Wednesday 4 March 2020

What is Beauty



There are things which grow in beauty in the long years that pass . . . and if anything, they grow lovelier day by day . . . things like old oak furniture and English china . . . silver and gilt . . . coloured glass and pottery . . .

Old English towns . . . with their charming names . . . old pubs . . . mellowed bricks and weathered stones . . . quaint old houses and ivy covered walls . . .

Each one gathers richly to themselves a beauty each their own.
 
 
 
It is the rare woman though . . . who can follow the years into old age, and maintain the beauty of her youth . . . Men seem to be able to do it fine. They appear to become more attractive as the years pass, or at least they do in a lot more instances than do women . . .

Or is it that we place far too much value in the the superficiality of looks and outward appearances??? Rather . . . we should place our value in the growth of virtue, kindliness and truth. Able to do this we would face the sunset with tranquility and ease . . . the lines of beauty that time and experience would draw upon our aging faces would be valued beyond measure. 
 


I think there is no more beautiful a woman on earth than one who has lived an abundant life filled with joy and love . . . and love of others and self . . . grace and humility . . . loving duty and service to others . . . simple pleasures . . . accomplishments, both great and small . . .  

It matters not that the hair is grey . . . or the eyes surrounded by wrinkles. What matters most is that she has lived a life that has counted for something, a life filled with truth and purpose. When I think of women like these . . . I am reminded of women such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Golda Meir, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, Indira Ghandi, Helen Keller and Margaret Mead . . . and many, many others. All being women of substance and great beauty . . . no . . . maybe not at first glance, but when you stop to scratch the surface . . . an astonishing amount of beauty oozes out and wraps around each of us.  

But not just women of world-wide fame and knowledge either. I think of all the women in the world who have give themselves over to caring for others, be they husbands, or families, friends, communities.  Beauty is the face of one who has loved simply, without judgement or expectation of anything in return.  They love and care and do simply because they don't have it in them to do otherwise. 

Beauty isn't always in the grand gestures, but often in the small and simple things that we do for each other every day . . .
  



That is the kind of beauty that I strive for. It doesn't come in a bottle or a box, or from the tip of a needle . . . it comes from within. It comes in many shapes and sizes . . . and colours. You cannot buy it. It must be learned and earned, and it is the reward of a life that is measured in service and achievement, in caring compassion, and in a genuine love for others . . . in a life well spent . . . in having made a difference. When we leave this earth . . . will anyone know that we've even been here? I hope that I will have made a difference. Thats always been my goal anyways.  



Our home is sparkling from top to bottom today, minus the moose in the front garden, lol.  My friend Tina has a cleaner come in every week to clean and I thought I would hire a cleaner to come and help Spring Clean before my children come over at the end of the month, to give the house a fresh sparkle and shine.  I struggle so with my arthritis and Todd . . .  well, we all know how  men clean.  No offense and I am grateful that he tries. I have recently been awarded PIP (personal independance payment for people with disabilities) and I got some back pay from it so I used some of it to hire a cleaner for the day yesterday and I was so pleased with the results. Mind you I worked like crazy on Monday to tidy up because well . . .  I didn't want my cleaner to think we are dirty people, haha!  Who cleans before the cleaner comes?  Me, that's who! 

Todd just shakes his head at me. Its called being a woman. ☺ 

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *
When someone does something wrong,
don't forget all the things 
that they did right. •。★★ 。* 。•。★★ 。* 。 



In the kitchen today, Gingerbread Muffins.  Moist and delicious and your house will smell amazing!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!  I hope the sun shines down on your and that you are safe.  Don't forget! 

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
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And I do too!     






14 comments:

  1. This is BEAUTY-FULL, Marie! As always, you express things sooo well! And how great with your cleaning help! I'm in the midst of spring cleaning here. I'm hoping TJ may help with some of the "bigger" jobs after a bit... ;) LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH ((BIG HUGS)) P.S. those muffins are calling my name... LOVE gingerbread!

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    1. I love you very much also Tracy and it is my hope that we will one day see you again! We are watching a Norweigian program on Netflix at the moment. Ragnarock I think it is called! You live in such a beautiful country! Love and hugs to you! xoxo

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  2. For sure you have made a difference, Marie. Down the years when people make one of your recipes, you will be remembered. And, of course, your family and friends will never forget you. You must feel good about your sparkling clean house. We had a cleaning lady come when my mom went back to work when I was 8. And yes, we "cleaned" before she came. It was wonderful to come home after school on the day the cleaning lady had come. The house always smelt of lemon furniture polish. I've never had a cleaning lady. My husband is really helpful around the house. He's always done the vacuuming and helped with dishes. I can't complain. I'm off to have breakfast. Enjoy your day. Hugs, Elaine

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    1. Aww thanks Elaine! I popped something into the post for you yesterday! I hope it gets there before your Birthday! This young woman was so energetic and such a great cleaner. She is from Brazil, a single mom with a daughter. Very nice personality and very thorough. I have always been the cleaning lady, even when I worked at the manor I had to double as a cleaner as well. I spent years cleaning houses for people after they moved and was a cleaner in an old people's residential home when I first moved over here to the UK. It felt nice to have someone clean for me for a change. But it was also a bit awkward in a funny way. Not entirely comfortable being "served" as I am usually on the other end! I hope you have a lovely day! Love and hugs, xoxo

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    2. Exciting to know there is something in the mail from you, Marie. Thank you so much. I think it's your turn now to be pampered a bit. Knowing what it's like to clean for other people you are no doubt very understsnding and compassionate towards your cleaning lady. Hugs, Elaine

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    3. I have to say I enjoyed the clean and sparkling feel of it afterwards Elaine! I am getting so lazy. xoxo

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  3. You have made a difference:) Just look at me:) LOL..And good on you for the cleaner..you must have felt the way I did after I had Eli help me in my gardens that fall day:)♥As if I had done twice as much..alone:)Have never had a house cleaner..maybe one day:)
    And keep DOING it if it sparks such sparkle for you.

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    1. It did feel nice Monique. I felt lazy sitting here while she cleaned, lol. Truly. I kept offering her cups of tea and whatnot, but she wouldn't have any. I did send her home with some muffins for her daughter. We will see how it goes and how the money goes! xoxo PS- you make difference also. Just ask anyone who knows you. ♥

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  4. Hi Marie~

    What a beautiful post, written by a beautiful woman! You have made such a difference to so many Marie! You have made a difference in my life, you are very dear to me! And you are right, gray hair and wrinkles mean that we have lived a full life and loved much, those lines around our eyes mean we have smiled more than we have frowned, our wrinkled fingers and less than perfect manicures, mean we have worked hard...these are all things a woman can be proud of!

    Kudos to you for having someone come in to help you make your home sparkle! I can't think of a better way to spend you extra money, especially if it makes you happy! My mom used to have a lady come in once a week and clean for her...she always cleaned up first as well ;0)

    Have a wonderful rest of your day, love you much XOXO

    Hugs and Love,
    Barb

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    1. Thanks so much Barb! I love you too!! I decided a few years ago I was going to go grey gracefully and I am. The chin hairs, well I could certainly do without them! haha I don't mind wrinkles much. But age spots and extra hair drive me to distraction! Hope you have a lovely weekend! I am teaching on Sunday and still haven't settled my lesson. David a Bednar and it is a hard lesson to do. xoxo

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  5. How wonderful to have a cleaner. To have your home already for your visit with family. It has to be a great feeling. It takes me a long time theses days to get my house in shape. I've never had a cleaner here, but boy it could use some help. Not to worry , little by little it will all get done. No one ever visits when the house is clean anyway!

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    1. You are right Pam, they always come when you are in a mess! I am sure your house is just lovely! xoxo

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  6. So glad you got some help!! Hope you are to continue so doing from time to time!!
    Elizabeth xoxo

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    1. Its made a real difference Elizabeth! Thanks! xoxo

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