Wouldn’t it be nice to see some natural beauty right now? I am so thankful to live in the Florida Panhandle where nature and beauty put on a living art exhibit every day of the year. Nature is the nicest neighbor.
My human neighbors are just fine, but I don’t find myself eager to photograph them. Yes, they look okay, but nature outshines them.
All of the photos in this article were taken in Florida, most locations identified in captions.
It was lots of fun to browse through my photos and find just the thing that you can enjoy with me right now. Think of this as a refreshing pictorial break from whatever you are doing… a “walk in the woods” or “walk on the wildflower side”. Hope you find at least a couple of these that make you want to come visit or at least to share some thoughts!
Meander through the woods with me on this pleasant path.
A path at Lichgate on High Road in Tallahassee.
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Find Live Oaks showing off their friendship with Spanish Moss.
At Old City Cemetery in Tallahassee.
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Perhaps you prefer a vantage with a view of the local wildflowers.
Open field on Christy Cary Lane in Tallahassee.
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Happy flowers here attract the Zebra Longwing butterfly.
On my street (no I won’t post the name)!
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These Camellias bloom from November through January.
In my yard and so gorgeous.
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Then the Azaleas bloom from February through April.
Also in my own yard adding so much beauty.
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The gorgeous clusters on the Beautyberry can last for months.
Yep, still in my neighborhood. LOVE the color!
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Large creeks in Florida have alligators, turtles, and great fishing.
Black Creek is located in Middleburg, Florida.
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Lily pads seem so relaxed as they enjoy the sunshine.
Lovely lily pads located on Black Creek.
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Adventure awaits around the next bend!
This track is in Gadsden County near Havana, Florida.
-_-_-_-_-_-_ < Dang, sure hope y’all like the photos! > -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
By the way, if you are actually reading this…THANK YOU! Now could you do me a really super HUGE favor? Using the hashtag #embracesouthernstates please connect with me on these sites:
A young black girl struggles to find hope as she makes her way in the world. Happens every day, right? No one is surprised to hear about young black girls and women who struggle with low self-esteem, feelings of being frustrated, confused, and unloved. Or to hear that they struggle with addiction and unexpected pregnancy.
But wait! That is only the beginning of one woman’s truly inspiring story. Her personal journey included becoming a mother, finding faith, and learning lessons which would help not only herself but also thousands of others. HOPE with Dr. Rosalind Y. Tompkins can change the world.
Hope can change the world.
Some of the many accomplishments of Dr. Rosalind Y. Tompkins include author, columnist, humanitarian, life coach, mother, pastor, poet, speaker, traveler, and wife. Here is a timeline of a portion of her remarkable milestones.
1987 – Bachelor of Science (Social Work) from Florida State University
1991 – Founded non-profit Mothers in Crisis
1996 – Ordained as a Minister
1998 – Founded Turning Point International Church
2010 – Book “You Are Beautiful (Unlocking Beauty from Within)”
2012 – Honorary Humanities Doctorate from Five-Fold Ministries Theological University
2014 – Married Pastor R.L. Kwame Lewis
2018 – Helped get April designated as National Month of Hope
2019 – Book “As Long as There Is Breath In Your Body, There Is Still Hope”
2021 – “Masters and Doctorate of Divinity appointment as Ambassador of Foreign Affairs from B.C. Graham Theological Seminary.”
She shares her story in books, poetry, and so much more.
Dr. Tompkins is a HOPE-ologist who credits her exuberance to being “spirit-filled and full of hope”. As a hope life coach, pastor, and speaker she enthusiastically shares her personal story in efforts to bring hope to the world. She loves to help others become their best self. She beams with satisfaction when sharing that HOPE stands for Helping Others Practice Empowerment and that her non-profit Mothers in Crisis has helped over 10,000 overcome addiction, hatred, and divisions.
Here are a few excerpts from our recent interview.
Could you please explain what you do?
I fulfill my purpose to focus on HOPE by sharing my testimony and helping people get over or move beyond negative obstacles. Through the non-profit Mothers in Crisis and the Turning Point International Church I lead drug education, support groups, and children’s programs.
This has also included mission trips to several other countries. One poignant example was visiting a rape center where we gave gifts to the mothers and dolls to the children.
How are you able to do all this?
It is all by the grace of God allowing me to tap into my purpose and find my sweet spot. I don’t do religion, instead I come from a place of spirituality based on a personal relationship with God.
Often, I encourage others to ask God what they should do. When God guides, he provides. The provision is there when there is vision.
Could you speak a little more about travel?
Hope and help from above have led her travels.
Traveling to other countries is the most fun thing I’ve ever done. I look forward to returning some day to East Africa. I would love to visit Switzerland in the future. Of course, my hometown of Tallahassee is the beautiful capital city of Florida and a great destination in its own right.
What about your passions, hobbies, and creativity?
Praise and worship music that is positive and anointed is my passion. I love singers such as Travis Greene or William McDowell. I enjoy reading and one of my current favorite Christian authors is Kim Cash Tate. I like to express my own creativity through writing and poetry.
A few other things I enjoy are praying, watching streaming television, and rollerblading. Of course, I cherish time spent with family and friends as well as time spent in nature.
What is the connection between HOPE balls and the Month of Hope?
Mothers in Crisis started a local initiative that led to April being designated as the National Month of Hope. The goal is to “think hope” and “make hope connections”. We encourage others to start with a simple smile, then share their own hope stories, then find ways to help others. It could be by reading a book to a child, cleaning up a messy park, or giving to those in need.
We will send a free Hope Stress Ball to those in the USA who request it. The Balls for Hope Essay Contest will be awarding cash prizes in April. (See links below for details.)
Contact Dr. Tompkins about HOPE, stress balls, and faith!
What is your message to the world?
That no matter what is going on, THERE IS STILL HOPE!
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Dr. Tompkins meets with writer Angela L. Dowdy.
Dang, y’all! It was such a thrill to spend time with this incredible and motivational lady as she shared the things that are on her heart. Doctor Rosalind Y. Tompkins has a winning smile and a quality of empathy that is so deep and emotional. HOPE with Dr. Rosalind Y. Tompkins can change the world. If you need hope and encouragement, you may enjoy reading her books or speaking with her directly.
