Beauty is still here.

[AmBlue]

With all that is wrong and so stressful in our world today, it is important we still ourselves against it all from time to time and find-- or revisit-- personal moments of beauty and truth to lift our spirits and lighten our loads. Please share yours here.

I'll go first with a favorite tune by Mary Chapin Carpenter. Try and find it online to have a listen if you can. It's lovely.

Why Shouldn't We?

We believe in things that we cannot see
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Hands that heal can set a chained man free
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

We believe in peace within every heart
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Burning brightly, brightly in the dark
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

So come on darling feel your spirits rise
Come on children open up your eyes
God is all around
Buddha's at the gate
Allah hears your prayers
It's not too late

And we believe in things that will give us hope
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Let your voice be heard, celebrate your vote
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

We believe in things that make us all the same
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Love belongs to all in deed and name
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

And we believe in things that can't be done
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Lift up your heart, put down your gun
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

We believe in things
We're told that we cannot change
Why shouldn't we
We had heroes once, and we will again
Why shouldn't we

So come on darling
Come on children
God is all around, Buddha's at the gate
Allah hears our prayers
It's not too late

Why shouldn't we
Why shouldn't we
Why shouldn't we
Why shouldn't we
Why shouldn't we

:grouphug:

[Make7]

1. Audio links at the bottom of the following page:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4185762

[AmBlue]

3. Thank you for the links, Make7...

I didn't know she was on NPR recently. Perfect.

:hug:

[Hekate]

2. That's gorgeous, AmBlue. Now I MUST find a way to hear it.

And thank you so much for the reminder.

:hug:

Hekate

[AmBlue]

4. go to the link Make7 just posted

It's at the bottom.

[AmBlue]

5. kicking

for the morning crowd

[taterguy]

6. As long as there are places like this in the world things can't be too bad

[AmBlue]

7. where is that, taterguy?

mui lovely...

[taterguy]

8. Linville Gorge NC

Kinda sorta in between Asheville and Boone. Here's another pic

[AmBlue]

9. Thank you. That's gorgeous.

how 'bout a k&r to get this on the home page?

[taterguy]

10. I could spend all day kicking this with pics of the beautiful world

This one was taken about half an hour west of Boone

[AmBlue]

12. Please do.

We need it so.

[taterguy]

14. Low quality image taken with a cheap disposable on the best hike I've ever been on

It's a cliche but the Grand Canyon really does have to be experienced. Don't just stand at the edge and gawk. Go down deep inside. Get away from the distractions of life and just ponder things for a while.

[AmBlue]

16. Absolutely. I still remember...

How I could hardly walk after nine hours on a mule only half-way down and back up. The scale of it is mind-boggling isn't it? (even from muleback)

[taterguy]

17. I didn't need no stinkin mule

I left at 7:00 AM on foot. Went down to the river and made it back in time for dinner.

I could walk just fine afterwards. :)

[AmBlue]

18. Stinkin' is right!

And boy I smelled just like that mule by days' end. But I was a kid at the time and didn't have a choice because that's what my folks were doing. I remember wishing we could go all the way down.

[taterguy]

28. I went with inlaws when I was in my late 30s

My father in law and brother in law got the last two reservations at the Phantom Ranch, the lodge down by the river. They set off on one trail and I set off on the other. I wasn't sure how far I was gonna go but I was having so much fun that I decided just to go all the way down.

I admit that getting from the river back to the rim was kind of brutal: nine miles mostly uphill. But it was unforgettable and an experience that everyone should do, despite all the signs claiming that you're not supposed to attempt that hike in one day.

[chelaque liberal]

32. Looks great from here but what about up close?

I lived near there in Eastern TN. Before I moved there I assumed that people living in such a beautiful place would naturally value it and consider stewardship of the land important. I couldn't have been more wrong. There is trash everywhere. A county road near my home is spewn with litter, including a mattress, television or water heater at times. There is an absolutely beautiful waterfall ten miles away but I can't go there anymore because I get so upset about the bottles, dirty diapers and cigarette butts caught on the shore. I used to try to pick the litter up but there was always more the next time. This spring my husband and I performed our spring ritual and hauled 18 large bags of trash from the shore of our lake property.

I'm sorry. This isn't what the OP is about. I'm just disheartened.

[Blue_In_AK]

11. I like the idea of a beauty thread

[AmBlue]

13. Magnificent!

& please consider kicking this to the home page

[Blue_In_AK]

15. I'm happy to do that...

:)

[AmBlue]

19. Is that Alaska? n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

20. Yes, it is.

About 80-90 miles south of Anchorage not too far from Hope.

[AmBlue]

21. Lovely shots

...at your website.

[Blue_In_AK]

24. Thank you very much. :-)

[taterguy]

22. Bicoastal beauty

Ocracoke Island, NC



Monterey Bay, California

[Arugula Latte]

23. This is one of my favorite places on the west coast:

Ecola State Park in northern Oregon:





http://www.printcenter.org/images/artists/gallery_store/Oregon,-Ecola-State-Park-to.jpg

and just off the beach:

[AmBlue]

25. These are fantastic. Thanks!

And please k&r if you want to see more. Two more kicks for the home page.

[taterguy]

26. Strangers who became lifelong friends

I don't know anyone in this pic, just something I saw while I was in DC

[AmBlue]

29. This reminds me of when the Rs & Ds....

....after 9-11 stood out on the steps of Congress and sang America the Beautiful together.

I wish I knew how to post pics here. Maybe someone can enlighten me.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

27. Beauty, joy, love, comfort, softness, hugs, laughter, touching,...

It's all always right there, whenever we choose to see it and touch it and feel it or make it.

[AmBlue]

30. True, though around here....

lately there's only the barest sprinkling of it.

[taterguy]

31. Monday morning kick

New River State Park, southern Virginia