The Beautiful You by Steve Goodier

March 20th being the first day of spring, one can't help but have visions of all the beauty that awaits.

Beauty?... To me it is a word without sense because I do not know where its meaning comes from nor where it leads to. ~Pablo Picasso

Beauty isn't worth thinking about; what's important is your mind. You don't want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head. ~Garrison Keillor

The 2nd quote made me laugh so I just had to include it. I hope it puts a smile on your face too.

Happy 1st Day of Spring!

Follow this link to read the Winter '09 - Sharing the Journey Newsletter. http://www.fafonline.orgdocsVolume Issue-Winter2009-Web.pdf

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THE BEAUTIFUL YOU

We place great emphasis on a narrow idea of physical beauty.

In an American history discussion group, the professor was trying to explain how, throughout history, the concept of "beauty" changes with time. "For example," he said, "take the 1921 Miss America. She stood five-foot-one inch tall, weighed 108 pounds and sported a 30-inch bust, a 25-inch waist and 32-inch hips. How do you think she'd do in today's version of the contest?"

The class fell silent for a moment. Then one student piped up, "Not very well."

"Why is that?" asked the professor.

"For one thing," the student pointed out, "she'd be way too old."

Good point -- she'd be way too old. But beauty is a peculiar thing, for it means something a little different to each of us. And it isn't always about appearance. Sometimes beauty is a quality that softly shines from inner depths. And you may actually radiate more inner beauty than you realize.

An elderly woman noticed that her granddaughter felt embarrassed by her freckles. "I love your freckles," she said, kneeling beside the girl and admiring her face.

"Not me," the child replied.

"Well, when I was a little girl I always wanted freckles," the grandmother said, tracing her finger across the child's cheek. "Freckles are beautiful."

The girl looked up. "Really?"

"Of course," said her grandmother. "Why just name one thing that's prettier than freckles."

The little girl peered into the old woman's smiling face, aglow with kindness and love. "Wrinkles," she answered softly.

The physical beauty of youth will fade. But the beauty of a spirit, when nurtured, can grow forever.

-- Steve Goodier

The Beauty in Simple Things

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

~ Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Beautiful Simplicity

"The simplified life is a sanctified life,
Much more calm, much less strife.
Oh, what wondrous truths are unveiled-
Projects succeed which had previously failed.
Oh, how beautiful life can be,
Beautiful simplicity."

- The Peace Pilgrim

Why not decide to simplify some part of your life this week. We often create such complication and attach ourselves to so much stuff that it is very difficult for our light to shine through. And of course with so much complication and so much attachment we keep telling ourselves we have no time to be still and no time to nourish the talents which we have been given.

Yet within us we still hear our inner voice calling us "go on ... take another step ...". Sometimes we respond within ourselves "I will ...I will ... when I've enough time or enough money or know enough people or when I'm good enough or ... and so on". It comes down to one thing, one simple step - make a committed decision. Once made, you begin to focus and the universe responds to help you. Ah but I don't know what decision to make? If that's the case it's time to simplify and create space. In that quiet still space listen to your heart. Let your heart guide your way and trust the guidance you receive.

So clear out the cupboard, the wardrobe, the shed, the computer, whatever - if you haven't used it or worn it for a year then give it to someone who will use it or wear it or chuck it out!

I dare you!

© Seán M. Kelly

Finding the Good News

A few thoughts worth thinking!

Troubles are a lot like people - they grow bigger if you nurse them.
~Author Unknown

We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday's burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.
~John Newton

I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal - and soon they'll forget my number.
~Edith Armstrong

Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday.
~Author Unknown

Jo

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A few years ago I read of a Ukraine businessman who bought a pager for each member of his staff as a New Year's gift. As he was returning from the pager shop, all 50 beepers on the back seat of his automobile simultaneously burst out screeching. He was so alarmed that he drove his car into a lamp post, just 100 meters from his office.

After he assessed the damage to the car, the businessman turned his attention to the message on the 50 pagers. It read: "Congratulations on a successful purchase!" (Reuters, Jan. 14, 1999) That got his attention. Unfortunately, it's the bad news – newspaper headlines and world events – that generally clamor the loudest to get noticed.

And there is enough bad news all around. I came across an article that reported a study of a large group of people who were instructed to evaluate all the information they received for a year and a half. They were asked to record whether what they were seeing and hearing all day long was positive or negative. These researchers determined that ninety percent of the input the group received was negative – bad news.

That may not come as a surprise to everyone. Over a half-century ago, Franklin Roosevelt told about an old man who was losing his hearing and went to the doctor for help. He was advised to quit drinking alcohol. When his family asked him what he was going to do, he replied, "Well, I've given it a lot of thought and I've decided I like what I've been drinkin' so much better than what I've been hearin', I'm just gonna keep on gettin' deaf."

But there is still GOOD news aplenty. We can still hear encouraging words from friends. Any day we can witness numerous acts of generosity and kindness. And we can still spot signs all around us of love and hope. Sometimes we may have to look a little more closely, but the good news is there.

Are you finding it? It's worth the effort.

-- Steve Goodier