Effects of Receiving Kindness

- Recipients of kindness experience increased feelings of warmth, empathy, and connection.

- Being treated kindly can reduce loneliness, improve relationships, decrease stress, and enhance self-esteem.

- Receiving kindness can also promote contagious generosity, enhancing well-being among broader groups.

Effects of Observing Kindness

- Witnessing kindness releases oxytocin, which lowers blood pressure and increases feelings of calm and happiness.

- Observers report better mood, increased gratitude, and greater sense of social connection

- Observing kindness can activate reward centers in the brain, making bystanders feel more optimistic and satisfied.

Pixie and Monk (A.I.)

You and I have an inestimable gift - a lifetime of experience to offer others. We don't tell them what to do, or how - unless, of course, they ask. But we can reassure them - they are not the first to face this unknown future. We, ourselves, walked this road - and look at us. We still have stamina, can keep going, and continue to live.

    John Laidlaw 

ꩦꩦꩦꩦꩦꩦꩦꩦꩦꩦꩦꩦ

Love You,

Pixie & Cloudia

ꩦꩦꩦ

Linking To 
Weekend Reflections & Street Photography
Skywatch
Feline Friday
Floral Friday

 Physical and Mental Health Outcomes

- All three experiences—performing, receiving, and observing kindness—lead to measurable improvements in mental health (lower depression, anxiety, and stress) and physical health (improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and slower aging).

- Kindness also contributes to longevity and overall life satisfaction, serving as a powerful public health action.

Being kind, benefiting from kindness, or simply watching kind acts provides meaningful, science-backed health benefits for everyone involved.

Poppies and Hibiscus

A L O H A  From
H O N O L U L U

Hope is not about 

proving anything. 

It’s about choosing to 

believe this one thing, 

that love is bigger than 

any grim, bleak shit 

anyone can throw at us.

Anne Lamott

Sunprint Morning glance

Hibiscus petals, Sunlight draws a

Gentle silhouette,

Shadow, tender

As a breath, Paints quiet wonder

Where gold light rests. What blooms between

the leaf and sun is peace—a small, bright

prayer begun.

Cloudia Charters

Patience attracts 

happiness; it 

brings near that 

which is far.

      Swahili Proverb

 If everything around you 

seems dark, look again, 

you may be the light.

       Rumi

᪓᪓᪓᪓᪓᪓᪓᪓᪓᪓᪓

Love You,

Cloudia & Pixie

᪓᪓᪓

Links
Thankful!
Little Things Thursday
I Like Thursday
Thankful Thursday
SkyWatch
Floral Friday
Friday Faceoff
Friday Smiles
Jaipur Garden Affair
H2O Thursday

🌼

Shot in Marin, California. Like hot lava, the poppies defy photography and must be seen in real life. This is my poor interpretation of the flower. Imagine mobs of it blooming EVERYWHERE!

No poet has yet sung 

the full beauty of 

our (California) poppy. 

No painter has successfully 

portrayed the satiny sheen 

of its lustrous petals. 

In its abundance, this 

colorful plant should not 

be slighted: cherish it 

and be ever thankful 

that so rare a 

flower is common.

John Thomas Howell 

(“Marin Flora”)

The Quiet Work of Beautiful Things

 

 A L O H A  From
H O N O L U L U

We deceive ourselves 

when we fancy that 

only weakness 

needs support. 

Strength needs it 

far more. 

    Sophie Swetchine

"Not Self Portrait"

The waves have 

rolled upon me, the 

billows are repeatedly 

broken over me, yet 

I am not sunk down.

   Mercy Otis Warren

We are rich only 

through what we give, 

and poor only through 

what we refuse.

Anne-Sophie Swetchine

The Quiet Work of Beautiful Things

Gentle endurance, friendship, & hope

In the hush between worries,  

Life’s fair wonders can slip in

Soft as dawn along the shoreline,  

Steady as my boat's 

line to the dock

So much depends 

on small interludes:  

Gentle unraveling of knots 

The laughter of friends, 

True sunlight!  

Filtered through a 

Canopy of healing green.

I am learning

That burdens grow lighter  

When they are carried 

And shared.

Hope begins in

The easy breathing  

Of moments we 

Let ourselves be.

It is not hurry that 

builds what is lasting 

But the calmly  

steadfast heart,  

Kindness traded 

in quiet hours,  

The trust that 

beauty grows.

In these blessed spaces

I tender my thanks

Soft as morning,

Each new day 

A promise,  

Each friend

A gentle shore.

For all the storms

We endure  

All the rises and falls,  

It's peace that 

Completes the circle,  

And friendship 

That carries us home.

Cloudia Charters

The balm of life, 
a kind and faithful friend.
Mercy Otis Warren

ᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶᱶ

Love You,

Pixie & Cloudia

💋 🐾

Signs2

Remember film?

You can see me on the left 

with my yellow umbrella.