Beauty
Connect the Dots
This banner picture pretty much sums up my thoughts from yesterday, on my birthday. When we look back we have a chance to connect the dots. We get to see that the entirety of life has brought us to this moment. Our entire history, the good and the bad, has contributed to who we are today.
And although we cannot go back and change the past we create a new past through what we do today. This is so wonderful when you pause for a moment and really see the possibilities. We can stop beating ourselves up over something that we can not do anything about, and, instead, put our energy into handling a similar situation, today, more skillfully. I suspect that is one reason grandparenting is a little like a second chance.
No matter how long we live if we have that tendency towards self-improvement, it doesn’t end at 50, 60, 70, or 76. But one thing that does lessen, is the bad habit of thinking we need to do more and be more. We are able to be a little more impartial and understand that we are humans and not robots. I err, therefore I am. However, my sense of things is that, if anything, we need to be more conscious of inviting beauty and kindness into our lives.
Luminous
A friend gave me a small poem by John O’Donohue and I particularly love the first two lines:
Set out that luminous glass bowl
where the sun can light it like
a small blue planet…
As I read the lines I immediately was flooded by memories where the stained glass or crystal bowl was dazzling in the sunlight. Or the shadow of the pussy willows in the earthenware vase created an understated reflection on the painted wall. I am of the opinion that we need beauty in our lives. That it is important to seek it out. Nature; art; music, dance; poetry; kindness, and cheerfulness. And also important to create beauty and opportunities for kindness. We are all made to create, not just a talented few.
VIP Ticket
I received a special gift from my teenage (16) granddaughter, yesterday; handwritten on plain paper. It was heartwarming for me, in its thoughtfulness and love, because it was about time and an awareness of things that I liked and that I would like to do with her. A teenager’s time is precious. The gift of her time for one day, from noon to bedtime, with me planning what we do is quite frankly remarkable. I asked her permission (no pressure) to share it with you and she said yes. I wanted to share it because this is a gift that money can’t buy. And I intend to fill our day with beauty and joy. It also inspires me to be more creative in my own gift-giving. Thank you, Sophie!
The things that count in our lives are most often things that can’t be counted. As we go forward, starting right where we are, may we all give and receive with a generosity of spirit while keeping our eyes peeled for the many faces of beauty.
NOTES
1:) Tomorrow happens to be International Dot Day and the amazing little book, The Dot, changed people’s lives by showing them how to make their mark. Here is a link to a fun exercise you can do with your friends or your kids. And a link to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this year’s host. Imagine over 19 million people around the world in 191 different countries celebrating The Dot and how it changed lives.
2:) A friend and reader of this blog sent us a link to an interesting photographic project on the full moon, collected over ten years. Enjoy here. And once again, thanks to Patricia Ryan Madson for her postcard painting that I am using as a banner photo.
3:) Enjoy this beautiful month of September. Try your best not to rush forward into imagining winter. Stick with autumn, one beautiful day at a time.
4:) I love the fact that you come by here and read my blog. Is this not joy for me! Thank you, thank you. See you next week. Warmest wishes, Trudy
Awwww, what a beautiful gift from Sophie. I LOVE it.
Happy birthday dear friend. Enjoy every second with Sophie.
xo
Thank you Nancy. I am looking forward to planning that day and enjoying that day. Lucky me. As always, trudy
HAPPYBIRTHDAY ON THE 13TH DEAR FREIND. you inspire me to stay engaged,see the little joys and remind me that there is so much we cannot fix so let it go. i wish,many years of good health Trudy and thank you for being one of God’s joyful angels.
Thank you dear Jean for your kind wishes. What a lovely expression “joyful angels.” I have several of those in my life. Hmm…🙂Thanks for these birthday greetings. Best wishes to you, trudy
Happy birthday a day late, dear Trudy. Thank you for this lovely offering and especially for sharing Sophie’s beautiful gift with us. What a grace to be a grandma! “For all that has been, thanks; for all that shall be, yes!” Beautiful and a definite challenge.
Thank you Carol. It’s never too late for kind words. And you are so right about the challenging aspect of that message. But we need to remember that it’s not about mastery rather it’s about a direction. Even with a map we can still make a wrong turn.No problem. Once we see it, we get ourselves turned around.Best wishes, Trudy
Happy Birthday, Trudy! What a nice present ! Adorable Sophie has become your wonderful company.
What a lovely way to put it dear Yoshie. Thanks for your lovely note. Big hugs across the world, Trudy
I am so touched by Sophie’s gift certificate, what a rich gift of herself! Also, I didn’t mean to mislead you but although the quote is from O’Donohue, I wrote the poem myself 🙂 inspired by his words. Keep on enjoying your birthday week/month/year Trudy. love to you,Jan
Wow! What a wonderful way to be misled Janice, my dear poet friend. I guess you will always need to sign your own poems. Haha. That makes the poem much more special. Gentle hugs, Trudy
How absolutely wonderful, dear Trudy:-) Have a great day with your granddaughter – better let’s say “another great day”! And Happy Birthday from me as well. May your days be happy and bright.
Big hug
Sabine
Thank you Sabine.i love your good wishes. Your part of Germany must be beautiful now. I have been there in the fall and loved it. Happy and bright days to you too. Warmly, Trudy
I’m sure you had a wonderful birthday. Regardless of age, birthday is a day of gratitude.
Thank you for your message that remind me of the beauty of the world and hope. It touched my heart that is tired from the unusually hot summer.
Yoko!!domo Arigato. 🙏🏻
ご親切に。(You are very kind)
ご多幸をお祈り申し上げます。(Best wishes to you)
Trudy
Happy Birthday dear friend.
I loved your message and especially loved Sophie’s gift.
Truly heartwarming and thoughtful. Thank you for all the joy you bring us!
Hi Teresa:
Thank you for this lovely note. And thank you for reading my blog. Happy Birthday to you, September child. Warmly, Trudy
Dear Trudy, happy belated birthday! I am most touched by your granddaughter’s gift to you! I trust you had a very special day. Please know that I look forward to your blog post every week! Warmly,
Connie Youmans
Thank you Connie for your dear note. I did have a lovely day. I feel fortunate that you look forward to my weekly musings. With gratitude, Trudy
Happy Birthday, Friend. My company that arrived on Thursday left on Monday, yesterday. I’m playing catchup. Such a heartfelt card from your grandaughter, what joy !
Yeah Kathryn. You have spoiled me with your weekly notes. Great to hear from you and thanks for your good wishes. A big hug across the miles. Trudy
Oh, dear! It only took me 3 weeks to read your lovely post, and to realize that we share birthdays. Happy belated birthday, Trudy – may the love in your birthday gifts carry you throughout the year and beyond! Thank you for all you share.