The wonder of a single snowflake outweighs the wisdom of a million meteorologists. –Sir Francis Bacon, philosopher
I once heard someone say that we should “look at” everything in life as though we were seeing it for the first or last time. If you think about it, that’s a very profound – life-changing, even – approach.
It reminds me of the unspeakable joy I always got when my daughters were babies and would see anything for the first time – snow, Christmas lights, cats, airplanes, monkeys at the zoo, etc. Things that we all saw for the first time at some point. None of these things are any less spectacular or beautiful today than they were then. The problem is we get “used” to so many of them and take them for granted.
The holidays are a perfect example – whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, we often get so busy buying, baking, wrapping, and complaining about money (come on… we’re all guilty!) that we allow one beautiful scene after the next to slip right past us.
- I always get a kick out of mall “Santas” – well, not them as much as the little ones in line and on lap. Their expressions are precious and their excitement is contagious. If you need a little extra Christmas cheer, trust me, find a mall Santa and the company he keeps.
- Christmas lights always put on a dazzling show.
- Maybe it’s because I’m a foodie, but I think there’s a great deal of beauty in all the candies, cookies, pies, hams, and casseroles!
- Candles – especially the ones that smell as beautiful as they look.
- Nativity scenes are also extra beautiful and meaningful.
- Christmas music – driving around town while bellowing out loud with songs on the radio? Priceless.
- Tinsel, bows, wrapping paper, ribbons, bags… they’re works of art in and of themselves.
- Christmas trees – a beautifully decorated Christmas tree is gorgeous – but so is a small, humble “Charlie Brown” tree. No such thing as an ugly Christmas tree as far as I’m concerned.
- Last… but certainly not least… there isn’t anything more beautiful than families gathering together – around the tree, around the table, and around the tv – this is the stuff memories AND LIFE are made of.
Like snowflakes, there are wonders all around us. I hope that this Christmas season – and all the seasons thereafter – you’ll slow down and allow yourself to be awestruck by the beauty and the wonders that surround you.
~ Joi
Great insight. What changes over time is us, and the way we see the world. It’s so easy to get jaded. We need to remember to keep a “beginners mind” as Suzuki said: be able to see everything as if for the first time. As you said, “There isn’t anything more beautiful than families gathering together.” It really is the people in our lives that make it worth living!
Thank you. I think that most of us need to be reminded, at least daily.
You described Christmas like a multifaceted diamond. For those who see it as you/we do, it is a wonderful thing. Yet, do sad for those who miss it. I agree, there are no ugly Christmas trees for they reflect those who decorate them.
Thanks for the reminder. This is something that I’ve been working on. My favorite age of all of my children were 9 – 12 months because it’s the first time they are experiencing things and their expressions/reactions to it all are precious.
Love what you have!
I feel like we go about your lives so fast that we fail to see the natural beauties in life. I know the holidays are over, but it’s still great to apply this method from time to time as we step outside and see the world for what it is. in the path to self development, it we sometimes become so compacted within ourselves that we fail to notice the small beauties around us. So thanks again for posting an amazing article.