I love this and believe that beauty will save us all in this tumultuous time. Thank goodness spring is bursting everywhere we look! Thank you for this story.
I have to admit, when you mentioned finding beauty in mud, I chuckled. My first thought was of my dog rolling around in the garden after a rainstorm! But then I thought about it, and you're absolutely right. Even in the messiest situations, there's potential for something beautiful to emerge. It’s like those moments when you make a mistake, and it leads to an unexpected discovery. It’s not always pretty at first, but there's beauty in the process, in the resilience, in the transformation. Plus, the image of a lotus flower in mud is just perfect.
Dirty dogs are the best! Especially when they're someone else's 🤣 🤣 🤣 I was walking in NYC today, and it's dirty and smelly, but there's something about the wide assortment of people, the huge buildings, and the neon signs everywhere that make it beautiful and why so many people love living there. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
As a woman in recovery from alcohol and any kind of medication, I've realized lately how I ruminate and obsess. I can quiet my mind while walking in the forest - sometimes - or on the yoga mat and in savasana, but at 3:30 in the morning on comes the dark chatter. Also as a woman in recovery, I believe in synchronicity. When I ask for the help of Grace, miracles occur. When I label my thoughts "thinking," as Pema Chodron suggests, suddenly I notice a fragrance or flower or bird. Thus your comment "Call it serendipity, but I had recently decided to focus on finding beauty in every moment. I didn't have to expend any effort this morning searching because it had simply appeared" resonates. It's okay to want to make our world a better place and also to savor tiny miracles.
I want to leave the world a more beautiful place, so I put that intention out there to the universe. Then, I started noticing the beauty that was already there. I definitely wouldn't have seen those things 20 years ago when I was so busy raising my family.
I also read Pema's book and say "thinking" to myself when I obsess.
Kirie, you always know exactly what I mean and then say what I have in mind even better than I can. I'm grateful for you!
If this rainbow happened 20 years earlier, and it probably did, I wouldn't have noticed it. Being open and having the time to appreciate these moments go together. Cheers to receiving more beauty into our lives.
I’ve spent the past week hand sowing flower seeds deep into the earth for this very reason. Your post is such a beautiful & lovely approach to this season.
Years ago, during a training I attended, my teacher asked the group something to the effect of, " How many ways do you consciously bring Shri (beauty, auspiciousness) into your life? And when you leave here, what will you do?" I thought, "Flowers"!! So, for years now, I have been buying fresh flowers to brighten the day and remind me that flowers are a gift of beauty. I'm not much of a gardener, but I've planted a few daffodils because they pretty much grow themselves, and they, too, remind me of life's tender graces.
I love daffodils, too. First, they smell great. Second, their yellow color is so uplifting, plus there is little effort on your part. The same applies to ranunculus, anemones, and dahlias. It's plant and forget!
Of course, the yogis already thought of Shri! Yoga for the win!
As Confucius says, “everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.” That was my yoga saying for the week and a good reminder to stay in the present and be aware. Everything has its beauty-we just have to choose to see it! Namaste.
Late last Summer I brought a little “vase” (an upcycled but cute maple syrup jar) full of black-eyed Susans from my garden to the woman who was going to give me a facial. She was very touched and even posted about it….She often has a little dish of Hershey’s Kisses on her counter for her clients, which I always enjoy! So, the next time I saw her, I brought a jam jar full of flowers I was growing - zinnias, etc…She still thanks me when I see her! It made me happy each time to see her big smile and know that I brought her some cheer. I continue to save those syrup & jam jars, often to my family’s dismay!
I also save the sturdy & pretty little bags from small stores & boutiques, and I fill them with tomatoes from my garden for my neighbors every summer. Sharing brings me a smile too!
I love black-eyed susans. They remind me of my daughter, who had blonde hair as a kid and the warmest brown eyes. Women usually appreciate flowers more than men, but I have some gay friends with whom I may just share some homegrown flowers with. You're right to bring up sharing as important, even something as small as a Hershey's Kiss.
Homegrown tomatoes- now that's really something! I hope someone gifts me some this summer.
I also collect vases for my bouquets, but it's mostly been through my husband's shopping at the dollar store. I need tall ones for my flowers.
I recently read of a woman whose husband and children would pick wildflowers and grasses to bring home to her. She'd get out a vase and arrange these. The vases would only come out after the beauty was "found." She thought it over, then put vases out even if they were empty. It made her think, "Go look for beauty." (something like that). Yesterday as we were driving up our road coming back from town I really looked at the tall yellow grasses dotting the dry landscape. Things are starting to "green up" but it will still be awhile here in Montana. We just got a spring snow. I really looked at the grasses, and how interesting and beautiful they are, even dried up and yellowed. I decided to get my camera out today to photograph some for use in my art. We absolutely need to seek out beauty right now. I like how you frame it as an act of resistance.
I love that story about putting out an empty vase. It's heavy with symbolism and potential. I will keep that image in my head.
Grasses are so beautiful! The way the wind whips them and they always return to their upright posture. Things with small roots are strong, too. BTW-grasses look great in vases.
I have been forgetting to notice the beauty that surrounds me of late. I need to especially pay attention in my hour of grief. Thank you for this reminder.
Thank you for these positive thoughts this morning. Love the flowers!
You're welcome. I'm glad you like my flowers!
I love this and believe that beauty will save us all in this tumultuous time. Thank goodness spring is bursting everywhere we look! Thank you for this story.
Spring took its time getting here in New Jersey. Planting flowers is one way I keep my sanity during these times!
No question!!
I have to admit, when you mentioned finding beauty in mud, I chuckled. My first thought was of my dog rolling around in the garden after a rainstorm! But then I thought about it, and you're absolutely right. Even in the messiest situations, there's potential for something beautiful to emerge. It’s like those moments when you make a mistake, and it leads to an unexpected discovery. It’s not always pretty at first, but there's beauty in the process, in the resilience, in the transformation. Plus, the image of a lotus flower in mud is just perfect.
Dirty dogs are the best! Especially when they're someone else's 🤣 🤣 🤣 I was walking in NYC today, and it's dirty and smelly, but there's something about the wide assortment of people, the huge buildings, and the neon signs everywhere that make it beautiful and why so many people love living there. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
As a woman in recovery from alcohol and any kind of medication, I've realized lately how I ruminate and obsess. I can quiet my mind while walking in the forest - sometimes - or on the yoga mat and in savasana, but at 3:30 in the morning on comes the dark chatter. Also as a woman in recovery, I believe in synchronicity. When I ask for the help of Grace, miracles occur. When I label my thoughts "thinking," as Pema Chodron suggests, suddenly I notice a fragrance or flower or bird. Thus your comment "Call it serendipity, but I had recently decided to focus on finding beauty in every moment. I didn't have to expend any effort this morning searching because it had simply appeared" resonates. It's okay to want to make our world a better place and also to savor tiny miracles.
I want to leave the world a more beautiful place, so I put that intention out there to the universe. Then, I started noticing the beauty that was already there. I definitely wouldn't have seen those things 20 years ago when I was so busy raising my family.
I also read Pema's book and say "thinking" to myself when I obsess.
Kirie, you always know exactly what I mean and then say what I have in mind even better than I can. I'm grateful for you!
Great piece, thanks for writing it!
Who are you again?
Ilona Goanos: "My digital trance accompanied with a cup of Joe!" -- Ha! That describes us a lot of times.
I had to spit out my Joe on that line!
And I love your photos, your plants, and not least your little rainbow.
You have a noble, enlightened spirit whose photos and writings we love to follow!
If this rainbow happened 20 years earlier, and it probably did, I wouldn't have noticed it. Being open and having the time to appreciate these moments go together. Cheers to receiving more beauty into our lives.
I’ve spent the past week hand sowing flower seeds deep into the earth for this very reason. Your post is such a beautiful & lovely approach to this season.
This goes without saying, but please take some photos of your crop.
Oh yes, will do! I’m posting some seedlings that popped up within 3 days to my notes today.
Years ago, during a training I attended, my teacher asked the group something to the effect of, " How many ways do you consciously bring Shri (beauty, auspiciousness) into your life? And when you leave here, what will you do?" I thought, "Flowers"!! So, for years now, I have been buying fresh flowers to brighten the day and remind me that flowers are a gift of beauty. I'm not much of a gardener, but I've planted a few daffodils because they pretty much grow themselves, and they, too, remind me of life's tender graces.
I love daffodils, too. First, they smell great. Second, their yellow color is so uplifting, plus there is little effort on your part. The same applies to ranunculus, anemones, and dahlias. It's plant and forget!
Of course, the yogis already thought of Shri! Yoga for the win!
Thanks for the tip of other beauties that grow with little effort on my part! Not that I don’t want to learn, but I’m not very good at it.
As Confucius says, “everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.” That was my yoga saying for the week and a good reminder to stay in the present and be aware. Everything has its beauty-we just have to choose to see it! Namaste.
Love this, and it is so on point! Thank you, Marlo. Namaste!
Late last Summer I brought a little “vase” (an upcycled but cute maple syrup jar) full of black-eyed Susans from my garden to the woman who was going to give me a facial. She was very touched and even posted about it….She often has a little dish of Hershey’s Kisses on her counter for her clients, which I always enjoy! So, the next time I saw her, I brought a jam jar full of flowers I was growing - zinnias, etc…She still thanks me when I see her! It made me happy each time to see her big smile and know that I brought her some cheer. I continue to save those syrup & jam jars, often to my family’s dismay!
I also save the sturdy & pretty little bags from small stores & boutiques, and I fill them with tomatoes from my garden for my neighbors every summer. Sharing brings me a smile too!
I love black-eyed susans. They remind me of my daughter, who had blonde hair as a kid and the warmest brown eyes. Women usually appreciate flowers more than men, but I have some gay friends with whom I may just share some homegrown flowers with. You're right to bring up sharing as important, even something as small as a Hershey's Kiss.
Homegrown tomatoes- now that's really something! I hope someone gifts me some this summer.
I also collect vases for my bouquets, but it's mostly been through my husband's shopping at the dollar store. I need tall ones for my flowers.
I recently read of a woman whose husband and children would pick wildflowers and grasses to bring home to her. She'd get out a vase and arrange these. The vases would only come out after the beauty was "found." She thought it over, then put vases out even if they were empty. It made her think, "Go look for beauty." (something like that). Yesterday as we were driving up our road coming back from town I really looked at the tall yellow grasses dotting the dry landscape. Things are starting to "green up" but it will still be awhile here in Montana. We just got a spring snow. I really looked at the grasses, and how interesting and beautiful they are, even dried up and yellowed. I decided to get my camera out today to photograph some for use in my art. We absolutely need to seek out beauty right now. I like how you frame it as an act of resistance.
I love that story about putting out an empty vase. It's heavy with symbolism and potential. I will keep that image in my head.
Grasses are so beautiful! The way the wind whips them and they always return to their upright posture. Things with small roots are strong, too. BTW-grasses look great in vases.
Yes...I love grasses in vases too!
Thanks for the restack, Marlo!
I have been forgetting to notice the beauty that surrounds me of late. I need to especially pay attention in my hour of grief. Thank you for this reminder.