Monday's Word--

Monday's Word--

Finding beauty in the world has been an easy assignment.  It is everywhere.  Absolutely everywhere.  One doesn't even have to look for it.  It appears unbidden.  Here are a few of my "beautiful" finds since we last visited.

*Beautiful Christmas music sung by a choir
*A box of homemade cookies
*Shopping and finding the right gift for a special person
*Crisp winter air
*Clear roads
*Christmas lights on homes
*Clerks wishing shoppers a Merry Christmas
*Sitting with my husband at a bookstore working on plans for our annual treasure hunt for the grandchildren
*Sharing a few moments with happy people
*A winter's nap
*Christmas cards from those we love
*Helping another person
*Sitting quietly enjoying a fire in the fireplace and the lights on the tree
*Enjoying special ornaments made my our son when he was a child
*A grandson's birthday today
*Memories
*Items marked off the list
*A joyous spirit
*Trees wearing a blanket of snow
*Bright red Cardinals against white snow
*Love
*Sharing an unexpected moment with a fried

Beauty is easy to find.  It loves to be known.  The trick is being able to see it.  During this busy seasons it is so easy to see only the chores to be done, the food that has to be prepared, the gifts that must be wrapped, the "perfect" day.  Well, let's all take a moment to stop.  Let's think about why we have this season.  Let's remember that nothing in life is perfect.  The moments we remember are not those that are perfect, but those that show our humanity.

Looking for beauty is as easy as looking in the mirror.  What do we see when we take that look in the mirror?  While I cannot speak for you, I can share what I see.  Besides seeing a woman who has lived many years and had many experiences,  I see a person loved by her creator--wrinkles and all. Moving it away from only me, I think it  means we are all created to love and care for one another.  We are meant to be caretakers of our earth and leave it better than when we arrived.  We are to show compassion to all.  And we are to forgive even when we don't want to do that.  It really is up to us, isn't it?  No other creatures on this earth have the ability to make this a peaceful place.  Only humans have this ability.

So, looking for beauty was easy.  It shouted to be seen.

Monday is almost here.  We need a new word.  How about anticipation?  Yes, I like that word.  Together, let's think about it and see where it takes us.