My immediate beauty is my prayers answered today. My daughter relapsed a week ago and is now in a safe place today.
I am filled with so much gratitude. I can breathe again and hope that she continues on a path of wellness and recovery.
In front of a comfortable sofa in my living room, where my guests are taking their seat and where I love to sit also, there is hanging a wood-carved piece of Art at the wall, symbolically representing the Bodhitree. It is handmade and somehow is inspiring my guests as well as myself whenever our vision rest on it. On sunny days, the leaves arranged in a spiral are reflected in the table in front of it, which has a light green surface of glass, in a refined way doubling its touching beauty. The spiral appears almost like a sun, almost as if radiating out with its heart-shaped leaves to the heart of the ones when sitting in front of it. To me, it is a symbol of life, of breath, of all embracing plain beauty.
I am sitting here at my office desk in Western New York, the sky is grey and the air is crisp. What possible beauty is in this? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. Being from the northern reaches of Minnesota, I do not reflex away from the cold air. The crispness of the air makes me feel alive. The greyness of the sky says there is more snow on the way. Half the snow that covered the ground this morning has melted away, leaving a mix of white across the landscape. Behind me, my dog is snoring as he comfortably sleeps in his bed. A blue jay atop the locust tree outside my window calls out in the quiet of the afternoon, its brilliant plumage starkly contrasting against the sky. What isn’t beautiful in all of this?
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
At the moment, I am in my living room, which has some beautiful objects–art and mementos–as well as wonderful light and, presently, beautiful tranquility. I am also thinking about the beauty of the human body, which is allowing me to do so much right now–breathing, thinking, metabolizing food–even in a relatively still moment.
This morning, my schedule was a little different, and I was able to go for a run at the park near my house when I woke up. The trees are so beautiful right now, and I had some moments of real privacy there. I am quite fortunate to have this space so close to my home.
The vast blue sky & sun shining bright that I see out my bedroom window. An occasional yellow leaf slowly drifting down from “Tommy the Tree”, my next door neighbor. This calm & quiet is a tranquil beauty that I can see and can feel.
I am blessed.
Many a day I see the wonder, many a day I see darkness. The play of time, the play of joy, the play of “beauty”, today I look around and see the light shining on our beautiful city knowing beauty is everywhere. Thanks for this moment of noticing.
This question made me look outside to where trees wearing brilliant fall colors stand against evergreens in our neighborhood and the park that lies immediately behind the end of our street. I look inside at the pieces of art we have hung on our walls and think of the story that goes with each piece. I look at the dancing flames in the gas fireplace I turn on for a few minutes in the morning to have its warmth and the beauty of the light that keeps changing. Flame is magic and beauty.
Maybe everywhere in everything like a rainbow that we pull over in the car to watch before it goes away. We wait and savor every moment of it before it passes, trying to get a good look at it thru the window, remembering its beauty, and wonder when we will see it again? Even the challenging parts of life. There is a continual taste to it like when a bite of a piece of New York cheesecake first hits your taste buds!
Beauty is such a challenging word. This morning as I look out my office window, I see trees. All of their leaves are gone. Their vulnerability is beautiful to me. They will stand tall through the winter wind and snows. Our first snow is due tonight. They are my teachers. They trust the process, the cycle of birth, death, and resurrection that marks everyone’s life.
Beauty is a word we often equate with the physical and for women in our country and culture beauty is definitely tied to youth. If a woman shows her age, she is over the hill. I must admit, it hasn’t been easy for me to accept how old I look. I told a neighbor yesterday, “I don’t mind being old but I have a hard time looking old!” So today’s question is a reminder that beauty is as beauty does. The image of a well-worn teddy bear comes to mind. What good is a teddy bear unless it’s well worn? 🙂
I give thanks that today I’m still kicking. I give thanks for this beautiful site and the beautiful people who gather here.
I totally understand what you are saying re: beauty for women. I agree, I don’t want to look old and I don’t feel old, and I have come to understand that how others see me also depends on my spirit–if I continue to look for the good in the world and in myself and my family, I retain a youthful energy.
Carol, your comment about growing old and looking old reminds me of something my mom used to say. As she developed wrinkles she said, “at least they’re smile wrinkles!” She was a generally happy woman and that showed on her face. I think about that at times when my face might be scrunched up, whether in thought or unhappiness–what kind of life am I etching into my face? What marks do I want to leave?
I see the limp flags which indicates no wind.
The furnace humming, reminding me of the warmth in my house.
The smell of my tea brewing.
The sound of my husband’s voice wishing me a good day.
Possibilities dancing in my head.
The strength in my legs to get me up and moving.
All beauty.
Looking at our dog, Joy, sleeping on her dog bed is beautiful to me. Looking at that cup of coffee I have just poured that is sitting next to my chair, waiting for me to consume it.
And now Joy, our dog, has just woken up, she stretches and moves over to me to be greeted and petted. And the best part is I get to say, “Good morning, Joy!” How could a day not be filled with beauty when you welcome JOY into your morning? I named her Joy for two reasons; so I could greet each new day with a welcome to joy, and also for a friend who helped us find her.
I look around and see the contents of our home, warmish in this new day, filled with memories of people who have visited, sat with us, suppered with us, and enhanced our lives…that is also beauty to me…..good memories are a thing of beauty. I need to add this…just saw it on FB and thought it was very appropriate….
“Walking in Beauty: Closing Prayer from the Navajo Blessing Way Ceremony”
In beauty I walk
With beauty before me I walk
With beauty behind me I walk
With beauty above me I walk
With beauty around me I walk
It has become beauty again
Today I will walk out, today everything negative will leave me
I will be as I was before, I will have a cool breeze over my body.
I will have a light body, I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me.
I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me.
I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me.
I walk with beauty around me. My words will be beautiful.
In beauty all day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons, may I walk.
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With dew about my feet, may I walk.
With beauty before me may I walk.
With beauty behind me may I walk.
With beauty below me may I walk.
With beauty above me may I walk.
With beauty all around me may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk.
My words will be beautiful…
This an easy one. As I lay here in the dark, unable to sleep at 4:30am, my beautiful wife is quietly sleeping next to me. She is truly beautiful in every sense of the word.
John,
May the memories of your times together give you some comfort. I still miss my late husband, and I know how hard the holidays can be, so my prayers will be with you in the coming season….
I am deeply sorry for your loss….
I am very sorry for the loss of your wife, John. My husband and I were just talking about this this morning, knowing that it could come at any time. I wish you peace as you go through this difficult time.
My Christmas cactus is heavily adorned in brilliant cyan blooms and is on the dresser opposite where I sit at the kitchen table to do admin work. I look up at it every so often to take a screen break and revel in its beauty as I know the blooms will soon fade.
The bald cypress is finally changing colors. It’s a late transformer. In a few days it’ll look like a match on fire. I’m also appreciating a Moroccan style walk hanging and acacia wood dresser that I “forget” to see because they are around me daily. When I pause there is so much beauty around and in my home. I’m truly grateful.
The beauty of darkness around me with silence. My hot cup of coffee as I sit here thinking of my day and the gratitude that fills my heart I see and feel beauty in me.
The fire in the wood stove crackling and providing our home warmth with the labor I am so grateful to be able to provide. The first blanket of snow glowing softly outside this early morning in the light of the waning moon.
I have beautiful objects, energy exuding stones, and an assortment of keepsakes that hold treasured memories and moments of my life from working with children and adults over the past fifty years. These items surround my desk and home office area, and when I hold my gaze upon them, or pick them up, each have stories to tell and lessons to teach.
I have a beautiful orchid plant on our kitchen table that I can’t believe still has blooms. the petals are white with pale pink, and the center of the flowers are dark pink/purple. My husband bought it for me weeks back, and I just love it. There’s also a pale pumpkin sitting on the table. Its a white pumpkin that was part of a large bin that the store I work at couldn’t receive since supposedly they go bad quickly. I’ve had it over a month and am grateful the receiver let me bring one home. It hasn’t started rotting at all!
My neighbor’s beautiful cat sound asleep on my lap, the yellow chrysanthemums outside on our terrace, colored leaves on the peach tree and the sun coming through the light fog.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
My immediate beauty is my prayers answered today. My daughter relapsed a week ago and is now in a safe place today.
I am filled with so much gratitude. I can breathe again and hope that she continues on a path of wellness and recovery.
In front of a comfortable sofa in my living room, where my guests are taking their seat and where I love to sit also, there is hanging a wood-carved piece of Art at the wall, symbolically representing the Bodhitree. It is handmade and somehow is inspiring my guests as well as myself whenever our vision rest on it. On sunny days, the leaves arranged in a spiral are reflected in the table in front of it, which has a light green surface of glass, in a refined way doubling its touching beauty. The spiral appears almost like a sun, almost as if radiating out with its heart-shaped leaves to the heart of the ones when sitting in front of it. To me, it is a symbol of life, of breath, of all embracing plain beauty.
I am sitting here at my office desk in Western New York, the sky is grey and the air is crisp. What possible beauty is in this? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. Being from the northern reaches of Minnesota, I do not reflex away from the cold air. The crispness of the air makes me feel alive. The greyness of the sky says there is more snow on the way. Half the snow that covered the ground this morning has melted away, leaving a mix of white across the landscape. Behind me, my dog is snoring as he comfortably sleeps in his bed. A blue jay atop the locust tree outside my window calls out in the quiet of the afternoon, its brilliant plumage starkly contrasting against the sky. What isn’t beautiful in all of this?
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
this made me smile ⭐
At the moment, I am in my living room, which has some beautiful objects–art and mementos–as well as wonderful light and, presently, beautiful tranquility. I am also thinking about the beauty of the human body, which is allowing me to do so much right now–breathing, thinking, metabolizing food–even in a relatively still moment.
This morning, my schedule was a little different, and I was able to go for a run at the park near my house when I woke up. The trees are so beautiful right now, and I had some moments of real privacy there. I am quite fortunate to have this space so close to my home.
The leaves all around our home are brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. The sky is bright blue. What a glorious day!
The vast blue sky & sun shining bright that I see out my bedroom window. An occasional yellow leaf slowly drifting down from “Tommy the Tree”, my next door neighbor. This calm & quiet is a tranquil beauty that I can see and can feel.
I am blessed.
Many a day I see the wonder, many a day I see darkness. The play of time, the play of joy, the play of “beauty”, today I look around and see the light shining on our beautiful city knowing beauty is everywhere. Thanks for this moment of noticing.
This question made me look outside to where trees wearing brilliant fall colors stand against evergreens in our neighborhood and the park that lies immediately behind the end of our street. I look inside at the pieces of art we have hung on our walls and think of the story that goes with each piece. I look at the dancing flames in the gas fireplace I turn on for a few minutes in the morning to have its warmth and the beauty of the light that keeps changing. Flame is magic and beauty.
Maybe everywhere in everything like a rainbow that we pull over in the car to watch before it goes away. We wait and savor every moment of it before it passes, trying to get a good look at it thru the window, remembering its beauty, and wonder when we will see it again? Even the challenging parts of life. There is a continual taste to it like when a bite of a piece of New York cheesecake first hits your taste buds!
Beauty is such a challenging word. This morning as I look out my office window, I see trees. All of their leaves are gone. Their vulnerability is beautiful to me. They will stand tall through the winter wind and snows. Our first snow is due tonight. They are my teachers. They trust the process, the cycle of birth, death, and resurrection that marks everyone’s life.
Beauty is a word we often equate with the physical and for women in our country and culture beauty is definitely tied to youth. If a woman shows her age, she is over the hill. I must admit, it hasn’t been easy for me to accept how old I look. I told a neighbor yesterday, “I don’t mind being old but I have a hard time looking old!” So today’s question is a reminder that beauty is as beauty does. The image of a well-worn teddy bear comes to mind. What good is a teddy bear unless it’s well worn? 🙂
I give thanks that today I’m still kicking. I give thanks for this beautiful site and the beautiful people who gather here.
I totally understand what you are saying re: beauty for women. I agree, I don’t want to look old and I don’t feel old, and I have come to understand that how others see me also depends on my spirit–if I continue to look for the good in the world and in myself and my family, I retain a youthful energy.
Carol, your comment about growing old and looking old reminds me of something my mom used to say. As she developed wrinkles she said, “at least they’re smile wrinkles!” She was a generally happy woman and that showed on her face. I think about that at times when my face might be scrunched up, whether in thought or unhappiness–what kind of life am I etching into my face? What marks do I want to leave?
I see the limp flags which indicates no wind.
The furnace humming, reminding me of the warmth in my house.
The smell of my tea brewing.
The sound of my husband’s voice wishing me a good day.
Possibilities dancing in my head.
The strength in my legs to get me up and moving.
All beauty.
hmm– I read the question– I paused to look around and within for the treasures of the moment 🙂
Looking at our dog, Joy, sleeping on her dog bed is beautiful to me. Looking at that cup of coffee I have just poured that is sitting next to my chair, waiting for me to consume it.
And now Joy, our dog, has just woken up, she stretches and moves over to me to be greeted and petted. And the best part is I get to say, “Good morning, Joy!” How could a day not be filled with beauty when you welcome JOY into your morning? I named her Joy for two reasons; so I could greet each new day with a welcome to joy, and also for a friend who helped us find her.
I look around and see the contents of our home, warmish in this new day, filled with memories of people who have visited, sat with us, suppered with us, and enhanced our lives…that is also beauty to me…..good memories are a thing of beauty. I need to add this…just saw it on FB and thought it was very appropriate….
“Walking in Beauty: Closing Prayer from the Navajo Blessing Way Ceremony”
In beauty I walk
With beauty before me I walk
With beauty behind me I walk
With beauty above me I walk
With beauty around me I walk
It has become beauty again
Today I will walk out, today everything negative will leave me
I will be as I was before, I will have a cool breeze over my body.
I will have a light body, I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me.
I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me.
I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me.
I walk with beauty around me. My words will be beautiful.
In beauty all day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons, may I walk.
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With dew about my feet, may I walk.
With beauty before me may I walk.
With beauty behind me may I walk.
With beauty below me may I walk.
With beauty above me may I walk.
With beauty all around me may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk.
My words will be beautiful…
This an easy one. As I lay here in the dark, unable to sleep at 4:30am, my beautiful wife is quietly sleeping next to me. She is truly beautiful in every sense of the word.
Well done to savor the moments with her!! I lost my wife of 37 years about one month ago and would give anything to spend just one more day with her.
John,
May the memories of your times together give you some comfort. I still miss my late husband, and I know how hard the holidays can be, so my prayers will be with you in the coming season….
I am deeply sorry for your loss….
My deepest sympathies to you John on the loss of your wife.
I am very sorry for the loss of your wife, John. My husband and I were just talking about this this morning, knowing that it could come at any time. I wish you peace as you go through this difficult time.
Dear John, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you a hug & love. ✨🙏🏻❤️
My Christmas cactus is heavily adorned in brilliant cyan blooms and is on the dresser opposite where I sit at the kitchen table to do admin work. I look up at it every so often to take a screen break and revel in its beauty as I know the blooms will soon fade.
The bald cypress is finally changing colors. It’s a late transformer. In a few days it’ll look like a match on fire. I’m also appreciating a Moroccan style walk hanging and acacia wood dresser that I “forget” to see because they are around me daily. When I pause there is so much beauty around and in my home. I’m truly grateful.
In the stunningly brilliant sunrise moment which now concludes my morning meditation. GOD BE PRAISED!
The beauty of darkness around me with silence. My hot cup of coffee as I sit here thinking of my day and the gratitude that fills my heart I see and feel beauty in me.
There is beauty in the anticipation of a new day. What joys await me today?
The fire in the wood stove crackling and providing our home warmth with the labor I am so grateful to be able to provide. The first blanket of snow glowing softly outside this early morning in the light of the waning moon.
Beauty is in my warm, safe home with my family and sweet pets.
The beautiful sunshine over the canal’s here in Amsterdam and the old buildings are charming !
My cat sleeping here next to me, the sunlight from my window and the music I use to keep me company when I’m alone at home.
I have beautiful objects, energy exuding stones, and an assortment of keepsakes that hold treasured memories and moments of my life from working with children and adults over the past fifty years. These items surround my desk and home office area, and when I hold my gaze upon them, or pick them up, each have stories to tell and lessons to teach.
my cat playing around
I have a beautiful orchid plant on our kitchen table that I can’t believe still has blooms. the petals are white with pale pink, and the center of the flowers are dark pink/purple. My husband bought it for me weeks back, and I just love it. There’s also a pale pumpkin sitting on the table. Its a white pumpkin that was part of a large bin that the store I work at couldn’t receive since supposedly they go bad quickly. I’ve had it over a month and am grateful the receiver let me bring one home. It hasn’t started rotting at all!
My neighbor’s beautiful cat sound asleep on my lap, the yellow chrysanthemums outside on our terrace, colored leaves on the peach tree and the sun coming through the light fog.
I just finished this exercise. There is much beauty in the movements.
https://youtu.be/Lu4-_nxyxJo
Thank you so much for sharing! I love it! I will save it so I can do them throughout my day!
Have fun, Ana Maria 🤗