Saturday Meanderings: Seeking Beauty — And Each Other — in a Troubled World
This week has been a hard one. My heart feels heavy—weighted by headlines of extreme violence and the poignant remembrances of 9/11. These moments pull me back to my own memories of turbulent times. Having lived through the 1960s, I can still see those haunting images from Life magazine—the still frame of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination burned forever into my mind.
Now, with cameras everywhere, every act of hatred or brutality is recorded and broadcast, replayed until it reaches inside of us. I don’t believe we were ever meant to carry this constant stream of anguish. It changes us, quietly and deeply. And I find myself asking: How did we get here? How did hatred find such fertile ground?
Yet even in weeks like this, I remind myself of why I began Life at Bella Terra—to notice and honor beauty, especially when the world feels fractured. A gentle sunrise over the mountains, a dinner table set with care, providing a kind word or a bowl of chicken soup to a friend in need—these small, steady acts are not trivial. They are gestures that say: you matter.
We need to be better. We need to wrap our arms around each other. I do not care if we have different opinions, different skin color, or different religions. I care deeply about each and every one of you. Every time you share a part of your life by leaving a comment, it feels like a gift you’ve given me.
If you are experiencing lots of anxiety or anger, please seek help. Grab your family and go out into nature. Help a friend in despair. Call someone you love. We need each other. Let’s look for our commonalities and lift each other up.
So this weekend, I encourage you (and remind myself) to pause. Notice the way late summer light falls through your window. Savor a meal with someone you love. Share a kind word. These simple things—tended and repeated—soften the hard edges of the world.
With love and gratitude,
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I’m so thankful for everyone’s comments on your post Mary but thank you for being the one to start it Mary. My heart feels heavy and it will for awhile but I can only make a difference for myself by loving my neighbor and doing my best to help others where I can. My mother always spoke to us about the power of love. We certainly need this now.
Thank you for the few moments without anger and hate. It is so much easier to be kind rather than hateful.
Thank you Mary for sharing your love and peace with all of us, including complete strangers. It is very kind of you to include us in your circle of friends. We must continue to pray and show God’s love to all and hope all mankind will turn towards Him before it is too late.
Thank you Mary, sometimes I struggle to put into words what is heavy on my heart, but your words were perfect and you shared so sincerely. We too shall head to the Mountains for some much needed peace and prayer and comfort.
Dear Mary,
You have a comforting and soothing way with words that touch my heart.
Like you, the horrid and unthinkable political violence has saddened my heart to the core. It’s been difficult for me to get it out of my mind along with the other events that you mentioned that I find disturbing that happened this week. I can only hope that our country will finally put in place new gun laws and do extensive background checks on a persons mental health. Until this is done and more you can’t hope for change. Also that people that need help mentally are watched carefully by family members and guidance counselors of some sort on a daily or as needed basis.
Your shell necklace with the word, “love” stopped me, and brought me a sense of peace. Did you create that? If so it’s lovely.
Thank you for bringing a sense of calm into my Saturday morning.
Love the mountains and sunset and was it a sunrise, it’s gorgeous.
Enjoy your walk today, may you see the light of peace and calm in nature.
Beautiful words. Thank-you so much for such a lovely message, I needed this.
Lovely words, Mary. Thank you.
Mary, thank you for your beautiful message and for reminding us as we collectively mourn a beautiful young man, cut down way too young, to search for the beauty around us. I needed that!
Your posts always brings joy , especially this one today ! May peace come to us all !
What wonderful words. I have certainly found myself struggling this past week.
Thanks for your post. Especially this one.
Ann, thank you so much for taking the time to read it. We all need to be better. Have a wonderful weekend.
Beautifully said, Mary. The heartache and uncertainty we all feel is so tangible. It sits on my shoulder whispering in my ear constantly. I wish everyone could hear your words. It is so important now and always. God bless you, Miss Mary.
Janie, you are so right about it whispering in our ears constantly. This weekend, I am disconnecting from all electronics and getting outside to enjoy the beautiful mountains of Arizona. It is balm for the soul. Sending big hugs to you and Rick.
Beautifully said Mary. Your sentiment is what we are all feeling across our splintered nation. We continue to pray for our leaders, for those souls that are conflicted and angry, for our families and children, and for ourselves. So that we may all strive toward a more peaceful existence.
Pat, thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I’ve been praying and praying, crying and praying some more. We can turn this around~it takes patience, love, tolerance and getting those who struggle so much with anger some help. Have a blessed weekend.
Mary
Thank you are beautiful message.
Rachel, it warms my heart to hear from you. Sending big hugs to you and Brad. You have endured alot in the last few months and your faith and prayers from so many people is what love is all about. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Mary,
Special words from a special lady during life wrenching times. Thank you for being you.
Karleen
Wise and beautiful words, Mary. I am feeling the weight of the unspeakable violence and the loss of a true believer and patriot, a young husband and father. Like you, I don’t care what religion or color or origins a person is. For the most part, I don’t care what political beliefs a person has. I want the screaming and the divisive language to stop. What happened to, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”? May we all learn the lessons of tolerance, compassion, and civility.
Carol, between the poor girl on the train, the shooting at the church a few weeks ago, the murder of a man who just wanted to debate the issues, all the lives lost from 9/11, it’s just too much sadness, grief, anger, confusion for us to bear. I want to scream STOP from the top of my lungs. I hope our generation can fix this before I leave this planet. It takes every single one of us to practice tolerance and love. The only way it will change is one person at a time. We must. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I send big hugs to you and your family.
What a beautiful post.
Thank you for putting into words exactly what I am feeling.
Have a very happy weekend!
Laura, thank you. I hope to turn off my phone this weekend and just enjoy my family and friends and a good walk about in the mountains. Grief is so exhausting.