Showing posts with label Travel and Leisure. Show all posts

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Peace by Understanding

NjA Art & Photography

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Cultivating Gratitude and Presence in Life

There’s something radically liberating in realizing that life isn’t something you’re owed but a gift you get to unwrap each morning. When you shift your stance from entitlement to gratitude, a few powerful things happen:

You stop chasing more and start savoring what you have. For instance: ✅ Instead of “I deserve a bigger house,” you notice how the sunlight plays on your coffee cup or tea. ✅ Instead of “Why isn’t my life perfect?” you catch yourself smiling when a friend surprises you with a kind text.

You choose presence over distraction.
✅ Entitlement breeds restlessness—you’re always eyeing the next pleasure or status symbol.
✅ Gratitude anchors you in the now: you’ll find depth in the simplest moments, like listening to rain on the roof or feeling your heartbeat.

You transform obstacles into gifts.
✅ Hardship feels unfair when you believe you’re owed an easy path.
✅ But when life’s a gift—complete with sharp edges—you learn to polish rough moments into wisdom and resilience.

How to cultivate that sense of “gift mindset”?
✅ Morning gratitude pause: Before you scroll your phone, name three small wonders—For instance: warmth from a lamp, the taste of breakfast, a memory that makes you smile, a walk with your favorite creatures, etc.
✅ Evening reflection: Jot down one challenge you faced and the unexpected lesson it brought.
✅ Service ritual: Volunteer or help someone without keeping score. You’ll feel firsthand how generosity reminds you of your own abundance.

As you make these practices your own, you’ll notice a curious freedom: the less you demand, the richer life feels.

🥰☀️🧡

Friday, June 28, 2024

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, Making it One of the Steepest Railways in the World

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, a unique and historic funicular railway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, boasts some remarkable features. Here are some critical details about this extraordinary transportation system.

History:

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway was constructed in 1895 to transport passengers up the steep slopes of Lookout Mountain.

It was initially built to provide access to the Lookout Mountain House Hotel, a significant and popular tourist destination of its time.

The incline railway operated continuously for over 100 years, becoming a beloved Chattanooga landmark.

Technical Details:

The incline railway's maximum grade is 72.7%, making it one of the steepest passenger railways in the world. It covers 1.1 miles and climbs 1,750 feet in elevation from the Chattanooga Valley to the top of Lookout Mountain.

Two counterbalanced cars, each with a capacity of 40 passengers, are connected by a cable and move simultaneously in opposite directions.

The cars are powered by an electric motor, which controls the speed and braking of the system.

Attractions:

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway offers breathtaking panoramic views of Chattanooga, the Tennessee River, and the surrounding mountains, making it a must-see for any visitor.

At the top of the incline, visitors can explore historic sites like Point Park, which offers breathtaking vistas of the Chattanooga region.

The incline railway is a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a unique and thrilling transportation experience.

Restoration and Preservation:

In the early 2000s, the incline railway underwent a significant renovation and modernization project to ensure its continued safe operation.

Today, the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is maintained and operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), ensuring its preservation as a cherished local landmark and tourist destination.

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a remarkable engineering feat and an iconic piece of Chattanooga's history. It offers visitors a one-of-a-kind transportation experience and stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty.

NjA Art & Photography