Savor the Ordinary

For the last few months I’ve drawn, painted or colored a mandala each week. Wikipedia says: “Mandalas are a generic term for any plan, chart or geometric pattern that represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a microcosm of the Universe from the human perspective.”


I use mandalas as a way of connecting to my soul, to hear God in fresh ways, to stimulate my right brain, and to just play. Playing is fun! I am relearning how to playfully create and not take creating so seriously. Creations don’t to be worthy of selling or sharing to be fun and meaningful.

The last retreat I co-facilitated I wanted a visual to symbolize impermanence, so I created a mandala of candy. I enjoyed the simple beauty that arose; those who ate the candy enjoyed the beauty and the impermanence! Ordinary candy, ordinary people, ordinary play, became a feast of admiring, savoring, and letting go.

Find beauty in the ordinary. It doesn’t take time, just a shift in awareness. You don’t have to stop to smell the roses; simply inhaling deeply as you pass will do. Savor ordinary meals, ordinary days. Savor each connection with humanity, no matter how brief. Brief eye contact here, a smile there is a beautiful way to notice another. The simplest noticing often makes a difference in someone's day. Life isn't mostly heroics; it's about showing up day and after day, present, aware, and purposefully looking for beauty, truth and goodness.

Love deeply, find beauty everywhere, play, create, and let go!

Joyfully,
Sharon

 The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart.  ~ Jelaluddin Rumi
 
It's the beauty within us that makes it possible for us to recognize the beauty around us.  ~ Joan Chittister in The Psalms
 
Beauty saves. Beauty heals. Beauty motivates. Beauty unites. Beauty returns us to our origins, and here lies the ultimate act of saving, of healing, of overcoming dualism. Beauty allows us to forget the pain and dwell on the joy.  ~ Matthew Fox in Original Blessing
 
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ~Paul writing in Philippians 4:8