Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘Beauty’

Nature Speaks to Me

Autumn’s Here

fall colors-bathroom

Sitting on toilet
Looking at the bathroom sight
I see Autumn’s here

Fall Too Soon

It’s only mid-September. Summer didn’t come ’til  late June. I’m not ready for fall already! But, look at those orange leaves. They are speaking to me. There’s no denying it. Autumn is here!

Get Ready

Get ready for four-wheeling trips on our favorite mountain trails. I’ll let you go vicariously with me as we revisit this season of change in the Rocky Mountains – the Tobacco Root Range to the west of us and the Gravelly Range south and southwest of us.

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What speaks to you during this season of change? Add your own thoughts to the following prompts:

  • the beauty of the _
  • the softness of the _
  • the fragrance of the _
  • the rhythm of the _
  • the faintness of the _
  • the freshness of the _
  • the strength of the _
  • the taste of _
  • the trail of the _

And now, read the poem below
and see how poets George and Hirnschall
completed the prompts.

In their book, Spiritual Literacy, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat speak of this relationship between us and nature. They quote a poem that speaks to my heart as the seasons change and the beauty of the earth shines around us.

Chief Dan George and Helmet Hirnschall, wrote this poem:

The beauty of the trees,
the softness of the air,
the fragrance of grass,
speaks to me.
.
The summit of the mountain,
the thunder of the sky,
the rhythm of the sea,
speaks to me.
.
The faintness of the stars,
the freshness of the morning,
the dewdrop of the flower,
speaks to me.
.
The strength of fire,
the taste of salmon,
the trail of the sun,
and the life that never goes away,
they speak to me.
.
And my heart soars.

Enjoy these beautiful days.
Share with me those things of nature that speak to you
and make your heart soar.
pexels-photo-887349-2
See ya later!

Category:

Gratitude, Haiku, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, nature, Poetry

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Time in a Ball

This was Russ Towne’s post this morning on FaceBook. I love the poem and the fulfilled promise.

I love the message at its conclusion, advocating what JanBeek is all about: “🎶❤️ All we need is love, ❤️ 🎶” and “Make the world better by the beauty [you] share.”

Russ Towne wrote, “The local chapter of the California Writers Club selected my poem below for inclusion in their publication ‘WritersTalk.’ This poem has had two titles over the years: ‘Broken Promise’ and ‘Their Time in the Ball.’ Which title do you think fits this [poem] better?”

Broken Promise

An unopened bud
A leaf left unfurled
A loss of great beauty
To a beckoning world


Withered by fear
From memories and pain
Won’t risk rejection
Shame and disdain


Unrealized potential
Hidden deep in a ball
They suffer in silence
A broken promise to all


Kindness can open
Closed buds over time
Heal shattered hearts
And ease fearful minds


A bud can be opened
By the love of a friend
Who believes in their dreams
So their spirit can mend


Sometimes it takes
The smallest of sparks
A word to encourage
Those alone in the dark


Nurturing love
Can go a long way
To help beautiful petals
Feel the light of each day


Bask in the glory
Of knowing they dared
Make the world better
By the beauty they shared


Often late bloomers
Are most lovely of all
As their beauty is deeper
From their time in the ball


–Russ Towne

Thanks, Russ, for your shared poetic talent!

Which title do you think fits it best?

Category:

flowers, life, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry, Promises

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Life’s a Mosaic

Life’s a Mosaic 

“We know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

My life is a mosaic,
Crafted by God’s hand.
Through sunshine or rain,
He shapes me to His plan.

God’s promises never fail.
He promises I’ll feel His touch.
He is in me, with me, for me.
God loves me so very much

The colors in my mosaic,
Each are placed by God’s hand.
His design becomes more beautiful
As I live my life by His command.

Photo by Wendy van Zyl on Pexels.com

Hooray! I was the Biggest loser this week at TOPS!

May your life feel His hand
Of beauty on your heart
As you live His plan, too.
Today’s a good day to start

See ya later.

Category:

art, Faith, health, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry

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Enchanting Photo

www.facebook.com/sassyseniorlady/photos/a.673352836020852/2609441439078639

I just HAD to share this with you! I was mesmerized by it!

Have a good Tuesday night.

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Animals, Love, Sharing

Tagged with:

Adding Meaning to Life … B = Beauty

B = Beauty

How does

paying attention to

and creating beauty

add meaning to your life?

pexels-photo-730055.jpeg

Photo by Nripen kumar Roy on Pexels.com

 What IS Beauty?

One dictionary says,
1) the quality present in a thing or person
that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind,
whether arising from the sensory
(as shape, color, sound),
a meaningful design or pattern,
or something else (as a personality
in which high spiritual qualities are manifest),
or 2) a beautiful person or thing
(as work or art or building),
or 3) something excellent of its kind
(My old car was a beauty)

selective focus photography of black car

Photo by Maria Geller on Pexels.com

In their book, Spiritual Literacy,
with a sub-title of “Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life,”
authors Mary Ann and Frederic Brussat wrote:
“Walk the path of beauty.
Relish and encourage its inward and outward expressions.
Acknowledge the radiance of creation.”

Find Beauty in Others

Observing and appreciating beauty
is a spiritual practice for me.
It enhances my ability to see the world
through Jesus glasses!
There is beauty in each of us.
Look for the beauty in others
and watch your happiness factor increase.

 

Find Beauty Within

Last weekend my grandson, Chris, and I went to see “Breakthrough.” It’s a new movie starring Chrissy Metz, a true story of a high school-aged boy who fell through the ice in a lake and was underwater for ten minutes before being pulled out. Presumed dead after a long and arduous attempt to resuscitate him, the story focuses on the power of prayer and the results of a loving, passionate mom who would not give up. The beauty of Chrissy Metz as she superbly played the role of the mom was undeniable.
(You may recognize her… she starred in the TV series, “This is Us” and told her personal story in the April edition of Guideposts Magazine.)

When we see compassion and love in the eyes of another, in the behavior of another, we see the inner beauty that shines through. We are encouraged to emulate that behavior.

Chrissy’s ability to passionately demonstrate the power of
unconditional love and an unwavering faith
showed us what beauty there is
in the treasure of life.

Chrissy Metz.JPG

Find Beauty in Nature

While looking for greater meaning in life, I find inspiration in the beauty of nature. A week ago as we were experiencing snow in April, and last Sunday when our Sunrise service was drenched in rain and no sun was visible, I wondered if spring would ever come to my part of the world. Yesterday we had a gorgeous sunny day. Hooray! This morning, look what I found outside my kitchen window:

Yes, this is a sign of spring… it’s here! Never give up hope!

Enjoy the beauty of nature

Let it remind you of God’s unfailing love for our earth and for us!

alberta amazing attraction banff

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

animals avian birds branch

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

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animal bee bloom blooming

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

What beauty catches your eye – and adds meaning to your life?

human eye

Photo by wendel moretti on Pexels.com

Category:

Faith, flowers, God, life, Love, nature, prayer

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Beautiful People

Beautiful People

 

Beautiful people
From a Grateful Heart

Today I am reflecting on the beautiful people in my life. I am thanking God for those loving, sincere, caring, sharing people He has put into my path. I could fill this page with their names and pictures! But, I won’t.

I will put their faces up to God and ask Him to BEE with each one of them. Give them health and strength and guard their paths. He knows each of their needs better than I do!

Your Beautiful Friends

Who are those beautiful people God has put into your life? Take a minute to bring each of their faces up to the Lord, and thank Him. What a gift they are!

Your Presence in my On-line Life

I do not take for granted YOU… You beautiful people who take the time to read and to respond to my daily on-line life. I’m on the 182nd consecutive day of making this place a part of my daily routine. I like starting my morning with an inspirational thought that I can share with you.

Although I am not “all about numbers” – and the stats are not what guide me, I am grateful for each of the 450+ people who pressed “Follow” on JanBeek – and especially for those of you who take time to leave a comment. It helps me know I am not just blowin’ in the wind!

block blow blur child

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Visiting and Being Inspired by Others

I enjoy seeing what you have created, too. Some of us do not have the kind of blog that will attract thousands (what would we do to monitor that anyway?), but we know the folks who do visit us regularly are people who care. You are like-minded people who also have “Inspire Others to Live a Better, more Loving Life” as one of your goals.

You do inspire me to keep sharing sincere love, to keep on caring, and to keep on encouraging. You are a blessing!

Thank you!

Category:

blessings, friendship, Gratitude, Living in Harmony, Love, Serving One Another, Sharing, writing

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What Defines You?

.

https://torobravophotographyblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/cropped-mexican-women-1.jpg

What defines this woman in your mind?

 

Thank you,  jair_100 at

toro bravo photography

who specializes in Street Photography,

for this beautiful photo

of a

Mexican woman.

 

I was mesmerized by her face. I can see that you were, too.
You captured her tired and weathered soul. You captured her work ethic.
She is a woman who worked hard all her life, and continues to do so.
Externally, her lines define her character. Her eyes define her outward condition.
Some say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but I cannot judge.
We really can’t tell what is going on inside her.
She is beautiful.

 

But we all have heard “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

 

What defines us?

 

I pondered that question as I read your blog, jair, re:

The 3-Level Theory of Performance applied for Street Photography

I read it and decided The 3-Level Theory of Performance is a theory that can be applied to life in general, not just to Street Photography.

In your blog dated 16 enero, 2019  

you quoted Nadia Comaneci when she said,

“I noticed from a young age there are only three kinds of people in the world. Three kinds of people in the gym. Three kinds of people walking the streets. Three kinds of people working in every company:

  • The first group of people, the coach tells them to do 10 exercises, and they do only 7. They make an excuse, or they say, “7 is good enough, why do 10?” These people never win and are the perennial losers in whatever field of endeavor they are in. They cut corners and do sloppy work.
  • The second group of people, the coach tells them to do 10 exercises, and they do 10. These people will win, sometimes. They at least do what is asked.
  • And then there is the rare, third group, and I (Nadia) am in that third group. The coach tells them to do 10 exercises, and I always did 15. Always over-deliver. And this is how I won 5 Olympic Gold Medals.”

 

That Beautiful Mexican Woman

Look again at the picture toro bravo photography took of that elderly, lined, tired-looking, Mexican matriarch. She obviously is in the third group! When 10 was enough, she did 20! She never slacked. She has not quit yet! Her lines define her… exposed to the sun, stead-fast and reliable, she makes sure her family is fed. She receives few accolades, but she does not rely on external praise to do what must be done. She knows. She over-delivers. She deserves 10 gold medals!

What defines you?

If  toro bravo photography took a picture of you and posted it, what would people say or surmise about you? Are you in the rare third group?

Is our outward appearance a true test of our definition?
Is our behavior a better test of our definition?
What is it that really matters?
Can anyone see through our eyes into our soul?

Think about it.

What do you say?
What defines you?

 

Category:

Aging Gracefully, contentment, happiness, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Love, respect, self-acceptance, work

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Do You Photograph Food?

food photos.jpg

Hah! I related to this comic on so many levels!

Not only do I love food – and love cooking to create beautiful, tasty dishes, but I also love to take pictures of pretty food before I taste it when dining out.

My daughter married a chef. If you’ve read very many of my posts, you have met DeAna and her husband, Andre’. Thy live in Switzerland. They love to travel and to find restaurants where tasty, beautiful food is served.

De& Andre' @50th

Here are a few dishes they photographed during a recent meal at a fine dining restaurant in Paris:


I love the presentation of the beef with string beans. I could do that!

Oh, and wouldn’t I love a plate of that fresh lobster? Hard to find here in south-western Montana … and if you do find it, it’s probably been frozen and it’s price is outrageous! But, I can dream, can’t I?

The single scallop is something I could do. The sauce looks yummy. What is that on top? Looks like a carrot top to me!

And the stacked cookies with ice cream between and a strawberry glaze base with a berry on top… oh my, to die for!

The meat blob on the lower right in this collage doesn’t appeal to me. Can’t tell if it’s chicken or pheasant or rabbit or what. The plate even looks like it’s chipped (Oh no, that’s artistic expression)! Yes, I could present a main dish with more character than that, couldn’t you?

The upper left is a cre’me brule’e (where do I find accents and other stuff like that on my WordPress app?). Anyway, I love that dessert – especially if they flame it at my table. This one deserves a bigger look:

creme brulette

No, with the strawberries, blueberries (or are they blackberries?), and tiny lemon halves on top, I don’t think they did the flaming at the table. But, doesn’t this look yummy?


Do you ever photograph your food before eating it
when you are served a pretty plate at a restaurant?
Evidently it is becoming a more and more popular practice.

My goal is to serve a plate pretty and tasty enough to entice my guests to pull out their cell phones and take a picture before their first bite at my house!

Hospitality is one of my spiritual gifts (at least that’s what many of our friends have told me). So, if you were in our area, I’d have you over for dinner… and I’d love to know what your favorite meal would be!

Sharing a meal is one of the important ways
we demonstrate our love for one another,
don’t you agree?

As Theresa Brewer once sang,
“Come on a my house, my hous-a-come-on,
I’m a gonna serve you _______…” 
Fill in the blank.

What would your favorite pretty and tasty dish be?

Category:

Family, food, Love, Serving One Another

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Beautiful Travel

Yes, the roads were clear

While mountains of snowy white

Invited us out.

Category:

Haiku, Love, Montana, nature, Travel

Tagged with:

See Beauty in Imperfection

sea beach storm tree

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

Have you heard of the Japanese word:
Wabi-Sabi?

We don’t have a single English word to translate its meaning.
It takes a whole paragraph!

According to Leonard Koren, who wrote a book
titled Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets, and Philosophers,

“Wabi-Sabi is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
It is a beauty of things modest and humble.
It is a beauty of things unconventional.”

The impermanence of footprints in the sand is an example.

person foot prints on sands photo

Photo by Min An on Pexels.com

 

The modest and humble man here speaks of Wabi-Sabi to me.
Look deep into his eyes. There is beauty in his face.

man person men old

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

I was inspired to write a Haiku X5 on this subject
as I look with fresh vision at the Wabi-Sabi examples around me.

Wabi-Sabi is
The beauty of the withered
Acknowledge decay.

brown wooden shed near green trees

Photo by Spencer Gurley on Pexels.com

Wabi is humble
Sabi is the solitude
Put them together

photo of woman sitting under the tree

Photo by Sơn Bờm on Pexels.com

Wabi-Sabi is
Beauty in humility
Embracing decay.

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Face imperfection
All things are impermanent
Each of us declines

grayscale photo of man

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Know Wabi-Sabi
Appreciate “ugliness” –
See beauty in it!

man in black and white hoodie

Photo by Donald Teel on Pexels.com

Category:

Aging Gracefully, contentment, Gratitude, Haiku, Life and Death, Life's Challenges, Love, self-acceptance

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