Make something beautiful in June: beautiful ground

In 1950, Detroit, Michigan was home to the biggest car companies in the world including Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors. At the time, the “Motor City” was the fourth largest city in the U.S. after New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. But as auto companies decentralized manufacturing far and wide, Detroit’s population decreased — in 2021 it had slipped from fourth to 27th — and with that decline went the city’s tax base.

Not only did car manufacturing leave, but so did all the tax-paying businesses that support a vibrant working community, including food stores, banks, Read More

Make something beautiful in June: the Survivor Tree story

“Hope” is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops – at all.
— Emily Dickinson

 

On the lookout for stories of people who’ve made something beautiful, I came across The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall (of course I bought it!).

In this wonderful book about hope and the human spirit, the world-renowned primatologist and anthropologist recounts a 9/11 story that didn’t make the headlines. A month after the tragedy, a cleanup worker, Rebecca Clough came upon the singed remains of a Callery pear tree at the site. What was left of the tree was crushed between two blocks

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Make something beautiful in June: Week 2

What kind of creativity brings you joy? Gardening, cooking, drawing, writing? Maybe it’s baking or woodworking. There is something, beautiful someone. And you know what? Maybe it isn’t a traditional creative pursuit. Making something beautiful doesn’t necessarily mean creating art or having a unique idea.

Maybe you lose yourself solving a problem at work. Or resolving a dispute between two people in your chosen family. Making a difference in your community is creating beauty. So is trying a new, out-of-the-box solution to a annoying problem. Or encouraging someone who’s feeling despair…all these and more create beauty in the world.

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Make something beautiful in June

“And since all this loveliness cannot be Heaven,
I know in my heart it is June.”

– Abba Woolson

June comes bearing many gifts. Here in the northeast, it’s finally sunny and warm again. Roses and peonies are blooming and strawberries are ripening. We’re planning vacations and sitting poolside.

Surrounded by this gorgeous bounty, I hope we’re inspired to create something beautiful ourselves.

Maybe we plant a single rosebush. Or an entire garden.

Cook a beautiful meal for people we love with unique dishes–in colors, textures, and tastes we’ve never tried before.

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Introducing: Keep Cool in Hot Situations…at Work!

Please enjoy this excerpt from my next Blossie @work book:
Keep Cool in Hot Situations…at Work! Coming this July(-ish) 😊!

headphonesNo time to read? Listen here!

On a warm, sunny morning, you drive to work, listening to your favorite music and thinking about the day ahead. Feeling focused and positive, you arrive at your job and settle in, sipping your coffee and planning the morning.

Then the phone rings, or you read your email, or someone stops by, and suddenly things take a radical turn.

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