Even the rockiest, roughest of roads
often have patches of beauty.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
beauty
It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts
I received one of the most precious gifts yesterday from my BFF, Jill…. this darling little clutch purse for the wedding.
What is so special about it is what is on the inside.
From the outside, it is absolutely gorgeous!
But when I opened it up, I burst into tears.
The lining is made from a photo of hubby and me with our soon-to-be-groom son (taken at our oldest son’s wedding from 3 1/2 years ago!)
Isn’t this such a beautiful gift? What a wonderful idea for brides, bridesmaids, mothers of brides and grooms! Such a unique and personal gift. Jill ordered it from AngeeW’s ETSY shop.
And clever, beautiful, kind Jill, wrote this beautiful note.
I don’t know how I hit the lottery on most amazing BFF and friends, but I am so grateful! And what a wonderful reminder to all of us that it IS indeed what’s on the inside that counts.
Especially as we grow older and all the “lovely” saggy, wrinkly, things begin to happen we need not discuss, it is especially important to remember who we are on the inside.
No matter our age, gender, ethnicity, physical appearance – we all have the ability to exude a bright, loving aura. Have you ever noticed how a person who is maybe just average looking but has a bright, positive, happy, loving disposition seems so much more beautiful? And sometimes people who are especially physically attractive, but not kind people can become unattractive?
I love how Jill expresses it…. she sees a person’s “aura!”
Let’s make a focused effort this week (and always) to look for a person’s aura – and remember that it is what’s on the inside that counts.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Spring Surprises Popping Up
Spring Surprises Popping Up.
Is anything more beautiful
that the bright pops of purple and yellow
that come in the Spring to brighten the brown and gray
and highlight the fresh new green?
Especially in unexpected places
on unexpected adventures
with people you love
on Sunday “rides.”
Spring is popping up.
Smell the air.
Listen to the sounds.
Look for the beauty!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
It was all a Blur
It was all a blur…
until I looked closely.
I stopped and closed my eyes,
and I took a deep breath.
I exhaled slowly,
and then I opened my eyes.
And there it was…
I saw the beauty.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Illusion
purple anemone illusion watercolor on 9×12 140lb arches
Illusion.
Sometimes
creating an illusion
of what it should be,
or could be,
or would be….
is more beautiful,
and more interesting,
and more mysterious…
than the reality
of what it really is.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Practicing from and inspired by Jean Haine’s Atmospheric Watercolour Book
She is Beautiful
“She was beautiful,
but not like those girls in the magazines.
She was beautiful for the way she thought.
She was beautiful for the sparkle in her eyes
when she talked about something she loved.
She was beautiful for her ability to make other people smile
even if she was sad.
No, she wasn’t beautiful for something as temporary as her looks.
She was beautiful deep down to her soul.
She is beautiful.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Let’s teach this to our daughters
and granddaughters
and sisters
and friends.
And….
let’s teach this to
ourselves.
#BestGiftEver #LoveYourself
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Super Moon over Mars (PA)
Super Moon over Mars (PA) November 13, 2016
Oh the mysteries of the moon and earth
You never realize how quickly our earth is actually rotating
until you try to pause long enough to capture a photo of the moon.
From afar, I always see a face…
the “man on the moon” I called it as a child.
As I look at this photo I took late Sunday evening,
it almost appears as if the moon is a large mirror
reflecting back the earth it sees.
The beauty of nature
It makes you feel small and insignificant
and large and important
all at once.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Looking Up
Looking up
past the bare
tangled
web
that tries to
block our view…
Looking beyond
what is
closest
and darkest
and right before
our line of sight…
Is beauty
and brightness
and color
and possibilities
and hopefulness
and mystery.
Look up…
Look beyond…
See the beauty.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Seek the magic
Jelly Fish – Georgia Aquarium
It magically floats
creating beauty
and light
in the depths
and darkness.
Glowing
with hope
and inspiring
the possiblility
that magic
can be created
and can happen
anywhere
Seek the magic.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A Beautiful Hello
I smiled at you,
and I said “hello.”
You smiled back,
and we both continued on our way.
When we crossed paths again
in the next aisle of our local supermarket
you stopped me,
and you looked directly into my eyes,
and you told me
I was the most beautiful person you have ever seen.
I looked back at you
more than dumbfounded.
I am clearly not the most beautiful person
even in the supermarket that day
let alone being bestowed such an honor
as the most beautiful ever.
I told you
I am sure you are mistaken.
You said, “Oh no,”
I’ve seen many.
I’ve lived a lot of years,
and I have seen my fair share of people.
These days, I rarely encounter
anyone who even notices me passing by their way
let alone one who looks me in the eyes and smiles
and genuinely greets me.
You are the most beautiful person
I have ever seen.
I will never forget you
though many years have passed.
My skin is becoming more like I remember
thinking yours was.
You made my day.
You made my week.
Heck – let’s face it –
You made my year – maybe two.
I am still far from the most beautiful,
but you made me realize
beauty is so much more
than the physical appearance.
You – sweet, gentle man
may be the most beautiful person I have ever seen.
You impacted me so deeply
and so profoundly.
You taught me a lesson
I have carried with me through my life.
A lesson that has carried me through times
of darkness and doubt.
Beauty can take on many forms
and be seen through different lenses.
Sometimes beauty is a simple, sincere
“hello.”
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 