It was New Years Day, 2003. I always like to take a walk on the New Year, clearing my mind and preparing myself for the year to come. My first steps on the earth on the first day of the year symbolize for me how I will focus my energy during this next segment of my life.

 

I was feeling particularly peaceful and joyful that day. No real reason for it, other than it was a brand new year. A brand new canvas on which to draw the next phase of my life. With an open heart, I wanted to embrace this year and allow every experience to touch me, knowing with every touch brings a better me.

 

I opened the door and looked out into the grayish, slushy courtyard between the apartments. Not your typically beautiful winter snow. It was actually a bit dismal and relatively un-inviting. As I traversed the dingy, salt-crested sidewalk, the apparent dreariness of this day was hard to deny. There was a fog, the ground was wet with dark, dirty snow. The trees were completely void of leaves, and really of life in general.

 

My heart was full. Full of potential. Full of possibility. This year was going to be beautiful. Good & bad. Hard & soft. Bright & dim. Beautiful in every way. The bitter appearance of this day (and of life in general) could not deter me from finding my silver lining. Joy was mine, no matter what.

 

My soul felt at peace with all of life and I felt a full acceptance of the bitter with the sweet and an unconditional love for all of this world. I smiled and I said to the earth, "Oh great Mother, you are so beautiful. Even with your bare, unleafed trees and your drab, gray sky and your soggy, messy earth, you are just amazingly beautiful." 

 

I immediately "heard" back from the earth, "So are you." 

They say that when truth is spoken, it brings tears to the eyes. Well, this truth brought a downpour. Now, it was my turn to receive that unconditional love. I felt so much love pouring through my body, I could hardly stand it.

My wish is that every person on this planet comes to see that no matter what their burdens, however unbeautiful life may seem for them, I wish that they will feel and see how beautiful they truly are and in doing so may they find the beauty & magic that life holds for them.