Sometimes we need to be reminded that the vastness of our universe ‘way out there,’ is equaled to the vastness of the microscopic and submicroscopic universe inside of our bodies and in nature all around.

While rocket ships and electron microscopes are usually not available to most, I wonder if you have had the chance to observe the Milky Way unfettered by the glow of man-made illumination? That experience is on my bucket list – right next to seeing the Aurora Borealis.

One thing we all can do is take a free trip up close into the world of flowers. As close as you can get. Go ahead – grab the magnifying glass, I’ll wait.

Be it the tiniest flowering weed, an orchid, or a giant hibiscus, there’s lots to be appreciated.

Taking just a few minutes to really examine a flower can set you on a mini sight-seeing vacation.

It’s free.

No bags to pack.

Magnifying glass is optional but will double your wonder.

Watching the colorful flowers on my okra plants last year, as they morphed into ridged, fuzzy pods of okra, was a fascination that drew me in daily and reminded me of a butterfly coming out of its chrysalis – only in reverse. Flower becomes okra.

Gathering a fresh harvest of basil from the back porch herb garden, I was struck by the intricacy of the blooms that had formed on the purple basil stems. The closer I looked, the more amazed I became. Changing the angle of my observation increased the fascination and astonishment I felt at the intricacy and beauty of these tiny gems.

The seed of a post about being mindful of the small beauties around us was planted – only to be watered and fertilized by a Facebook post of a dear photographer friend, Elaine Varley, of a sunflower bud. Wow! With Elaine’s permission, I am sharing her photograph.

As you seek a few moments of calm today, go on vacation. Visit a flower nearby. Look. Really look. Up close. Let the patterns reveal themselves to you. Discover intricacies you hadn’t noticed before. Be prepared to be amazed.

Take those moments of splendor to color your day, your approach to others, to a difficult situation, or to share with another.

Enjoy your vacation-

Deidre

More of Elaine’s photography can be seen here: www.elainevarley.zenfolio.com. Our elusive share button is back, so please share this article with someone who would appreciate some inspiration.

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*whisper*

Hey … Hey … You … Down here….

From the editor: (With half of head of hair left): If the SHARE button still doesn’t work – it’s proving to be cantankerous – send all complaints to the boss, deidre@toolkitsforhealth.com.

Don’t worry, I’ll be the first one to hear about it. But I will be in hiding. Shhhhhh!

Thanks!