Bumping into Beauty
White Mountains, photo by Susan Izard
Dear Soul Friends,
Some years ago, my family and I went to the White Mountains in New Hampshire for my nephew’s wedding. We woke up to a surprise snowstorm. Hoping it would pass, we decided to take a hike and set out in wet, heavy snow. By the time we entered the forest at the base of Mt. Washington, my boots were soaked through and my normally waterproof jacket was damp and uncomfortable. I began slipping and sliding my way up the path. I was cold and wet. My glasses began to fog and I began to wonder if the hike had been a good idea. As my jacket got wetter and wetter, I got grumpier and grumpier. Why had I agreed to take this hike? What was I thinking? I wanted to sit by a fire with a warm cup of tea. Instead, I was shivering and miserable.
But then the path turned a corner and I stopped — stunned by the beauty before me. We had come to a footbridge that spanned a breathtakingly glorious gorge. Massive granite outcroppings framed the steep drop to the streambed enclosing the raging water below. Huge snowflakes falling down to the stream drew me into a winter wonderland. I don’t think I’d ever looked down a ravine in a snowstorm before. As I watched the snowflakes land on the boulders, pine branches or become one with the water, I felt as though I’d stumbled into a mystical forest. The trees weren’t cold and wet. They were playing with the snowflakes as the wind blew them into intricate patterns and formations dancing in delight.
I forgot about being grumpy. I wanted to soak in the beauty and stand there forever in the quiet glory before me. I was inside a living prayer. As I we turned to go, the snowflakes falling on my shoulders felt like a blessing. Misery turned into mystery.
Sometimes life has a way of wearing us down. But Mother Earth likes to restore our souls. She invites us to delight in the gifts of creation and encourages us to play. Like the Psalmist prayed in Psalm 23, “The Holy One leads me beside still waters and restores my soul.” Now and then, we are encouraged to fall in love with life and rejoice in it.
If you have a few minutes this week, go for a walk. It doesn’t have to be in a magical forest. It can be in the middle of a city. Stay open to what touches your heart. Does a flash of beauty catch your eye? Are there children laughing in a playground? Is there a tree dancing in the sunlight? Notice the moments of delight that restore your soul.
May you be encircled in wonder and blessed by the beauty around you.
Deep peace to you,
Susan
