Ode to Beauty

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It was a glorious day here in Los Angeles yesterday. It was clear and  bright and crisp. It felt like a perfect autumn day on the East Coast. All day long, I kept breathing the beauty of the day into my heart.

Lately, I’ve been exploring the theme of PLEASURE in my life. How can I enjoy each moment more?  How can I relax and receive? How can I appreciate the sweetness and fullness and ease of the hour?

My exploration — putting my attention on discovering something new in this area-- is succeeding. The time I spend with my husband is richer and more playful. The time I spend with my family isn’t as charged with my own inner monologue: “This is all well and good, but there’s work to be done!”  I’ve even been watching Mad Men --the first TV I’ve watched consistently since ER. (Ridiculous, I know.)

Anyway, today I had a mini revelation about the connection of pleasure and beauty. The more I surround myself with beauty and am willing to see the beauty that abounds, the more my body softens into pleasure. As long as I look at the world and see duty, angularity, lists and a ticking clock, my body freezes and stands at attention and prepares to BE RESPONSIBLE and ACCOMPLISH. When, instead, I take even a moment to breathe in something beautiful and really let that beauty move over my heart, my whole body responds with receptivity.

Imagine yourself anywhere now in the immensity of nature. (I love the Redwoods). And put yourself in the center of Nature’s abundance. And breathe. And feel your body respond with awe and pleasure and willingness to let go.

Beauty begets pleasure. Attention to beauty begets luscious embodied EASE. What is beautiful in your life? Soak it in.

Feel your “to do” list change instantaneously.

Big Fat Love to you all.