The beauty that exists side by side with ugliness takes my breath away and astounds me. How can they live, side by side? Sometimes a voice inside of me says "you are not allowed to immerse yourself in the beauty, when so much ugliness exists." Or tells me "the beauty is not there, don't waste your time looking at it, for it. Move on. Attack what is ugly." I understand that this is not a sustainable way to live, but I forget. I put blinders on to the beauty. Your words and pictures remind me that "there is so, so, so much that is beautiful, good, holy, whole." I need to drink it in, let it fill and sustain me.
"May it trump, transform, transmute
what seems to lack
sufficient
beauty, goodness, holiness, wholeness."
I try to find what is beautiful hidden in the ugly. Often I can. But since January 20, I cannot. I ask, can pure evil exist? I think maybe anger, rage, prevent me from even wanting to look if there is a sliver of what is beautiful. I want to annihilate, and it's easier to do if there is pure evil. I think I need to ponder this. Rage is not a strong foundation, although it must be allowed to find what is beyond, and under. Allowed because it is there, asking to be understood.
Thank you Marisol. Your words and pictures help me move along my path.
When I see your post, I read it, and my shoulders relax, I can breathe more easily, I feel the hope that exists. Thank you Marisol, for your Pausing for Ponderings!
Marisol, I laughed out loud at your PS with the photo of the redwood burl with googly-eyes and the "ands/boths" photobombing the ugliest lines. Thank you for the love and inspiration you share in your poems. And thanks so much for including me in your wonderful list of Substackers who show true beauty. Many blessings to you!
I am savoring your words today. Flowing. Present. Beauty-full. Loud splendor. Kindness. Cleverly disguised. Hope regained. Effervescence. Witness goodness. Plain acts of heroism. Bridging out of care. Profound sorrow, yet, somehow beauty. Beauty, brokenness, breathe alongside each other.
Today, slowing down to the pace of reading letters, putting hands on earth, kneading bread. Feeling the bridge of connection created by words that uplift beauty and wholeness.
You said, "Say smiling sages" and it made me think: what about the beauty of a good laugh? I mean, truly, gut-busting laughter that leaves you gasping for air and with tears streaming down your face. It's messy, it's loud, it's gloriously imperfect. And yet, it's one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. When someone laughs like that, it's like they're momentarily shedding all their pretenses, all their worries, and just letting pure, unadulterated joy erupt. In those moments, they're radiant. They're vulnerable. They're utterly human. It's a beauty that isn't about symmetry or perfection, but about the wild, unbridled spirit within us. And, really, isn't that the most beautiful thing of all?
"It's a beauty that isn't about symmetry or perfection, but about the wild, unbridled spirit within us. And, really, isn't that the most beautiful thing of all?"
I needed to remember this today, Alexander, thank you.
"In this world, and in this life
there is so, so, so, so much
that is beautiful, good, holy, whole.
May it triumph."
The beauty that exists side by side with ugliness takes my breath away and astounds me. How can they live, side by side? Sometimes a voice inside of me says "you are not allowed to immerse yourself in the beauty, when so much ugliness exists." Or tells me "the beauty is not there, don't waste your time looking at it, for it. Move on. Attack what is ugly." I understand that this is not a sustainable way to live, but I forget. I put blinders on to the beauty. Your words and pictures remind me that "there is so, so, so much that is beautiful, good, holy, whole." I need to drink it in, let it fill and sustain me.
"May it trump, transform, transmute
what seems to lack
sufficient
beauty, goodness, holiness, wholeness."
I try to find what is beautiful hidden in the ugly. Often I can. But since January 20, I cannot. I ask, can pure evil exist? I think maybe anger, rage, prevent me from even wanting to look if there is a sliver of what is beautiful. I want to annihilate, and it's easier to do if there is pure evil. I think I need to ponder this. Rage is not a strong foundation, although it must be allowed to find what is beyond, and under. Allowed because it is there, asking to be understood.
Thank you Marisol. Your words and pictures help me move along my path.
Warrior voice tries to
overwhelm our witness voice.
While worker voice works.
...
In traumatic times
the three voices seem needed.
How to harmonize?
Warrior, witness, worker(alliteration=), intended?). I love having these names! Helps my rage to feel more focused, purposeful… Thank you!
We wise women (wink)
weave, wield weapons for we-world.
Says a word witch (wink).
She knows true beauty,
and its ugly counterparts.
Thanks for the restack!
Thank you for the shout out, Marisol! I'm honored to be in your world.
I especially appreciated:
"Beauty, brokenness,
breathe alongside each other.
Both may bear blessings."
The paradoxes of life appeal so deeply to me. Beauty and brokeness: both pathways to truth. 💚
Traveling a beautyway, lively we walk.
Ray finds smiles, solace
in ladybug drawing, rain.
Glad we resonate!
Great pairing of pics with the writing. Opening and connecting, mi amor.
Partner, first reader,
“great pairing” our met joined paths.
Our love, beautiful.
When I see your post, I read it, and my shoulders relax, I can breathe more easily, I feel the hope that exists. Thank you Marisol, for your Pausing for Ponderings!
When reading your words,
this heart smiles, thankful to grace.
“The hope that exists”!
Your writing and photos delight and astonish and give pause to ponder, blessings of beauty. ❤
Stephanie dear, thanks
for your feedback fuels our tanks.
Feeds our true wealth banks.
Marisol, I laughed out loud at your PS with the photo of the redwood burl with googly-eyes and the "ands/boths" photobombing the ugliest lines. Thank you for the love and inspiration you share in your poems. And thanks so much for including me in your wonderful list of Substackers who show true beauty. Many blessings to you!
Glad to prompt some laughs,
as your writing makes us smile.
In more ways than one.
Blue bearded iris
You don’t have to cut it
Love all of this
Ain’t she beautiful
Glad to find you beautiful poet
Prajna, Salty Crone,
found these verses, groked words, tone.
Welcome to this home!
I am savoring your words today. Flowing. Present. Beauty-full. Loud splendor. Kindness. Cleverly disguised. Hope regained. Effervescence. Witness goodness. Plain acts of heroism. Bridging out of care. Profound sorrow, yet, somehow beauty. Beauty, brokenness, breathe alongside each other.
Today, slowing down to the pace of reading letters, putting hands on earth, kneading bread. Feeling the bridge of connection created by words that uplift beauty and wholeness.
Thank you.
Susan, slow, sweet Sí~
Your comment, call and response.
Savoring splendor.
Stunning! And what an incredible list of beings being.
Paulette finds beauty
in the messy, muddy, muck
of this wondrous world.
Oh, how sweet and lovely and generous of you, Marisol.
Thank you, Marisol. Such wise and beautiful poem meditations.
"Beauty, brokenness,
breathe alongside each other.
Both may bear blessings."
Thank you for including Be Where You Are! <3
Be Where You Are calls
to presence here, wows, woes, awe.
Beauty in breadth, breath!
💛💛
Seeing the beauty
Opening to communion
We know we are one.
Leah’s haiku shines
pure promises, prayer, praise.
It, us, home, om, one.
"Our light, in our acts,
our beauty, in our kindness.
Say wise wrinkled crones."
As always, Marisol, I'm uplifted by your poetic pen. Beautiful Beings, Being nourished my morning. Thank you.
Nourishing beauty,
your Creative Eldering.
Caring cool crone clan!
You said, "Say smiling sages" and it made me think: what about the beauty of a good laugh? I mean, truly, gut-busting laughter that leaves you gasping for air and with tears streaming down your face. It's messy, it's loud, it's gloriously imperfect. And yet, it's one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. When someone laughs like that, it's like they're momentarily shedding all their pretenses, all their worries, and just letting pure, unadulterated joy erupt. In those moments, they're radiant. They're vulnerable. They're utterly human. It's a beauty that isn't about symmetry or perfection, but about the wild, unbridled spirit within us. And, really, isn't that the most beautiful thing of all?
"It's a beauty that isn't about symmetry or perfection, but about the wild, unbridled spirit within us. And, really, isn't that the most beautiful thing of all?"
I needed to remember this today, Alexander, thank you.
Thanks both for playing,
bringing the beauty of free
cross-pollination!
Oh yes, Alex, thanks!
Sight, sound, feel of a good laugh,
it’s tear-soaked beauty.
Beautiful! 🌹
Like how your garden
hummingbird flew, found flower.
Like hope & kindness. 😉