Thursday, July 10, 2008

Take time to see the beauty!

This came from a good friend in an email. It is a little long, but worth the read. It really made me stop and think about taking the time to see the beauty around us!

HOW LIFE IS MEASURED~Author unknown
I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband unexpectedly and suddenly died of a heart attack.

About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down there. With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, "Before class is over, I would like to share with all of you a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important."

"Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is a way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day.
Her eyes beginning to water, she went on, "So I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be something you see, it could be a scent -- perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches the autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground.

Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at any time...it can all be taken away." The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently.

That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than had that whole semester. Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook.

Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today. When you go home, go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double-dip ice cream cone.
  • "For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do."

  • “Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened."

  • "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
    -- Author Unknown

This story made me think of blogging and how I am always looking for a picture to take and something to write about. There is so much beauty all around us, and often we are too busy to take note of it! To me that is one advantage of keeping a blog...even if it is read by very few....it has helped me look at everyday things in a different way. I'm seeing so much beauty all around me! My camera is just a point and shoot...but I still can capture lots of beauty all around. Here are a couple of shots that I took recently:

The sun behind the clouds on the way home from a trip.

Natchez White Crepe Myrtle at the end of the front porch


And finally, a turtle lost in the middle of my front yard!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day....and take time to enjoy the beauty all around you!

14 comments:

Southern Lady said...

Diane, what an inspiring and uplifting way to start my day. I, too, have become more aware of the beauty around me since I started blogging and taking more pictures.

Your picture of the sun behind the clouds looks like a silver lining.

Thank you for sharing "How Life is Measured" with us. That was a very special teacher and it's no telling how many lives she touched with her wisdom.

Sincerely,
Janie

Dawn said...

What a wonderful story. Those kinds of emails always get to me. The quotes at the end were just perfect. There is so much beauty out there.

Your photos are great. The turtle picture reminds me that several years ago a turtle appeared in my yard and a couple of years later it was back. I knew it was the same turtle because someone had painted it's back! I wonder where that turtle is now.

take care,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Loved those words and pictures... Yes I do wear boots when I go back there but this time I was on the four wheeler and was feelin' brave... Take care, Susie H~

Anonymous said...

Diane, that is the most beautiful post today. Oh, if we would all take those words and use them in our daily lives, we would be so enriched.

Please forgive me for not acknowledging your award as yet. I have had the most terrible flue and today I am still not well. I haven't been on the computer since Tues. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and will try to respond tomorrow or Sat.

Jeanne

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This was beautiful and so touching to read, Diane! I feel the same way as you do -- the world has become a little more interesting since I've begun blogging, and I take notice the everyday sights a little more carefully. I would never have taken a photo of a weed, like I did the thistle the other day, or a restaurant meal, or a memento from a trip, if I didn't have a blog to share it in!

I have a "point and shoot" camera too! Your photos are beautiful!
Hugs, Pat

Anonymous said...

Diane, this is so meaningful. And, a very important reminder to each of us to recognize all the blessings that surround us.

Thank you for being a bright spot in my day.

Debra from Bungalow said...

Very inspiring post! Your pictures are beautiful. The beauty in everyday things is what we all really need to notice.

Thanks for a great post, Hugs, DebraK

Jean said...

Great post! Love the sky picture. Beautiful!

Gone said...

What a beautiful story, Diane...

And thanks for visiting our blog today...and the congrats on our award.

I love your porch with the White Crepe Myrtle.

~Blessings,
Jan

Anonymous said...

Diane,
Love your post today. Those are beautiful story and photos. Since I recieve my news since 1991 that I will lose my sight....Now I have always notice little things around me. I am tunnel vision and I am blessed I still have a little sight. They told me I would be total blind by 10 to 15 years. And it has been 17 years ago. I thanked my Lord every day. I enjoyed posting my blog and visiting everyone blogs. It has lift me up with everyone thoughts,piturs, and sharing their story. You take beautiful pictures. Thank you for visitng my blog today. I appreciated your encouragement. I am so glad to have a Mississippi Gal as a blog friend. You have a wonderful day. Maybe Rose and I will beet you one day in person. :)

Anonymous said...

Diane,
The correction on my comment. Maybe Rose and I can MEET you one day in person.

ArtPropelled said...

I love this story. Thanks for sharing it.

Rhondi said...

Thanks for the beautiful thoughts Diane.

Sugarplum Cottage said...

Hey Ms Diane, So glad youstopped and visited with me this week. It has been crazy at my house and I'm so far behind in commenting. Wonderful message, we are so much alike, I've always been thankful for the little things in life. They make our life worth living.

Thanks so much for the award, I so appreciate you thinking about me, but I have already recieved this award from another blogger 2 months ago. Wanted to let you know the flower sign you purchased at the Antique Galeria was mine. Thank you, You be sure to visit that place often. Hope your having a wonderful weekend. Rose