Find a Bit of Beauty...Countdown to Spring #10

"Find a bit of beauty in the world today. Share it. If you can't find it, create it. Some days this may be hard to do. Persevere."

These are the words Lisa Adams (@AdamsLisa) shared in each of her posts. I wrote about Lisa last year and have continued to follow her writing through her blog and on Twitter throughout the year. Metastatic breast cancer took Lisa's life last week. She taught us much during her time with us, especially lessons on finding beauty in the world, even when things seem anything but beautiful. I often write about the qualities of resilience -- control, commitment, challenge and connection. Lisa continually cultivated these qualities on her good days and on her difficult ones as well. I am grateful to Lisa for reminding me that it is always possible to find a bit of beauty in the world even if we need to create it ourselves.

So, in honor of Lisa, I am dedicating my blog posts for the next 10 days, as we countdown to spring,to sharing a bit of beauty that I find in the world...will you join me?

#10 Daffodils on the kitchen table




Mindfulness Challenge Day 28 Haiku -- Boston Strong

As Boston emerged from an historic snowstorm, which dumped over two feet of snow in less than 24 hours over parts of Greater Boston, the resilience of its residents became apparent. A lone figure carefully and symbolically shoveled the finish line of the Boston Marathon...yes, we are Boston Strong!


Boston Strong

Only in Boston
The finish line is shoveled
We are Boston Strong


Mindfulness Challenge Day 27 Haiku -- Juno Arrives

The Blizzard of 2015, named Juno, came calling here in Massachusetts last night and predictions are it will contine to snow throughout today. The landscape looks surreal, reminiscent of scenes from the movie Dr Zhivago. I am grateful to be safe and warm inside; simply observing the magic of nature.

Juno Arrives

Blizzard called Juno
Blankets of snow cover all
Magic of nature

Mindfulness Challenge Day 26 Haiku -- Calm Before the Storm

I live in New England. In New England it snows in the winter. Sometimes it snows ALOT in the winter. Let's take a collective breath and realize that we WILL be snowed in for a few days, but we WILL dig out, and spring WILL arrive this year. Sometimes it is easier to embrace the "what is" and not fight it.

Calm Before the Storm

Calm before the storm
Preparations have been made
It is what it is

Mindfulness Challenge Day 21 Haiku -- Tragedy at the Hospital

Yesterday, in one of Boston's academic medical centers, the Brigham and Women's Hospital, a doctor was gunned down by the son of a deceased patient who then took his own life in one of the exam rooms. The safety of this space of healing forever changed, and two families left with unimaginable suffering all in a gun flash.

Tragedy at the Hospital

Horror and sadness
Healer shot while caregiving
Two families in pain

Mindfulness Challenge Day 16 Haiku --Airport Purgatory

pur·ga·to·ry
ˈpərɡəˌtôrē/
noun: a place or state of suffering inhabited by the souls of sinners who are expiating their sins before going to heaven.

A delayed de-icing of our US Airways plane in Boston yesterday, led to missed connections for 120 passengers on our flight...no flights out until the next day, if lucky. Lines upon lines of angry, disgruntled, weary travelers...airport purgatory.

Airport Purgatory

Embracing patience
Back to the airport today
Hoping to get there