“The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Good morning, sweet friends. Welcome to the first post of “The Gentler Side of Life.” Beauty truly is the gentler, sweeter, softer, and more lovely side of life, isn’t it? Whenever I see a beautiful flower, a magnificent tree, a gorgeous piece of china, or a lovely piece of needlework (the list goes on), my heart melts. You may not be as gushy about it as I am, but I imagine your heart turns a little softer too. I return to a gentler world.
As many of you may know, I began my blog as a source of inspiration for those of you who are interested in beauty and goodness and, like myself, weary from the chaos in our world. I like to think it is a respite for all those who visit. These days, I believe beauty is more important than ever. So, I had a revelation. I have decided to write “The Gentler Side of Life” as a once a month series as I do “At Table.” It is my great hope that you will enjoy the beauty that I share and you will feel uplifted with a sense of peace when you leave. I will do my best to keep the posts from being too lengthy. However, I make no guarantees.
“Sometimes a revelation comes with a flash of heavenly light and a booming voice ~ and sometimes it is jotted in a sun-bleached spiral notebook.” ~ Jeffrey A. Lockwood
You Are Now Entering A Stress-Free Zone ~ Relax and Enjoy!
“Beauty is visible music.” ~ T.C. Henley
“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.” ~ Boris Pasternak
Do you love sweet little surprises? A small bouquet of flowers tied to your door, a book someone thought you would enjoy, which they left it on your porch, an unexpected package from an old friend, a loaf of Greek bread a friend knows you love, or hubby arriving home with a lovely bouquet of a few precious blooms. It really is all about the little things. They bring so much beauty and joy to our world.
“Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.” ~ Samuel Johnson
“On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.” ~ Jules Renard
Ah, the lavender fields of France. I have never seen them, but when it is once again safe to travel, we are headed there. Although I am not as well-traveled as many of you, I have visited many of the Caribbean Islands and have been all throughout the South. Through these travels, I have experienced unforgettable beauty. And, the place I call home, “Wild and Wonderful West Virginia” is majestic. Truly, there is beauty in our world at every turn.
New River Gorge in West Virginia. Dressed in her autumn beauty.
“Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.” ~ Mary Oliver
“When you leave a beautiful place, you carry it with you wherever you go.” ~ Alexandra Stoddard
“I often think of that rare fulfilling joy when I am in the presence of some wonderful alignment of events. Where the light, the colour, the shapes and the balance all interlock so beautifully that I feel truly overwhelmed by the wonder of it.” ~ Charlie Waite
Isn’t light wonderful? I love to see the early morning dappled light as it filters into our old home. And, another thing I love is to see: it dancing and sparkling like diamonds on the water. Such beauty is incredible.
Golden Rain Tree in bloom.
“It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility.” ~ Rachel Carson
Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed “The Gentler Side of Life.” As you know, I love beautiful words and it is my hope that you do too. For me, it seems important, even more so these days, to read words that are meaningful and make us pause for a moment and just think. I will also try to present lovely photos to accompany these words which will be peaceful and happy.
For some time, I have continually felt a gentle nudge to write this series, which I have been working on for a while. I know I have no solutions to problems in our world, that is in God’s hands. But if I can offer solace and a few moments of peace, I want to do just that.
I want you to know how much I appreciate your visit and if you can take a moment, I would love to hear your thoughts about this series. Wishing you a beautiful and peaceful day. Stay well !
“Beauty gives us hope” ~ unknown
Amour,
Sandra
Images: via tumblr and WV travel
Lovely, Sandra! Your post really does set our thoughts on the gentler side of life. All the photos are exquisite, but if I was going to choose a favourite, I am smitten with the blue door and the yellow posy of flowers on the door knob. I love blue and yellow! And then I love the posy of flowers wrapped in tissue — there is something so soft and restful about it.
Thank you for giving our hearts a place to rest a moment. Best blessings on this, the premier post of your lovely new series. Love and warm thoughts, Brenda xox
My dear and long friend, I thank you. You are a package of inspiration with your every word, and not to mention encouragement. Blessings to you on your beautiful writing journey. We need you, desperately.❤
Thank you, Sandra, for your beautiful heart and love of beauty. Your images and quotes raise our spirits.
We may lose power. Our forecast is 8-10 inches of rain from Hurricane Sally.
Dear Bonnie, thank you. I do hope you all do not lose power. When Mike and I lived in Va. Beach we sat through one too many hurricanes and they are so scary. Then to lose power for days afterward in dreadful heat is terrible. I will pray for your safety and that you will be out of harm’s way.
I am going to love this new series of yours! This post is beautiful.
Thank you, Penny. Have a lovely day.
Yes! This is wonderful, Sandra. Just viewing the photos and reading the captions has a calming effect. We all need more calm and quiet. So glad you included our beloved WV in the inaugural post! Indeed, whether you travel far and wide or stay close to home all your life, there is beauty at every turn.
Thank you, Rita. Your encouragement is wonderful. Perhaps, beauty has the hold on me that it does is because I was raised in such a beautiful state. You and I are blessed to live where we do.
Have a lovely day, my friend.
I’ve always looked forward to your posts. They have always been beautiful! This post was exceptionally wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing. The photo of your beautiful state is amazing!
Thank you Ellen, for your kind words. I hope you will continue to follow along.
Wishing you lovely autumn days.❤
This will be a lovely series, Sandra. And very timely. We need that beauty, that bit of respite in these days of anger, tension and concern. This is like a gentle panacea. It may not cure, but it sure helps.
Thanks so much, Jeanie. I will do my best to make every post uplifting. Have a great day and enjoy your lake as long as you can.
Sandra, I am so glad you felt the gentle nudge to start this new series. There is so much beauty around us, if only we open our eyes. The images you choose and the lovely quotes are a respite to the chaotic noise around us. I do love the quote, “beauty is visible music.” I will look forward to this monthly series! Blessings my friend ♥️
Many thanks, dear Pam. You are my encouraging friend. Have a wonderful day and I pray the storm stays away from you.
What a gorgeous post…I pinned away, not wanting some of these images to ever escape. Yes, I don’t think I would have survived this summer with out my Zinnias that simply exploded in a riot of colors and grew 6 foot tall. Perhaps Mother nature understands our worry and pain…even my Phlox which are usually long done by now are still continuously blossoming despite the fierce temps we had this summer. Thank you for the smiles and sighs, here, Sandi
Dear Sandi, you are welcome. This has truly been a time none of us will ever forget. The beauty of this earth will not solve the problems, but it will certainly help us all survive and breathe a little easier if only for a while. Wishing you lovely autumn days and thanks so much for your visit.❤
Elsie de Wolfe said ‘I am going to make everything around me beautiful. That will be my life”
The pink flowers in the first photo made my heart happy.
Good morning, Myrna. I have Elsie de Wolfe’s words in needlepoint, framed in our home. I love her work. I am glad the pink flowers made your heart happy, they did mine as well.
Thanks for visiting and do come again soon. Have a lovely day.
This is so beautiful, Sandra! What a wonderful idea! I love it as I have always found your blog to be a place of peace, calm, and beauty. I’m so sorry I am late commenting. It seems like homeschooling is taking up so much of my time this year. The days are flying by! Take care, sweet friend, and have a wonderful weekend!
Good morning, Shannon. I am so pleased you enjoyed the post and never worry about being late to comment. I love seeing you whenever you can visit. I can only imagine the time homeschooling must take. It makes my head spin to think of it.
Enjoy these autumn days, as you said, “They are flying by.” Stay well and have a lovely weekend. Many blessings, Shannon.
Bring on the gentler side of life! Looking for the beautiful good delights our hearts. Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Many thanks, Laura. Wishing you a lovely day and weekend.