What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty means many things to many people: a soft, pink morning sky tinged by the rising sun, a rugged man holding his tiny daughter in his arms as he looks down at her with love in his expression…a perfect flower whose fragrance entrances.

One definition of beauty is “the combination of qualities that make something pleasing and impressive to look at, listen to, touch, smell, or taste.”

Another definition of beauty is “an advantage, attraction, benefit, asset…”

But is it? We all love to look at beauty by whatever definition, but not all beauty is good. There’s a wild beauty in a deadly hurricane, and in a rattlesnake poised to strike. There’s treacherous beauty in a physically perfect human whose soul is more villainous than heroic, and sometimes fatally attractive beauty in a poisonous flower. “Gorgeous to look at, deadly to touch” can apply in many cases.

I see the greatest beauty, though, in a man whose love for his woman or his child shines through, or in a mother’s love for her newborn baby. Beauty also shows itself to me in a fragrant orchid or brilliant amaryllis, a beloved pet or an interesting plant or animal.

What represents beauty to you? Tell me, and I’ll pick a winner from those who comment. The prize is a download of my bestselling-ever contemporary erotic romance, A MUTUAL FAVOR, where I hope you’ll discover real beauty comes from love.

Spring Has Sprung With New Beginnings

I know a lot of people who are going through transitions right now. People are getting laid off. Friends are taking the leap to go writing full time. Family things are happening, and it seems that just as soon as spring hit in most parts of the country, so too, did the change.

There's always the questions of "why now?" and of course the response of "why not?", but also if you think about this from a different point of view, it makes perfect sense. The wheel of the year is turning towards spring, and easter. For pagans, we celebrate Oestara, which falls on the Spring Equinox. This is the time when seeds are sown and new beginnings are sought. It's a new year, with a new crop ready to be harvested. Any vegetables or harvest left over from the previous year is long gone and cellars are waiting to be filled anew.

The universe wants us all to have new beginnings. Like Linus and his blanket, if we drag around our old, worn out thoughts and ideas, the things that might have happened to us over the new year, they will become dirty and weigh us down. They might even show up in ways which bring concern or teasing from others. Obviously, we want to show as much compassion as possible to others, but it is also usually pretty easy to see when people are dragging the past along with them. So now, when it's spring and we're thinking about new beginnings and new years, is the perfect time to drop all of that. And sometimes, the universe drops it all for us!

There is a lot of trust and understanding which has to go into allowing the Universe to work through us. We have to be ready to accept the new beginnings and to move forward with them. Like the birth process itself, new beginnings might not be easy, but as we move into spring, with its bounty of new lambs, baby calves, chicks, and fresh flowers, it's easy to see the beauty in new starts and new life. And that's what spring brings to us. Beginnings.

Are you having a beginning this year? Has the Universe brought you a transition? Let me know! One lucky commenter will receive a three-card tarot reading relating to their transition or beginning. Good luck!

Note: One of the beginnings that the new year has brought me is the growth of Harmonic Spirit, my reiki, tarot, coaching endeavor which strives to help people return to joyful unity in their own lives. Visit http://www.harmonicspirit.net for more information about what I offer and more tips on making the best of your new beginning!

See a Photo and Tell Me Your Tale Contest!

Okay...it's the season to be jolly...and have fun!
Contest: Win a $15.00 Godiva Chocolates gift card!
Contest ends midnight EST 20 December.


How  to enter and win?



Check out this photo.  It says, "While shopping for your Christmas present..." and GUESS WHAT? YOU have to finish the tale in just a paragraph!

So instead of leaving a comment, leave a paragraph! Be sure to put your email address in the comment box with your paragraph.

Remember: Just one paragraph to write your amusing tale about this photo!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!

Photo: Rockshots.com