Life's Beauty Surrounds Us

In our days, we often miss the beauty that surrounds us.  We get too busy.  We fail to stay aware and conscious and so life's beauty passes us by.  If we're not careful, we will wake up and wonder where it all went.  We will wonder where the years have taken us and how they seem to have disappeared.  Let us behold the beauty in life that surrounds us each day, giving us life and joy and an experience that can never be fully repeated.  It is in the simple moments of observing life's beauty that we come to know the richness of living our lives.


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Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Don Shetterly

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Emotional Connection With Onyx Stone

I don't understand what happens when I see it.  Every time I get around Onyx stone, I'm captivated by its beauty.  I'm captivated by how it feels.  I feel a warmth come over me like none other and I feel the energy of this stone.  It is like an overflowing abundance of joy, peace, and love all at one time.

If I hold it in my hand, I can literally feel the energy coming off of it.  Whatever is happening, it is very powerful to me.  It is an immediate feeling and connection.  From the moment I see it, I'm already into emotional overload.  If it is a lamp made of Onyx and illuminated, the effects increase exponentially.

Here are some facts that I found about Onyx by just searching and reading various websites out on the internet.  

These Lands

The past few days I have gotten to see parts of this country that I've never seen before. It has been a beauty that seems so surreal. Even though there is much dry and arid conditions, there is so much life and wonder.

I'm amazed at how things grow in the universe around me.  It fascinates me and captivates me. The bright and beautiful flowers which are sprinkled around to show contrast or the rabbits and deer and lizards that go roaming, are so perfectly placed in their surroundings.

I always thought that the desert was nothing but dry, brown sand.  I never realized just how much "life" there was out there.  I never realized just how much beauty and color existed.  The blue skies seemed more blue than I had ever seen and the wispy clouds just added to the depth and dimension of the entire area.

Grounded And Recharged at Desert Botanical Gardens

Today, I saw beauty.  Today, I spent several hours in the hot sun at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona.   Just as many others said, "this place does not disappoint".  I had just been to the Botanical Gardens in Miami a few months ago and while the vegetation is different in the Desert one, both places offer an unique perspective on the world in which we live.

I love the variation and mixture of plants and animals as well as the variation from one geographic location to another.  When you stop and think about how many species of creatures and plants inhabit this world, it is mind blowing.  I've only seen a small subset of the entire population.

Walking through this area, it felt so good to be out in nature.  The stress load has been high lately and I needed to find grounding in life and just needed to re-energize my batteries.  It is moments like this that help keep me sane in amongst a stressful and hectic pace.

Trip To Blue Ridge Parkway And Grandfather Mountain

Blue Ridge Parkway

Recently we took a trip into the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The leaves had just begun to change and so the beauty was out of this world. It was some cool and crisp days full of sunlight which made it extra special.  There was so much to see and do that we ran out of time.

The mountains are much like the ocean to me in that the hours pass quickly.  I get so mesmerized by the scenery, the sounds and everything I am surrounded by, that I lose all track of time.  I would have loved to stay up there much longer than we did, but we just ran out of time.  If you ever go up there, make sure you check out the swinging bridge on Grandfather Mountain and the Linnville Falls area.  Two places that are sure to take your breath away!

If you click on the individual pictures, they should open up into a much larger view.

Enjoy Life's Beauty

Don Taking In Life's Beauty
In The Mountains.

While traveling on a recent vacation to the mountains, we were stopped at one of the overlooks.  The leaves were beginning to turn and the views were breath taking.  For me, it was almost an overload of sensory input.  There was so much to see and take in while feeling, sensing, and listening to all the sounds around us.

Yet, while we were standing there taking in the view, one couple looked at us and exclaimed "there's nothing to see here".  In disbelief, I stayed silent.  My mind immediately began to wonder exactly why it was that they made this statement.  Could they not see what I saw and heard and felt?  Were they not able to view all that surrounded that place we were standing?

Obviously, I don't know their story or how long they had been in the mountains by that point.  For me though, I never get tired of seeing the mountains and the views around them.  It is always breath taking moments of peacefulness and joy for me.

Beauty That Surrounds Me

The green against the clear blue sky. What a contrast of colors. Different shades of green appear from dark to light and reflective to dull. The sun hits them as if to highlight a new hue every few moments.

Birds run and play, flying from one branch to another. Landing on a high wire they are suspended far above the ground. The occasional butterfly flutters past as the dragonfly hovers above the fence. Ever so vigilantly, the bird flies to the ground searching, hopping and looking around.

The air is still with the occasional slight movement of a tree leaf high above the tree. White flowers stretch out as buds from their branches. Purple flowers reach for the ground from what once was a bush taken under by frost.

Sounds from near and far drift by as a rustle of wind caresses my face. A bird chirps, then a few birds answer in return. A truck is near by while people chat as if is no tomorrow exists. A dog barks his voice into the background.

The air is warm and somewhat heavy. The shade from the sun is a momentary escape. The morning dew glistens on the grass as if a wake up call of nourishment has arrived.

The water is clear and calm. Reflections fill the edges as if someone painted what is there. It looks deep but yet it is shallow. The random vibration of ripples appear as if it is a magic trick to be played. The water is calm, but yet it acts as if it is full of movement and life.

Just sitting here and taking this all in is a like a breath of fresh air. It feels like a daily reset button in life. My body senses the lightness, connectedness of the flowing moments. I gaze at the morning sunlight caressing the landscape. My mind feels full in appreciation and awe.

May I carry this moment through my day. May I continue to feel safe and secure. My thankful heart rejoices in all the beauty that surrounds me. It is abundant.


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