Astonishing Beauty

“True Beauty is when I suddenly notice how full the world is of astonishing images…the print the fallen autumn leaves make on the pavement that reflects the print life is leaving on my soul as I walk deeper into the years… Beauty is exchanging that smile of complicity with strang…ers on the street – yeah, we are all here, and we’re making it happen – every day, we live…we walk, eat, read, sit, sleep, share, are silent…we drink water that fans out through the amazing network of our bodies bringing us into alignment with all the waters everywhere – from the sea depths to the dew to the snow falling on the mountain tops…all that is in us, how can we not be BEAUTIFUL?

So – look at the adverts that try and press us into insignificant and superficial moulds…look at them with interest, as we can’t avoid them, and see how a civilization is trying to maintain a slippery hold on our becoming – trying to grasp us and make us shrink with fear, look at each other with competitive and s…caled eyes – never good enoughand then shake it off – knowing that we are part of a miracle, everyday – we ourselves ARE the miracle.

Perfectly imperfect beauty is loving what is – breath, words, twigs, the hard hats of building constructors, red fire engines, bicycles, my own two legs that do the job well, my faithful body that is here everyday when I wake up – ready to carry me into the new experience of a new day. My body likes that – being apprec…iated for the work it’s doing all the time, mysteriously, way beyond what I can understand…so intelligent, and happy to know its appreciated. And if ever one feels ‘not enough’ of something, not beautiful, slender, white-teethed or shiny haired for example, let it go and look for what is good – that I HAVE teeth, hair..and eyes to see the world. GO take a walk in a park and see how nature glories in every moment – we are part of nature, part of the glory of being physical, human beings with minds, hearts and souls…Appreciate that. That is where TRUE BEAUTY lies – that’s what I think.” -M.E.

Through My Eyes:

Beauty is joy. Absolute joy.

When someone is so happy with whatever they are doing, there is no way not to look beautiful. When someone makes you happy, they are beautiful.

The love and joy is contagious- when you are happy, everything and everyone looks beautiful. When you’re in love, the same. That is why it is said that love is blind. That is why anyone wearing an honest smile looks beautiful. When you are doing something you love and it shows, it’s infectious. The truth, joy, love and beauty just drown everyone around you.

I’ve been to many shows in the past, I’ve seen many performers and the ones that have stuck with me the most have been the ones who clearly enjoyed it- those who were doing it for the LOVE of it, nothing more.

Ben Graupner, of the 100 Monkeys (shown here) has been one of the most joyful performers I’ve ever encountered.  He’s an absolutely beautiful person in my eyes- his joy and love for music inspired absolute joy in me and inspired me in numerous ways.

So, thanks, Ben, for doing what you do with love.

and everyone else- whatever you do, do it with love. Find the joy in the little things and the beauty that is everywhere will blossom before your very eyes and you’ll make someone else smile and spread the beauty even further.  Do what you do with love. Smile often. Be happy.

::Quick reminder ::

Hello beautiful people!

Just wanted to post a quick reminder that the beauty of this blog is the participation and diversity of you- the readers! The last few posts have been written by me, inspired by others, but true beauty isn’t just what one person may believe it is- it is about diversity! So, participate! Email a picture of yourself in which you felt truly beautiful, or of someone that you believe is truly beautiful, along with a few lines of thoughts or quotes- anything! Thank you so much and spread the love! – Claudia G.

Through My (very cheery) Eyes:

photo by Brittany W.

Beauty isn’t about the size of your clothes, or how much money you have. It’s not about the number of miles you can run or the catwalks you walk. Beauty isn’t about facial symmetry or “perfection”. Beauty is about being a part of something bigger than yourself. It’s about taking and doing something you love and using what you have to spread that joy and love to anyone who it can touch. It’s honesty, passion, authenticity, confidence…

Beauty is in the number of smiles you inspire. It can be through a simple gesture such as a smile, a hug, a wink or a song. Some people inspire smiles just by simply being who they are and this is one of the purest forms of beauty.

I have been very privileged to meet some of the most beautiful people in the past week or so.  This photo captured one of the most amazing nights of my life and my encounter with an exceptional person whom I hope to have the luck of meeting again soon…

Beauty not only inspires a smile upon the first encounter but leaves a smile that is inspired by any thing that sparks a memory… beauty is everlasting. Spread your love and joy. Spread the beauty.

Embrace

I’m so thankful for all of the amazing people in my life, who embrace me as I am and inspire me to see the beauty in everything I see. I am thankful that they are always there for me, though not always physically due to distance. They’ve taught me that love can transcend all boundaries, it transcends time and distance. Love is everywhere and sheds light on everything with beauty.

Thankful for my Profession

“One of the things I am grateful for is to have come to my profession [human rights and peace professor] – which I had no idea about for a very long time. So by teaching I actually learn a lot, and get to know the most interesting persons… that is, I discover each and everybody is interesting – and as you know, in their own particular way, beautiful…” -GS

Beautiful and thankful for Family and Friends

I am thankful for my son, who shows me everyday what it’s really like to live life to the fullest, who loves me no matter what kind of mood I’m in, who can brighten up my day just by saying “I love you, M…ommy”.

I’m also thankful for good friends. My best friend who sat with me for 12 hours and never moved, ate or drank just so we could be as close as possible to Kings Of Leon, who stayed up with till 4am laughing about random nonsense, who thinks sitting on my porch till 2am makes for a great night.

I’m also thankful for family. My mom, sister and “dad” who helped me through more problems this year than I’ve seen in my entire life, who were there for me when I went through my divorce, who are always there when I need a shoulder to cry on, or to make me laugh my hardest when I feel like dying.

In a year that’s been the most dramatic of my life I have tons to be thankful for. I am thankful everyday for the friends and family that have come my way, they make my life complete.

-KP

In honor of the holidays.. beauty and thankfulness

Hey guys,

In honor of the holidays I’m asking anyone who would like to participate to please send me a comment about what they are thankful for and why and if you haven’t yet, send me a picture and a comment on what is beauty or what is sexy to you! Doesn’t have to be short or deep or meaningful, just something it means to YOU!

I’m thankful that people care about taking part in these things and I hope this project can continue and grow.

Much love to you all,

Claudia

Beauty is…

Beauty is camping out in the hot sunshine with little water, food, while refusing to move just to see someone you really admire and, despite it all, have the time of your life in the waiting…

Beauty is…

Beauty is the dissolving of divisions and borders to join together in celebration of a common love…

Poetry: The Unfading Beauty

The Unfading Beauty- by Thomas Carew

“HE that loves a rosy cheek,
Or a coral lip admires,
Or from star-like eyes doth seek
Fuel to maintain his fires:
As old Time makes these decay,
So his flames must waste away.

But a smooth and steadfast mind,
Gentle thoughts and calm desires,
Hearts with equal love combined,
Kindle never-dying fires.
Where these are not, I despise
Lovely cheeks or lips or eyes.”

Through My Eyes, Sexy Is…

Sexy is- expressive eyes. When I look at someone and I see everything in their eyes, there is nothing sexier. A glance with a message. Wrinkles from smiling often. The power to say everything without speaking a word, conveying a message with an expression.  It transcends language– just as beauty and sexiness transcend language. It’s the fire behind the eyes that could ignite a spark in silence.

The Natural State

“When people take candid photos or catch a glimpse of someone just acting naturally, it more often evokes a presence of “beauty” than when they are aware and reacting to your presence. This gives me the feeling that beauty is something that appears naturally in us…no cosmetics, no plastic surgery, no fixing your hair, just genuine reactions and appearances. I feel the presence of beauty when a person has that capacity and to embody that natural state even when people are watching.”

Define Yourself

Beauty is the confidence you feel within yourself. It’s the feeling you get when everyone is staring at you because of the way you present yourself. It’s the enlightment of your body clothes on or off.Beauty is the gorgeous silouette you create with natural light. It’s the sound of her voice calling me mommy. It’s the character I become when I’m running around after her trying to get her ready for bed. Beauty is how you define yourself within;without letting others tear you down.”

Surroundings

“I see beauty in so many ways and in so many different people and things.  To see the BEAUTY that surrounds me daily click on the link below!” click here

Random Thoughts:

-J

Through My Eyes:

One of the most beautiful souls I know: She    always has a smile on her face and love to share with everyone around, hugs aplenty. Her beauty grew exponentially when she took that love and went to the darkest corners of the world, to share the beauty, immerse herself in their beauty, and spread more love.

Beauty Poll

Poetry: Sonnet 130

SONNET 130
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask’d, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

-William Shakespeare

Inside-Out and Upside-Down

“Being together with people and animals makes me being lucky. It makes me so glad. My heart turns from the inside to the outside and assigns the inner beauty to the outer one. You can change a lot with just smiling.”