Your imagery of beauty as a salve to weary souls is powerful and evocative. I have found the seeking of beauty in the everyday a great antidote to my proclivity to despair and despondency - a ray of light, the smile of a stranger, the perfect amount of sauce on my bbq chicken... noticing it in the moment - JOY. THANK YOU
When I saw the title of your missive I immediately thought about The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, which references that phrase a number of times. I loved that book (especially the audio version) so much that I read it twice. At least as I understood it in the context of the book, that phrase is basically racist and a danger to any person who is different.
Also, your beans are LOVELY. I think I have a 15 bean soup kit at home - I might have to finally do something with it.
Tadpoles in the fountain. I was adding water to quiet the pump as it struggled against the low water level. I noticed the tadpoles. We had pulled up the last of the tomato plants this week as they were tired and spindly. I was struck that I was giving up in the garden, nature was still starting new things.
Sunflowers all over the yard. That is making me smile. Hopeful too. Because after record floods here in July in our dear new home in Vermont I didn’t think they’d ever bloom. But they did. Many fell over in freak storms but I still have some to enjoy and boy, I am enjoying this gifts of hope.
So, yes - there are a lot of terrible things that happen in the world. So very true - and yes, it can be overwhelming. However, most people will not speak up when they see terrible things happening. Think of the world of good that can happen if people would just care for one second and speak up. I'm really more talking about terrible things happening to the powerless, the voiceless. It's estimated that more than 600,000 children suffer from abuse in the U.S. - with very few resources to go and be listened to and to get help. Ten million animals in the US die from abuse, every year. (As a side note, animal abuse is an indication of child abuse.) If we can make a positive difference in the life of those who suffer, then yes, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. Stop the abuse now and don't allowe the abused to suffer in silence. We live in a society that is becoming less and less compassionate. Let's be REVOLUTIONARY and have KINDNESS for each and every one of us.
For those of us who work in the care industry, and see the signs of abuse and suffering on a daily basis, experiencing compassion fatigue is very real. There is no escaping the cruelty of this world, but we have these things in our power: we can choose kindness and for the times when we are feeling overwhelmed, we can take time to soothe our souls with self-care.
Finished reading Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu. Such a beautiful story! I loved the line “is it a blessing or a curse”. Sometimes I need to be reminded to pray for perspective.
Hey Jeff. I don't have your gift (and it is a gift) with words, but I do observe life from a positive perspective. Twenty minutes ago my wife delivered a cup of coffee to my desk (I've worked from home the past 38 years), not because I asked her to, but because she thought I needed it. Then I read your notes for the week. As usual, most weeks, they caused me to reflect, to think, and to appreciate those in my life. Thanks to my wife of 42 years, and to you, my friend, of 3 years. We have never met in person, yet you have ability to move me. Thank you. All that in the past 35 minutes.
Your imagery of beauty as a salve to weary souls is powerful and evocative. I have found the seeking of beauty in the everyday a great antidote to my proclivity to despair and despondency - a ray of light, the smile of a stranger, the perfect amount of sauce on my bbq chicken... noticing it in the moment - JOY. THANK YOU
Yes, I think it's a tremendous antidote—and there's the invitation to be the stranger who offers the smile, sharing that gift with another human.
When I saw the title of your missive I immediately thought about The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, which references that phrase a number of times. I loved that book (especially the audio version) so much that I read it twice. At least as I understood it in the context of the book, that phrase is basically racist and a danger to any person who is different.
Also, your beans are LOVELY. I think I have a 15 bean soup kit at home - I might have to finally do something with it.
Tadpoles in the fountain. I was adding water to quiet the pump as it struggled against the low water level. I noticed the tadpoles. We had pulled up the last of the tomato plants this week as they were tired and spindly. I was struck that I was giving up in the garden, nature was still starting new things.
I went out of town, so my basil flowered. The bees! They are all over it - so many that I can hear the hum of their buzzing.
I always get annoyed when my basil flowers, because it's bad for my pesto but I guess it is good for someone else.
Sunflowers all over the yard. That is making me smile. Hopeful too. Because after record floods here in July in our dear new home in Vermont I didn’t think they’d ever bloom. But they did. Many fell over in freak storms but I still have some to enjoy and boy, I am enjoying this gifts of hope.
I've made it an intentional practice to ve aware of wonder all around me. Your writing helps to remind me.
So, yes - there are a lot of terrible things that happen in the world. So very true - and yes, it can be overwhelming. However, most people will not speak up when they see terrible things happening. Think of the world of good that can happen if people would just care for one second and speak up. I'm really more talking about terrible things happening to the powerless, the voiceless. It's estimated that more than 600,000 children suffer from abuse in the U.S. - with very few resources to go and be listened to and to get help. Ten million animals in the US die from abuse, every year. (As a side note, animal abuse is an indication of child abuse.) If we can make a positive difference in the life of those who suffer, then yes, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. Stop the abuse now and don't allowe the abused to suffer in silence. We live in a society that is becoming less and less compassionate. Let's be REVOLUTIONARY and have KINDNESS for each and every one of us.
For those of us who work in the care industry, and see the signs of abuse and suffering on a daily basis, experiencing compassion fatigue is very real. There is no escaping the cruelty of this world, but we have these things in our power: we can choose kindness and for the times when we are feeling overwhelmed, we can take time to soothe our souls with self-care.
Help me understand what your objection is here. I don't think I suggested that where we see harm, we should say nothing.
My daughters foot with the 21 stitches finally removed! Healing scars serving as her badge of honor in injury recovery.
After taking 15 years to care for her aging parents, my friend has finally emerged back into the world. We had
lunch last week and we took up right where we had left off. ❤️
That kind of friendship, where the conversations just resume, is a treasure.
Finished reading Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu. Such a beautiful story! I loved the line “is it a blessing or a curse”. Sometimes I need to be reminded to pray for perspective.
When I stopped to greet my favorite tree this morning, two grasshoppers were mating. Now I happen to think that was a beautiful start to my day.
Jeff, You lovingly captured the joy of finding beauty in everyday thing. Great job. D
Hey Jeff. I don't have your gift (and it is a gift) with words, but I do observe life from a positive perspective. Twenty minutes ago my wife delivered a cup of coffee to my desk (I've worked from home the past 38 years), not because I asked her to, but because she thought I needed it. Then I read your notes for the week. As usual, most weeks, they caused me to reflect, to think, and to appreciate those in my life. Thanks to my wife of 42 years, and to you, my friend, of 3 years. We have never met in person, yet you have ability to move me. Thank you. All that in the past 35 minutes.
You are very kind! The delivery of an afternoon coffee is unquestionably a lovely grace.
Hummingbirds.
Sunflowers.
Freshly made macaroons.
My children laughing together.
Wonderful, thought pondering post. Thanks
I love the paint peeling concrete walls I saw recently. The cracks and chips. The fading colors of paints. Collage walls sharing beauty
💗”collage walls sharing beauty”