Set Your Goals by digitalrn

Set Your Goals

On my drive home this evening I stopped by a local walking path. It had been raining earlier so I thought I might be lucky enough to grab a few close-ups of some flowers still covered with water drops. As I walked along, I noticed this tree which shot upwards from the bank, and along side of the trunk near the bottom this healthy looking vine had already begun making its way up the long tree trunk. I stood there and looked up the long trunk and wondered if it was going to climb all the way to the top. If so, that was quite a goal, but yet, quite attainable. It made me think about some of the personal goals I had set for myself during the past thirty years. I am happy to say that most of them I have achieved. Was it easy? Not at all. Did it take self-determination and sacrifice? Yes it did. Did I fail along the way? Several times, but I was determined to finish what I started so I got back up and went at it again. That's life basically in a nut shell. Life is going to throw you many curves along your journey, and there are going to be times when you really screw up and fail miserably. Who doesn't? Dust yourself off and start anew. It's the only way your going to get where you want to go. Sorry, didn't mean to lecture. Nothing ever came easy for me. Through life I learned that if I wanted something I needed to work hard for it, and because of that I have learned to appreciate what I have. Life is good.
Aww man.. Tis is a really cool picture, and a great story, with quite the message! I can't help but agree with that last sentence, though!
August 13th, 2010  
Great shot and beautiful sentiment!
August 13th, 2010  
Great message in your caption. Your are a thoughtful man.
August 13th, 2010  
Nice shot and commentary.
August 13th, 2010  
Well said, and so very true. Not a lecture, just affirmation of what we all know.
August 13th, 2010  
Love the angle and perspective Rick. Beautiful shades of green too. Great pic and lovely true caption.
August 13th, 2010  
nice tree... I like the vine growing up the tree... as per your question about rain:

"Yeah worst rain ever in Saskatchwan... farmers has lost 7 billion, 50% of crops did not get in... in some areas that is 90% in some areas that is 10%, but still very bad... cities are being 'washed' away and the government insurance guys have been doubled because there is so many claims everywhere..."
August 13th, 2010  
Beautiful shot... aspire!
August 13th, 2010  
All of the greens really are gorgeous. As far as your message, I'm currently in the process of making lemonade. I hear ya loud and clear. :)
August 13th, 2010  
it really did rain everywhere today, didnt it! love the angle of this! gorgeous.
August 13th, 2010  
Love the green against that long long trunk...thanks for sharing with us. True appreciation comes from struggle.
August 13th, 2010  
nice angle:). feel so fresh and cool :)
August 13th, 2010  
how did you do the frame? its very nice! plese teach me rick
August 13th, 2010  
Wow, this is amaziiing!
August 13th, 2010  
That's a great shot and again, amazing words! It's so neat to look at creation and to ponder all the lessons we can learn.
August 13th, 2010  
very introspective thoughts, rick. well said!
love the perspective--lovely shot!!
August 13th, 2010  
I love your tree picture and your "story" with it. Your perspective is very interesting -- both of the tree and of yourself.
August 13th, 2010  
Sue
Thank you so much for those words, they are very inspiring and we need to be reminded of this now and again. A vine climbing a tree represents so much, and looks good doing it too!
August 13th, 2010  
love this one Rick!
August 13th, 2010  
Great perspective, Rick!! I love the title!
August 13th, 2010  
Great shot, I love the frame!
August 13th, 2010  
your caption is so refreshing. thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world.... I can see you have experience and you know right from wrong.... LOVE the photo too....
August 13th, 2010  
Stunning- great perspective!
August 13th, 2010  
great perspective.
August 13th, 2010  
Here here Rick great sentiment that I believe in too, after more than my fair share of knock backs, remember if it doesn't kill it makes you stronger, love the pic too :-))
August 13th, 2010  
Wow, nice. Words to live by and I agree - Life is good. Thanks for sharing Rick.
August 13th, 2010  
Rick, again your photo and words are amazing. I love logging on to see what you have posted so a big thank you.
August 13th, 2010  
love this, great shot!!
August 13th, 2010  
What a great picture and love your words!
Life is not easy,I've sacrificed so much and made many mistakes,but I agree, Life is good!
I fav this because it's a wonderful photo but most of all you have made me think long and hard about my life,my mistakes and that I am not alone on this difficult journey....
August 13th, 2010  
what a great shot. I like the use of the flash on this image. it really helps add to the size of the tree, how it fades to black. Well done.
August 13th, 2010  
Well spoken - it's nice to hear that message, we don't often stop to reflect on our lives & how we came to be where we are in life.
Thank you - I love this photo.
August 13th, 2010  
One heck-of-a tree!
August 13th, 2010  
love the perspective and angle
August 13th, 2010  
I like the perspective - love looking up at tall things. My husband tells me i overuse that, I think it's fun.
Love also how green and leafy your tree is.
August 13th, 2010  
Excellent, RIck. I love trees so thanks for posting such a nice shot.
PS the thoughts are challenging as well. Thanks for posting them.
August 13th, 2010  
Very nice and i just have to say you are also good in writing..i love all the thoughts you share..=)
August 13th, 2010  
Love this photo and and your commentary, Rick. Makes me think of one of my dear friends who is going through probably the most difficult time of his life right now. I pray he has the strength to get through all he will have to endure in the next couple years.
August 13th, 2010  
Hope that vine gets to the top of the tree,nice picture and caption.
August 13th, 2010  
another fantastic shot! , love the framing rick! and i like the commentary too ...
August 13th, 2010  
Nice perspective of the tree and a great perspective on life.
August 13th, 2010  
beautiful...all of it.
August 13th, 2010  
Great shot! Love the color!
August 13th, 2010  
*love* not just the shot, but your reflection. thanks for taking the time to share!
August 13th, 2010  
A very handsome shot.
August 14th, 2010  
pretty shot and your words are very inpsiring.....we share the same thought that you have to work hard to achieve your goals--unfortunately so many kids today want the easy way out--they dont want to WORK---very frustrating as a teacher!
August 14th, 2010  
Beautiful photo...but more beautiful are your words. I too have never had anything just handed to me...and many things have even been taken away from me. I know that it's made me the person that I am. Thanks for this reminder.
August 14th, 2010  
what a gorgeous photo Rick and your commentary so very very......wow.... an absolute 'fav'
August 14th, 2010  
Reaching up is the only way to go unless you're reaching down to help a friend. Thanks for the reminder! Great shot!
August 14th, 2010  
Congrats, Rick, your tree and its vine is growing on the Popular Page.
I'm being careful of your tree, though, as I'm pretty sure that the vine is poison ivy. You're not scratching -- are you?
August 15th, 2010  
Very cool shot - love the perspective! I love how you compared it to your life goals. If you made it to where you were going, I wouldn't say you ever failed along the way. Stumbled, tripped up.. but never failed :).
August 16th, 2010  
This is an amazingly beautiful perspective and your words are inspiring. I've done some really hard things in my life, but it's only been recently that I've looked back and thot, "how did I do that?" It really is amazing what we can accomplish when we put our mind to it. Thanks for the inspiration, Rick.
August 20th, 2010  
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