The conversations of the day are fraught. One can smell the tension. But other things are more delicate and tender: autumn colors, the stillness of the moon—even a multicolored balloon against the mountains and a bluing sky. Reach out and seek them. They are waiting. Perhaps it is time—a time for beauty.
Most of us needn’t search far. A house plant, a knowingly wise friend’s worn face, the shade or light that enters your residence unexpectedly. Sit in a different place to see with fresh eyes.
Make the time. Look. Listen. In a quiet place, you can hear your heartbeat. Settle on one thing.
The day is fraught. Unmake it. Remake it.
Allow beauty to enter you.
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The wonderous Laura Hedien posted the photograph above in October 2024. It comes from the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. The image was used with her permission: Laura Hedien Official Website.
Yes.
Thanks, Frank.
We need every reminder to detach from the stress and move i to more relaxing thoughts! Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you, Tamara. Much has been said about relaxation, which is why I wrote about beauty and human connection. They overlap with relaxation and meditation, but seem to be both more available and more life affirming. I hope you agree.
A very positive message
It seemed fitting. I’m glad you liked it, Beth. Thank you.
Caro dottor Stein,
Waking up very very early (I hate this imposed change of hour Europe forced us to accept: my body and my mind each time need weeks to accept it. Ironically Swiss citizens voted against it, but obeyed then EU’s impisitions!) on the opposite side of the globe and discover such a beautiful title.
Grace enters into this new day. Grazie.
Grace will continue then all my journey long as I offered to play piano during a magnificently richly prepared mercatino di beneficenza here at the shores of Lake Maggiore.
Wish you, dottor Stein, and all your readers could attend, walking through coloured, scintillating alleys full of treasures.
Hope sun will bless us as I’m going to play outside, at market entry, several hours, wearing one of my most beautiful concert dresses: red velvet with a long train!
Grace may enter all human lives!
Enjoy your day on the shores of Lake Maggiore, oppure in Ticino!
Grazie, Martina.
Cari saluti 👋
Da parte mia anche cari saluti, Micaela:)
I have heard of the great beauty of that lake. You will be beautiful and create the beautiful. What will you be playing? Thank you for your lovely thoughts, Micaela.
Grazie, caro dottor Stein!
Among Christmas songs even if it’s a bit early Schubert, Mozart Beethoven, Bach, Chopin and Friends.
Of course there will be “hits”: Moonlight sonata, Chopin’s nocturnes, Schubert’s Ave Maria and Impromptus, Mozart’s Marche turque and Laudate Dominum, Bach’s preludes and more more more!
A Day For Beauty.
Indeed, a Day for Beauty. Thank you, Micaela.
By the way, did you play in the recording of Les Noces with Nagano?
No , I sung Stravinsky’s “Les Noces” at Verbier Festival under his baton.
I heard the piece once under Giuliani. You have wide experience at a high level. Brava, Micaela!
I made my career as a singer but teached piano at Geneva’s Conservatoire
Didn’t know about a recording!
I am happy to inform you, dear Micaela!
Many thanks Dr. Stein for your hope inspiring words!
A day to get off the high wire walk. Beauty is patient. It waits for us. Thank you, Martina.
🤣🌻
Oof! Those last three lines…paragraphs. Thank you, thank you, Dr. Stein.
Thank you, Vicki. Hold on to hope. Much appreciated, as always.
Good to be in the company of other hopeful souls, for sure. 💕
“A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing…”
~John Keats, A Poetic Romance
One couldn’t find a more appropriate poem, Evelyn. Thank you.
Thank you, Dr. Stein <3 This tension is for real 🙁
Indeed, Rosaliene. Keep a good thought and be prepared to wait, if necessary.
An incredible timely and needed reminder. Beautifully written! Thank you for this gift, Dr. Stein!
As I thought about the day and the historical moment in our lives, it was the only thing that was in me to say. Thanks, Wynne.
[…] as a way to process life. To be intentional, to be mindful, to find patterns. From Dr. Stein (Dr. Gerald Stein blog) who creates helpful and rich life lessons from his years of as a psychologist to David (Pinwheel […]