March, a time of beautiful, glistening snow, peaceful & quiet, a stillness of beauty as light reflects, creating diamonds shining forth, a sparkling joy to behold…

PAUSE. What? Am I talking about late March in Minnesota? 2014? I wish it were beautiful and peaceful. I think it is safe to say that most of us Minnesotans have had enough of the cold. We are ready for spring.

It was around this time some years ago when I so longed for the warmth of spring, but more so, beauty. March had reached the point in which the snow was melting, roads were wet. Mud was splashing and celebrating, for now was Mud’s time of year! Everything looked dirty. No signs of spring. No buds. Grass that did appear along edges of melting snow was brown and lifeless.

Where was the Beauty?

I decided to turn my attention to find beauty around me, despite what Mother Nature was doing. Moving beyond my judgment of the “ugly” dirt covered snow mounds and dismissing them for lack of beauty, I set my destination to explore a plowed heap of snow in the parking lot of a local shopping mall.

Perhaps by being present with “what is,” while looking with a closer eye, I’d find beauty; or at least, I’d strive to turn trash into treasure.

Details in the Snow

It is the end of a Minnesota March once again and I find myself in that same place as a few years back, longing for beauty and signs of Spring. I shall remember to look within and to appreciate what is.  Perhaps a shimmering ice crystal awaits discovery, or the joy of color peaks within view.

Looking Through to Color

It is Spring, a time of transformation.  Whether beauty is outwardly visible or still hiding within, let’s celebrate the Now and welcome with grace what is yet to be revealed and discovered!

Writing & Photography by Amy Laederach