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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Well said Mary, it’s all so heartbreaking. It feels like every year the violence gets worse, and it’s really scary as a parent. I find myself feeling anxious even doing normal things like dropping the kids off at school, going to an event, or just shopping… I catch myself looking for the exits “just in case.” It’s deeply troubling to me that my 12 y/o step-daughter will be doing another active shooter drill at school next week.
I do believe we can figure this out. Other countries with similar resources and freedoms have faced these same challenges and have found ways to reduce this kind of violence. I hope we can learn from them so this doesn’t become our norm or way of life. I have to believe there’s hope for change, and that if enough of us keep working toward it, we can create a safer, brighter future for our kids and grandkids.
I really love what you wrote here… it’s such a good reminder to keep looking for beauty and connection, even when the world feels so heavy and scary. Hug your loved ones tight. ❤️
Michele, thank you for your feedback. Coming from a health care professional, you know how important connections and relationships are to maintaining good mental health. We need to reach out and help those who are troubled. Sometimes it only takes a kind word or a warm hug.
Thanks for having the courage to address the horror from this week! God bless you and your family and be safe. RIP CK!
Mike, thank you for your comment. We all should abhor any attacks on anyone for expressing their faith or opinions. This is a non-partisan issue that should concern everyone. The 1st Amendment is why our country is so great. All the other vicious attacks recently cast dark clouds over our country and our hearts. God bless you too.
Nancy, the beach is such a therapeutic place to be. Thank you for your heartfelt comments too.
We are fortunate to be here at the beach escaping the AZ heat and the beach is my happy place, my peaceful place and it to a soothing balm these last few days. Thank you Mary, for your beautiful words and let us all strive to be more understanding, less judgmental.
Prayers for all who are experiencing such sadness… I to remember the Kennedy Assassination… and how afraid I was….. I have felt off kilter all week… some calmness came as I heard our priest speak in his sermon today….i hope all can find peace even in this crazy world….Teresa
Teresa, hoping we all get some solace and hope soon. I am so glad your priest had words of comfort. Thanks you.
Mary, thank you for sharing this beautiful reminder that love, caring and compassion are so important in these times of turmoil. I read this with tearful eyes but with hope in my heart that we can all be mindful of spreading this message. Beauty and calm surround us every day in nature, friends and family if we just listen. Your blog is so relevant and meaningful after a difficult past few days. Thank you!
Meloday, thank you for taking the time to share your poignant words. I know I am going to try to be more thoughtful and caring. We all need to step up and be our best. Love to you and Sam.
Beautiful post, Mary. I just try to remember that history runs in cycles, and things will turn around. But I still worry for my children and grandchildren. The world we are leaving them is so much more complicated than the one we inherited. Blessings to you and your family.
Amen, my friend! Love you!
So well said, Mary, you’ve brightened my day. Sending you peace and love.
Mary
Thank you for sharing your words of kindness and compassion for others. My post after the recent situations is “Choose LOVE not hate!” It’s a different USA from which I grew up. Yes I had some negative experiences while growing up but as time moved on things became more manageable. Unfortunately we are in the midst of challenging times that have an impact on everyone.
We all need to pray, show more love and respect for each other as well as stand together for a better USA. Mental health issues are real and need genuine attention. Guns, knives and other weapons are not the answer and nationwide reform is an urgent priority. City, state and national leadership need unite and stand tall as a united front for its citizens safety.
Again thank you Mary for blessing to many and person of faith.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sending hearts back to you.
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.
Harriet, your mother is a wise woman and I choose the power of love over hate, any day of the week. Some people have lost their way.
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.
Theresa, I completely with your sentiment about praying and showing God’s love to all. Our country has endured so much in such a short period of time~hurricanes, fires, floods, senseless deaths, and pure evil. The weight of it is so heavy and we need to find the strength to stand up tall and continue on. Thank you for taking the time to comment today. I really appreciate it.
Elle, I completely agree!
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.
Katherine, thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments. The “loved” charm is actually a bracelet and I purchased two other charms, “Joy” and “Peace”. It is from Holland and Branch and here’s the link (https://hollandandbirch.com/collections/bracelets/products/second-story-bracelet-1). They have other words to choose from too. Wishing you a peaceful, love-filled weekend. I know I need to seek solace and calm to help settle my soul.
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.