beauty – Page 5 – Site Title

After the Rain

“Sometimes the only way you can get past the rain is to remind yourself that nothing lasts forever and that better and brighter days are coming your way.” Roger Lee

The rain had come and gone, all three days of non-stop heavy showers and intermittent drizzly weather. The ground is soaked and fall had done its job of shaking the leaves from the trees and they lay forming a carpet of rain soaked leaves on the wet ground. Looking up at the trees there are still leaves on the branches, some green and some golden as a reminder that this is not the end of it, there will be more rain to come and there was more work to be done.

“Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass….It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Vivian Greene

I wish I could dance in the rain again. As a young girl, my greatest joy was to join the ducks in their dirty brown puddles of water and to let my heart sing with joy as the rain beat down on us. The ducks quacked with delight or was it with anger, whatever the case maybe, the human was one with nature. Now that l’m all grown up and should know better, I spent the last three days cuddling my coffee mug in my hand and my head filled with stories to tell. Today the rain had moved on and the sun finally made a showing although weak, it was still beautiful as it caressed my head with warmth. The fields were a mess drenched in water and mud. The narrow rocky path was the only way to go. The breath I took in was clean and smelled of something unfamiliar or it could be that the rain had washed away the staleness and in its place had left a beautiful freshness and all was made new again.

A raucous crow made a loud sound as it made its way to the fields and landed on the ground looking for whatever crows look for. Looking down at the tiny gravel-covered road, I noticed that the sun was doing a number on the road. Long thin strands were glistening like they were holding diamonds in their midst. I stooped to inspect it because it was a beautiful sight as it sparkled and beckoned. I realized that those tiny long strands making circles all over the road were snail slime or rather a kind of mucus produced by snails. Those snail trails help to protect the softer tissues of the snail’s foot as it crawled along but add sunshine to it and the yuckiness turns to magic and I had diamonds sparkling everywhere. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and whoever coined that phrase knew exactly what they were talking about.

“Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.” Langston Hughes

The man had a way with words and today it sang to me as I made my way back home for another well-deserved cup of coffee and more stories to tell.

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY

Contrasts

“To me, a rich and satisfying life means one full of contrast. Give me sleep ins. And soft rains. Coffee shops and conversation. But also adrenaline and adventure. And drunken bellows to the stars. I am determined to embrace this extravagant life for all that it has to offer.” Beau Taplin

It wasn’t a great day for a walk, grey clouds were gathering and as promised rain was on the way. What a difference a day makes, weather-wise. Yesterday it was picture perfect, warm and absolutely mesmerizing but today it had turned tables and was ready to show another side, a grey and wet one. There was no beauty to speak off as I trudged nonchalantly through the muddy and leaf-strewn path heading for the forest line. Oh, but I was wrong for I had only to open my mind and my senses to see the contrasts between a beautiful day and a bad one. To my surprise, each had its own brand of beauty if only I wasn’t so quick to pass judgement.

The not so subtle rustling of the leaves caught in the interplay of wind and absolute silence was balm for my anxious soul. I needed peace but somehow it was missing today. Glancing into the forest, I noticed that it was quiet, too quiet. The trees were tight-knit and hidden in shadows of its own making echoing the onslaught of rain that was to come. I usually don’t like walking close to the forest because a feeling of unease usually envelops me and my senses are usually on high alert as it was today. There was no room to relax. I walked on in silence and in the distance, the hoot of an owl could be heard. I welcomed the distraction and made my way to the stream. It’s gorgeous in spring, its banks overflowing with golden daffodils but today it droned on in silence, devoid of color as it made its way to the pond where the storks gather. Today, there was not one stork to be seen. They too had gone hiding from the oncoming force of nature. Standing at the tiny wooden bridge, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It was peaceful but the unease was still there. Enclosed spaces are not my cup of tea and neither are deep dark forests. I moved on, got back on the path and made it to the fields.

My mind began to relax as I took in the wild open spaces before me. I was free again and standing at the bottom of the hill, I took in the panoramic view. It was grandiose even through there was no sun to speak of, only a light purple haze enveloping the distant mountains. It was beautiful just the same. Just a different kind of beautiful.

Contrasts are necessary to show the light and dark aspects of life and today nature decided to show my jaded mind, come rain or sunshine, there is always something beautiful about each aspect if only I would open my mind to it and embrace it with open arms to reap the full benefits. The rest of the walk was uneventful, an ordinary walk but my mind knew that if I kept my eyes peeled, I would capture the extraordinary. It was just a matter of time and if nature was willing to throw it my way. As the first droplets of rain hit the muddy path, I pulled my jacket tighter around me and ran back home leaving nature to do what it does best.

The ebb and flow of life was at work and who was I a mere mortal to question the order of the day or how it was brought about to life. Just accept and enjoy was the message and I bowed my head to its all-knowing wisdom. I was at peace.

HAVE AN AMAZING DAY

Nature’s Way

“Adapt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

It was wildly windy yesterday but since we had a respite from two days of non-stop rain, I decided I would venture out and see what nature had in store for me.

Approaching my usual haunt, I noticed that I was all alone with wide open spaces before me. The sky was dotted with angry grey-tinged clouds and they seemed to be gathering force, perhaps for another deluge or two. It was in the weather forecast afterall.

I couldn’t take my usual route because it was covered in mud so I kept on the narrow roadway heading to the top of the hill. I noticed that even the birds had taken cover from whatever Mother Nature had in store for us. Not a soul and no animal or bird was out there but I liked it that way. However, I would have liked a rabbit or two for company but not today. The wind was strong as it whooshed past my head and it wasn’t whispering softly as it usually does.

Suddenly I noticed something move in the distance. I stopped and watched as it glided gracefully with the wind. As it got closer, I noticed that it was playing along with the wind, doing a dance of its own. I thought it was a hawk at first but it was much bigger than any hawk I had ever seen and its underbelly was tinged in orange. Was it an owl? Do they fly like that? I had always thought they were nocturnal creatures but I’ve been surprised before. I stood and watched as it got closer with every gust of wind. Right before it got above me, I decided to move and fast! Not sure why but I just did and the unidentified creature took off in the opposite direction.

The wind had picked up speed as I got to the top of the hill and it was playing havoc with my hair whipping it around my face. I looked around and noticed that today my beloved fields were cloaked differently. The trees were showing bald spots where once it had been a lush green and the farmers had harvested all their crops and in its place planted something that was sprouting green. Not sure what but it didn’t matter. They knew what they were doing. Then it dawned on me that I loved the fields in whatever color it chooses to wear. I’ve seen it dressed in white, seen it bright with flowers, golden when it is turning colder and today dressed in grey with its skirt billowing from the wind and that too seemed to suit it just as well.

Stopping at the top of the hill to take in the scene before me, I noticed the wind had picked up speed so I turned around to make my way home and just then I felt the wind pushing me forward and not too kindly either. It seemed to be saying, “C’mon get moving! I’ve got work to do.”

I walked home with a smile on my face, the wind on my back and a new found respect for nature. It has it all planned and execution of that plan is never a problem. Winter will get here when it is good and ready but first fall needs to make one last stand. Golden suits me just fine as well.

A Desert By Another Name

It is Sunday, time to relax, review the past week, take the good and leave the past behind after learning from the lessons it taught of course. Mine for the week was, LET IT BE.

As I looked at my messages, a picture popped onto the screen. It caught my attention because it was absolutely gorgeous. I stared at it for a few minutes and decided to go on my fact finding mission.

The picture was of the Atacama Desert sent to me by a Chilean friend. Little did he know that I would be awe-struck by it. I found out that it is located in the north of Chile. It is nothing much to look at during the arid period because it is considered hostile territory and touted as one of the driest non-polar desert on Earth. Detecting life there would be like detecting life on Mars because only the hardiest microbes survive there. Oh but what a transformation when the rains come. The Atacama desert flowering takes place from September to November which is the Southern Hemisphere’s spring. It is considered a miracle and it occurs when heavy rainfall saturates the ground causing the seeds and bulbs deep within the surface to germinate and flower. During this time, over 200 flower species can be seen waving their beautiful heads and covering the once arid landscape with color and stunning beauty. Unbelievable? It is.

What if life was like this phenomenon? Just like this desert, there are times when we go through dry patches and at times arid ones. It is a time when nothing seems to flourish no matter how hard you try. Then there are times when the rains come and with the watering we see life as it was meant to be. Full of beauty, joy and at times breath-taking. It does not last for long but then again nothing ever stands still in life right? Like the seasons, there is a time for everything so it is with the desert and with us. Keep moving is the message, work on the hard stuff and who knows just when you thought it was impossible, the rains will come and reward you with a desert blooming of your own! Never say never and anything is possible.

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” Robert Frost

Have an amazing day.