Seeking the Beauty

I sit writing this on the front porch, the sun warming my back and a light breeze tickling my face. There is not a bit of humidity, at least not the kind I grew up with in the south. It's peaceful here and I feel drawn to this spot, this place where I can gather my thoughts, close my eyes and deeply inhale all of the smells of summer.

Since last we met, our Emma was rescued by our towns finest from the creek behind our house while tubing, after a storm caused it to rise unexpectedly (she's fine!), we traveled to Michigan on vacation, dug our toes in the sand, celebrated the 4th of July, had many cups of tea and coffee on the patio, time in the garden, trips to the farmers market, cooked some amazing meals, had drinks on the porch, visits with friends, read books, took naps and did any number of lovely things.

Since last we met, the world seems to have gone crazy, although really it's not just since last we met, as it seems to be increasingly going crazy.

Life is messy. There is beauty amongst the ugliness, weeds amongst the flowers. Life can be chaotic and stressful. Relationships can be hard. Different seasons of life bring us varying challenges and beauty. Sometimes we have to protect ourselves from things that make us unhappy. Sometimes that can't be done and that's okay too, but when it can, I feel a strong need to shape my life into the kind of life I want to be living rather than leaving it to circumstance.

What you seek, is what you will find. So I shall seek the beauty. Seek the kindness. Seek the good. Seek the love. Seek the peace. Seek the laughter.

And during those moments where I am thrust into chaos, I will hold on to the knowledge that I will find my way back to the beautiful moments. They are always there waiting for me if I just take the time to see them.