Tag: beauty

#2633 In the eye of the storm

We’re in the middle of a storm (and no, it’s not the literal one that surprised us all in Melbourne yesterday).

The feels are the same though: hanging, ominous, end-of-the-world dark clouds; helplessness and frustration over the current conditions; and a bleak outlook for the future.

The storm I speak of is the newborn storm, particularly the 6 week stage.

Now I don’t wanna speak only badly about this phase. There is a certain beauty, innocence and wonder about these first weeks of your child’s life as you get a front-row seat to watching them work it all out, growing from newborn to infant before your very eyes, while reminding you of the miracle of life and how precious it really is.

But anyone who has been through this phase would also know just how testing, tiring and traumatising the newborn stage can be. The stage WE find ourselves in.

But it is only the case, ‘right now.’ I heard those words today from a social media influencer, saying if you add the words ‘right now’ to a stressful situation you are going through, it reframes the situation and helps you to see that this is temporary and will pass.

I am getting no sleep right now.
My child is extra fussy right now.
I find myself struggling big time right now.

The rephrasing provides hope, consolation and brighter days to look forward to. And like the snap storm we had roll over our skies this morning, we’ll find that the other side of it will be waiting for us as today was too – with bright blue skies, a sunny outlook, and the feeling like ‘did it ever even happen?’… 🙏

Photo by Roberto Nickson on Pexels.com

#2354 Winter sun

Just as Winter is a time to wind-down and chill more, so too will I take that message on board and apply it to my gratitude writing.

Going back to basics, for a little while anyway.

Simple. Easy. Chilled.

Today was a lovely Winter’s day. Finally. We started the season in a flurry of intense cold weather, and it’s slowly, very slowly, eased to a point where sure, it’s still cold…

But, the sun.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Ahh, the sun. Today the sun shone, and it reminded me that seemingly dark days have beauty in them too. 🙏

#2262 Full Moon Eve

It’s not the official March Full Moon, otherwise known as the ‘Worm Moon’ this month, but it didn’t stop me and baby girl pointing our devices up at the sky tonight.

The official time is tomorrow evening here in AEDT time, and you know, I just figured…

Why do I need to appreciate her beauty tomorrow? Who knows where we will be?

Right here, right now. I bow to her. 🙏🌕

#1921 Take me to the river

We walked alongside the Ovens River today.

Where we are staying gives us views of this well-known Bright attraction, and we’re only a very short walk from accessing this rugged and natural terrain that leads us alongside the river, high above the water.

But then, a track… going DOWN.

Hubbie worked out that there were makeshift steps, and they were actually pretty reliable. So down we all went.

And the water was perfect. Cool, rushing by, gliding easily over stones and pebbles that were embedded into the ground underneath.

It was a man-made attempt at a makeshift path, leading to a piece of pure and unbridled slice of nature.

So, so beautiful. 😍😍

#1899 Hope in another backyard

I’ve had a pretty crazy day.

Two appointments on the other side of town, visiting my parents and sister and fam in between that, and then a big writers meet-up at the end of the night back home.

It’s been a lot.

It’s been a day of a lot of things. Hope. New directions. New people. New plans.

I’m a glass half-full gal, and things are starting to feel right. That glass is filling up again.

With HOPE. 🤞

I’m going on, rambling a bit, I know. I just don’t really know where to rest my creative mind, to release these thoughts from, what to centre on when much has given me happiness today.

But I will talk about nature, because it inspires me.

Specifically, my parents and my sister’s backyard.

I used to love spending time in the backyard of my childhood home. All those memories, all those fun times, so much joy within those trees and the shady spots. I was amazed and surprised then, when I found myself loving my parents’ NEW backyard, finding beauty in little pockets of grass, verdant greenery full and lush underneath your feet, life brimming and blooming from the smallest spring of herb, to a wide-reaching leaf of a fern.

That beauty extends equally to my sister’s backyard.

I was admiring this gorgeous tree, sprouting golden Autumn leaves. We were in her backyard sitting and talking, and so many times I was accidentally witness to a yellow leaf floating easily to the ground.

Before my very eyes.

It was a magical sight.

And I realised later when I headed off, how I find beauty in both of their backyards, and how that must mean something more… for those we love, we find the beauty inherent everywhere, all around them, because they are love.

We are doing renovations at the moment… small ones, yet they will hopefully be long, beautiful and lasting.

(On us, or our backyard do you think????)

One day I hope, someone will look at our yard and see the beauty lying in wait, wanting to be found.

I hope we find it there too. 💖💖🌳🌳

#1726 Day 228 of getting there: behind the clouds

Have you ever wondered what’s behind the clouds?

Or rather, what’s above it?

They can be heavy. Dark. Ominous even.

But there’s a magical, surreal, mysterious quality to them.

You can see clouds. They sit above us almost every day, moving about while we also go about with our lives.

Have you ever flied through a cloud while on a plane? It’s the most beautiful thing. These little pillows of fluff just jazz on by, pushed aside by the plane’s force, yet still remaining an element of the ethereal.

We aren’t so fortunate, especially in recent times, to be able to experience these fleeting and magical moments of cushions flying past us, as we sit in a man-made machine, high above the rest of the world.

So we look above.

Some of us, don’t even look.

I for one, don’t find them oppressive. Sure, they block the light at times…

But I feel like the beauty of clouds are made that much more striking, by the stunning colours and transparent light that shines from inside, looking out.

Without the darkness, there can be no beauty.

#1677 Day 179 of getting there: the aura in the sunset

I know I’ve taught my mini-me well, when she comes running in the house after jumping on the trampoline, yelling “Mama, you have to take a photo of the sunset.”

I slowly went to look out the window… then I too yelled “Quick baby girl, upstairs!”

She was 100% right. Look at those beautiful colours. It’s like the sky has an aura.

Of course if has an aura. One of infinite beauty and possibility. 💖🌅

#1655 Day 157 of getting there: The right quote to get there

I came across a really touching quote today, one that I feel is relevant to me, but to all of us.

Because it’s about struggle. Struggling with something, anything, in your life. And because of what is happening in the world, we can all relate to things not going the way we planned.

This quote is for everyone.

Why do I love quotes so much? Hmm, maybe something about words… words, and how the correct and select number of them can piece together something truly beautiful, to lift you, inspire you and help you.

“There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.” – Unknown.

I find it timely that I often come upon saying that touch my soul, right when I need them.

How’s about that?

And, just because, here’s a selection of photos from today that brought me joy…

And reminded me that it takes time, to grow such great beauty. Some forms over a day… some over a season. Some even longer.

But, it grows.