True Balance

Photo by Matt Lamphere

Photo courtesy of Matt Lamphere

I love to be surrounded by beautiful things. I am lover of color, texture, light and movement.

Fortunately, my family lives in one of the most naturally beautiful regions of northern Michigan.

I would like to share what I find to be beautiful with you and hope you take a minute to add your definitions to this post.

• Beauty is graceful and natural.

• The sensations you feel when your heart skips a beat.

• The low rise of steam dancing on the bay in the morning.

• The way the dragonfly floats through the air and lands on the reeds.

• The loving kindness one person shares with another.

• I feel beauty in my heart and soul.

• The village covered in powdery fresh snow.

• A vase filled with happy flowers.

• The wake created as you glide across the water.

• The quiet trickle of the rain.

• The smell of cedar incense filling the room.

• The Tao De Ching is beautiful.

• I think of the allure of a sunset.

• The elegance of a great Elm tree.

• The crooked smile on my daughter wears when she is delighted.

• The knowing look of a friend who loves me.

• Being instead of doing.

• Yoga makes me feel beautiful.

• Hawks and eagles soaring through the sky.

• The majesty of mountains at dawn.

• The serenity of an inland lake at dusk.

• The sound of a waves rushing back and forth on the beach.

• A hot bubbly relaxing bath and soft cozy robe to climb into.

• The peaceful energy of the first light.

• The wind rustling through autumn leaves.

• The crackling sound and intoxicating smell of a roaring fire.

• Guided meditation and deep relaxation.

• Laughter and a quick wit is a beautiful thing.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by so much natural and soulful beauty.

What is beautiful to you?

by John Matthews

It is within the darkness and the silence
That the magic of Christmas starts;
Somewhere between the glimmer of lights
And the first breathless moment
When children come
Stumbling like new-born angels
Into morning light.
Within the darkness and the silence
We sit, watching wonder
Evolve into form; where we
Enter the ringing silence
In which the first bells of Christmas
Sound the music of the soul;
Where the morning joy begins
With a single carol
To a half-forgotten tune.
It is here, between the darkness
And the light,
That we wait, uncertain,
Seeking the moment
That challenges us to believe
In a freshly minted miracle
Born every Christmas Day.