Beauty

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,  we must carry it with us or we find it not." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Preface:  Random Acts of Kick Arse is a movement to bring more of {monthly theme} into our lives, and the lives of those around us. 

October Theme:  Beauty.  Find ways to incorporate/see more beauty in the world.

The Results:  Beauty.  What would it look like?  How could I both see more beauty in my world, and possibly even bring a little more at the same time?  Would I be more aware of what and who I was surrounded by?  Beauty, it seemed, was perplexing for me.  And then I happened to hear an old Beatles song:

"…speaking words of wisdom, let it be."

And so I did…I just "let it be".

November unfolded beautifully.  There was much beauty in the whole month.  I experienced this daily, and my life was touched in some wonderful ways.  Today, I'll highlight one of those.

Strangers.  To friends. 

Deep beauty in what can really develop in such a short period of time.

I spent a week of my November at a leadership and self-awareness workshop in North Carolina.  Myself and six strangers coming together, to grow in ways we weren't really sure about – and all led by our wonderful leader Holly (not pictured). 

Picture with me walking into a small room and not knowing anyone.  Then transition that with leaving that same room, feeling completely comfortable telling this same group of people anything.  And trusting them to be there, to support you on your journey.  Five days.  Late nights.  Lots of coffee (or tea!).  And desserts!  A developing bond, a connection that touched upon the soul…the soul of everyone there.  A sharing of thoughts freely and openly.  Courageous steps for everyone, and constant love and support along the way. 

I arrived back from this workshop with new life.  Beliefs in what CAN be.  A belief that all is possible, and that there are people out there who care deeply.  People who were strangers to me just three short weeks ago.  So, to each of you there with me that week, if you are reading this…thank you.  Thank you for shining your beauty into my life.

And to all of you reading here…there is so much beauty just in your presence.  You…taking the time from your busy schedule to read these words here.

There can be beauty in so many moments of our life, if we can carry that beauty within us first…

Beauty.

You.  Me.  Our world.

What is Random Acts of Kick Arse (RAOKA)?  With the idea that there are so many ways we can do small things to change the world for good, Sami, from Life, Laughs, and Lemmings took an idea she had and created this movement.  The movement:  A new theme to focus on each month, bringing a little more good to the world.  The movement started in October 2009, with a core group of participants:

Melissa from Operation NICE
Lori from Jane Be Nimble
Dani from Positively Present
Brandi from Joy Rebel
Zeenat from Positive Provocations
Sami from Life, Laughs, and Lemmings

Each month a topic will be chosen to focus on, and then at the start of the next month, the participants will write about their experiences from the previous month.

Interested in joining the movement?  Contact Sami for details.

December Theme:  Wackiness (as chosen by me!)

Logo courtesy of Melissa from Operation NICE