What Makes You Happy??

Over at Focusing On Life this week, Deanna wrote a post titled Money Can't Buy Happiness... This got me thinking about my own happiness, and what really makes me happy.

True happiness does not come from financial status or material possessions... These things can come and go. You cannot put a price tag on true happiness.

North Burleigh Beach, QLD

I believe that:
Happiness comes from your attitude to life; how you look at life not only when circumstances are great but also when they are difficult.
Happiness is also directly related to how grateful you are.
I have never been in the situation of having a lot of money or possessions. However, every day I choose to be grateful for what I have. I am thankful that we are able to pay our bills every week. I am thankful that we can eat healthy food and have the things in life we need.
Basically I am grateful for God's provision for our needs.

Currumbin Beach, QLD, looking towards Currumbin Rock

I am grateful that I have a wonderful family; my parents, my 4 siblings, my husband, our 9 children, their partners, and my grandchildren.
Although it is incredibly difficult, I am grateful for those family members who have estranged themselves from our family. I pray daily for restoration of relationships so our family can be whole.
I am grateful for my wonderful friends, who constantly encourage me and keep me grounded.
I have people in my life (both family and friends) who encourage me to be the best I can, and love me for who I am. It is these people who I choose to enjoy life with. They are the ones I am blessed to share memories with; and it is those memories that bring me great joy!

Kirra Beach, QLD

I am surrounded by the beauty of nature, which I can see, hear, touch, smell and photograph. My photography allows me to capture moments of that beauty -- for that I am incredibly grateful!
I have my faith, which provides me with comfort, peace, joy and love. I am blessed!

Kirra Beach, QLD

So, in short, my happiness is a direct result of my gratitude.
The things that really make me happy are my faith, God's provision, my family, friends, creating memories, nature, and photography.


WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY??

        

South East QLD Coastal Journey: Burleigh Beach

As I look through my beach images to do this series, I am realising that I don't have a lot of day time images of the beaches I will be posting about.We live about 45 mins north of the closest ocean beach and we often drive down to capture sunsets. We usually arrive mid morning or around lunch time, but it seems I spend much of that time stalking birds; Seagulls, Terns, Oystercatchers, Ospreys & similar.

I must rectify the lack of daytime images soon. I have also discovered that I haven't explored some beaches... Both on my to do list now! The beaches north of Currumbin are wonderful beaches and deserve to be shared. Until we head back south to the Gold Coast, I will continue to share what I have.

Beaches north of Currumbin still to be revisited & photographed are:

Palm Beach
Tallebudgerah Beach
Tallebudgerah Creek Beach
Sandy Cove & Echo Beach

Next is Burleigh Heads and North Burleigh Beach.

Burleigh Heads beach consists of a fantastic rocky headland which is home to a number of  birds; Silver Gulls, Crested Terns, Common Terns, Sooty Oystercatchers & Eastern Reef Egrets. The rocks are also a great spot to sit and enjoy the sun, explore the rock pools & watch the locals surf.

Looking from Burleigh Heads beach towards Surfer's Paradise city...

Looking south from the rocky headland on North Burleigh Beach... the headland in the distance is Burleigh Heads.

Up above on North Burleigh lookout, there are "love locks" scattered along the wire railings.

Looking north from the lookout along Miami Beach with the sky scrapers of Surfer's Paradise in the distance...

And looking south along North Burleigh beach all the way to Burleigh Heads

North Burleigh lookout is a great spot to enjoy both sunrise and sunset (this is sunset), and the spectacular views!

Linking up with these memes: