Isn't Just One Kind

"she was tired.

it was one mess after another.

every time she turned around

but when she looked at the spaces

in between the messes - 

or the rings around those very spots -

she saw beauty.

here.

and there.

and over here. 

mess surrounded by beauty.

beauty surrounded by mess.

she leaned her head back and smiled.

and stood up once again." 

                                      Terri St. Cloud

This is a great reminder, that life isn't all one thing.  It is many things.  Some are hurtful and others are delightful.  We feel sad and then see a brilliant sunset.  There are days where the past pops in and messes with your head, and then you snowshoe among the decorated trees.   

If you just look at the whole landscape, the beauty that surrounds the messes, the messes are not so overwhelming or even prominent.  

And, we can easily get stuck staring at the mess, and forget to take a break and be in wonder.

When we glance away from the mess, we can see that there isn't just one kind.  That we have both, and often more beauty than messes.

Often what we call messes are just lessons arriving or consequences from past choices, and some messes are others, and not ours to unravel.

In the past few weeks I have had a note arrive, that created a mess in my head for awhile, until I look elsewhere and perhaps gather more space between the mess and Me.

And, by snowshoeing in snow covered trees, their beauty reduces the mess to a puddle.

I have had a message exchange, that I spent a few days mulling over.  Whose responsibility was the mess really?  What was my contribution to the mess and what lessons can I learn?  And, sprinkled around the mess were Christmas decorations.

I love this reminder, life isn't just one kind.