Aug 17, 2010

Beauty ....


"Add a little beauty to your life, everyday."

When I first started my jewelry website, that was my tagline. At the time, I was talking specifically about jewelry, using it as an adornment to life.

Earlier this year, when I started my blog, the blue muse, I adopted the same tagline there as well. And the more I thought about it, the more it became the theme of my blog. And the more I practiced finding that beauty for blog posts, it started to become a theme in my life.

Beauty is everywhere. Sometimes we forget to look for it. Sometimes it is right in front of us and we just don't see it. Sometimes it is hidden. And sometimes it slaps us in the face so hard it makes us cry. But it is there, in every day, somewhere.

It can be as simple as a single flower blossom in a vase, or stopping to notice a leaf as it unfurls. It can be a moment when a child does something precious, or a pause in your day to watch one sleep. It can even be the contentment of clearing away a sink full of dishes, the methodical meditation of washing, rinsing, drying, putting away.

Did I just say washing dishes was beautiful?

It can be, if you let it. If you breathe in the moment and count your blessings and feel grateful for the food that was on those plates a few moments before. Maybe finding beauty in the act of washing dishes is pushing it a little. But my point is this: You have to open yourself to the possibilities. You have to look for the hidden beauty that is there, in the mundane moments of life.

You have to remind yourself to stop and smell the roses...or the dish soap. To listen to your children. To pet that purring kitten, or notice the colors of the sunset. To admire the light pouring through the kitchen window, to savor that first cup of tea.

You can find something beautiful in almost any situation, if you look hard enough. If you believe it is there. If you pause long enough to recognize it.

It isn't always easy. Life gets in the way sometimes. But more and more, I find myself seeking out these tiny bits of beauty. Collecting them like treasures. Enjoying their presence in my life.

So I challenge you, as you go about your week, to find the beauty that surrounds YOU. Right there, wherever you are. Find it, admire it, breathe it in. Take a picture and share it with the world.

Show us what beauty looks like...

through your eyes.

.....

by Kelly Letky ~ The Blues Muse

13 comments:

SherrieSt.Hilaire said...

Lovely post, Kim (and Kelly)! Thank you for the beautiful reminder to have new eyes to see the beauty that is everywhere! {hugs}

d smith kaich jones said...

the dishes thing is right. making the bed will also do it for me. beauty lurks in the oddest places -LOL! - we just have to open our eyes.

:) Debi

Suki said...

oh, I struggle with that this week. It is all rainy here and not beautiful at all. I will look for it though and try harder tomorrow

Jamie said...

I am so inspired by this post! I struggled over the weekend to leave my family and go back to work halfway across the country. I needed a reminder that I can and should find beauty in every day and opportunity.

ELK said...

what a delightful blossom ...love the processing on this. This is something i work hard to do each day. kelly how nice to have you here at this creative space!

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

As a die-hard collector of "things"...it is easy for me to see beauty in details...seeking beauty and recognizing it in the actual living of life requires slowing way down...not as easy sometimes!
Washing dishes...not so much but ironing fresh clean vintage linens does it for me! Great post!
:) Laura

dbalyoz said...

thanks kelly, for a lovely pause in the day. you know, its been so grey and dreary here in the UK that i despaired of finding anything beautiful on my walk today. but i took the camera nonetheless. and then i found a blackberry. and my favorite tree silhouetted against the clouds. and a yellow flower. and a green acorn. it was a beautiful walk after all! xxo Denise

Leah C said...

You are so right...beauty is everywhere...if we just remember to open up our eyes {and sometimes our hearts}.

Marcie said...

Yes...we do have to stop and look and take it all in..or it'd pass us right by. Lovely post!

Beth said...

Right on! Beauty is all around us -- seek and you shall find. Nice reminder, thanks!

Prairie Girl Studio said...

dear kelly ...
you are oh so oh so right ...
there is beauty abounding about us ...

just now i mowed a wildflower patch
that was so pretty and colourful and beautiful
at the beginning of summer ...

but it had become overgrown and the blooms
all faded except the odd straggler ...
i clipped those stragglers and put them in a bottle ...
and i mowed and cleaned up the space ...
and the beauty of the underneath smiled at me
as if to say 'thanks' ...

and to you, i say 'thanks' ...
and a *hug*
of course : )
prairiegirl

Megan Belcher said...

Love it! Here's mine ~ http://megula.blogspot.com/2010/08/beauty-inspiration-staycation.html

dawn said...

kelly,

i am reminded of myself reading through some of your posts...i had to make a comment regarding the dishes...i love washing dishes, it is meditative, contimplative, warm, soothing and restful...your words are so poetic...i shall keep peeking in to see what you have to write...

dawn