The Grateful Tree: episode one

December 29, 2017

As 2017 comes to an end there is so much to be grateful for, in spite of all the traumatic, devastating events that have shaken the entire world this year.

It’s hard to believe how much of the world I experience right here on my little patch of earth. You’ll learn why as my story unfolds.

Today I stand here naked and grateful, soaking up the sun’s glorious rays as I tell you a little about how I came to be.

About 20 years ago I was planted on this spot to oversee a playground in the desert. The summer sun is scorching here. The metal playground equipment below could be torture to little hands if not protected from the direct sunlight. The owners of the land and playground planted me with confidence I would do a good job. Year after year I have reached for the sky, stretched to grow and stayed strong even when my beautiful spring leaves shriveled and fell from my branches one by one each winter.

It took a few seasons for me to get used to the constant changes as I grew each year. Now I’ve reached the height where I feel confident I’m making a difference. I’ve observed over the years that those who have a purpose seem to have greater confidence in themselves and their abilities to make a difference. It also seems to help them weather the changes and unexpected events that occur in their lives.

Today I am grateful for the sun’s warmth and the laughter I hear in the playground on this mild winter day in the desert. I will need the heat to get me through the harsh winter night ahead.

I’m looking forward to sharing more of my story and observations with you in the coming year.

Sincerely,
The Grateful Tree

Burning Desire

For the past couple of years I’ve had a burning desire to hit the road with my husband and travel across the country in an RV. The sunrise photos coming to me from around the country have rekindled this desire

We didn’t do anything to nurture this dream before, always telling ourselves it wasn’t time yet.

Now we’re looking into the possibilities.

There is the possibility my husband and I would love this new lifestyle. There is also a possibility we would Hate it. So we find ourselves laboring over every decision to be sure.

Our timing to decide is summer 2018. I’ve started a travel section on this site so we can share what we’re learning about RV and camping life. There are a lot of travel bloggers, so we’ll try to learn from those that have gone before us.

We like a convenient lifestyle and enjoy being outdoors, but don’t consider ourselves outdoorsy people. In fact, I burn easily and bugs…bug me.

We went to an RV lot for the first time last week after looking at many models online. We looked at trailers, 5th wheeler’s, class c’s and class a’s. We’re almost certain we’ll go with the class a, gas, under 30 foot for our new life adventure – almost. Would love comments from anyone who has gone through this process and were happy… or not happy with their decisions.

I’ve downloaded an RVer’s Best Public Campgrounds book to begin planning a route for our first trip. If there are better resources for deciding on campgrounds that aren’t like busy trailer parks, would love to find them. We like exploring nature, learning about the history of a place and interacting with people… but don’t need constant entertainment.

When I look at the sunrise in this photo, it looks almost as if the sun is moving forward. I think it’s a sign.

Chasing the dream,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. If you have a sunrise photo to share, just email it to contact@superpowers365.com. We’ll mention you in the photo.

Relax, It’s Golf

We didn’t have golfers in our home, but we had a plaque on the wall about golf.

The words on the plaque read:

GOLF

An ineffectual attempt

To drive an uncontrollable sphere

Into an inaccessible hole

With instruments ill adapted to the purpose.

– author unknown

That plaque may explain why I never feel relaxed when playing golf. However, I believe the ladies who shared this photo find it incredibly relaxing and fulfilling.

I also never witnessed an incredible sunrise like this one from Reno, Nevada. Thank you Ronda Henderson for sharing Anita Mackay’s photo with us with her permission.

Relaxed,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. Where in the world will we see tomorrow’s sunrise? It could be from your special view. If you have a sunrise photo you’d like to share, send it to contact@superpowers365.com. We’ll mention you and let you know when it posts.

Wake Up Sleepy Heads

This rising sun reminded me of my mother calling up the stairs to me and my brothers and sisters…”wake up sleepy heads.”

It always seemed like Friday’s were the hardest days to get out of bed. My brain was always ready for the weekend and that few extra minutes of Saturday morning sleep.

Well, wake up sleepy heads.

Let’s soar,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

Impact

Carla Avruskin was “shaken to the core after experiencing the eclipse…the color was striking and the sun seemed more mysterious as it rose the next morning.” Lucky for us she was able to capture the sunrise through her plane’s window as she was flying over Idaho.

Several people have sent me photos and tell me how they were personally impacted by the solar eclipse that happened August 21, 2017.

They are people from different parts of the country and I have been intrigued with their reaction. It was unusually cloudy and rainy where I was that day… and I was very sad I didn’t get to see the eclipse. I even bought the special glasses.

You may have experienced the impact Carla described as she was traveling for a much needed vacation. I know I have.

It’s when the bliss I feel coming home from a long trip suddenly happens when I’m going back for a visit to someplace I’ve lived before.

I’m not sure what Superpower to develop that would allow me to live in a place I love while moving on to the next place I’ll love, but I’m working on it and will keep you posted.

Brace for Impact,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. Have a sunrise in your pocket you’d like to share? Send your photos to contact@superpowers.com or PM us on Facebook. We’ll mention you in the photo and let you know when it posts.

Prep For Take Off

The morning she was leaving a conference fueled with new ideas to grow her business, Jennifer Mouso caught the sunrise beyond the machinery cleaning the wing of her plane.

It reminds me that every new direction requires some prep time. Preparation is the step I most often skip over a little to quickly. Lucky for Jennifer the maintenance crew didn’t skip their prep and she found a beautiful sunrise in the distance before take off.

Let’s soar,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. Even if you don’t take a photo, stop and watch a sunrise every chance you can. Savoring one isn’t just for vacation.

Peek-a-Boo

One of my favorite games to play with a baby is peek-a-boo. The sound of a baby’s laughter at this silly game is a jolt of pure joy for me.

That’s how I felt when I received this photo from Jennifer Mouso, a jolt of pure joy… and it seems like the sun is playing peek-a-boo in this photo between the palm leaves.

Have a joyous day,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. We’d love to share your photo and story behind it. Send to contact@Superpower365.com.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho

I can almost hear him whistling the tune “Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work we go,” when Matt Gilkeson captured this beautiful sunrise on his way to work in Alabama.

Since I don’t personally know Matt, I found myself wondering what he was doing for work in Alabama. Then I wondered what everyone who sees this does for work…and if they noticed the Sunrise on their way.

Then I wondered if others feel as happy-go-lucky as I imaged Matt felt when he took this photo. I certainly do this morning.

Whistle while you work…….,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. Would love to share the sunrise you saw this morning on your way to work. Send it to contact@Superpowers365.com or PM me on Facebook, we’ll mention you in the photo and let you know when it posts.

Commitment

Anything that grows in the desert deserves respect for the commitment. In this stunning sunrise in Tucson, Arizona taken by Jennifer Mouso, the rising sun and the tree standing tall actually seem committed to each other.

Finding purpose and growing into it has it’s challenges but is always worth the commitment.

Stand tall,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. Have a sunrise photo you’d like to share? Send it to contact@superpowers365.com. We’ll mention you and let you know when it posts.

Grace

It is almost like the street light in this photo is shining it’s spotlight on the graceful rise of the morning sun.

This beautiful sunrise in Lacey, Washington was generously provided by my friend Cate Berry.

Blessings,

Debbie Donaldson, Champion for Good

P.S. If you a Sunrise photo to share, PM us on Facebook at Superpowers365. We’ll mention you in the photo.