Last week, I joined Parkview’s photo club to take pictures of the lotus flowers at the Anne Rudin Peace Pond in William Land Park. I had no idea that these are some of the best lotuses in all of California. When we were there, a group of people had come all the way from San Jose to take photos, and I cannot begin to tell you how many long-range cameras were there. It was the first time I had ever gone to take photos of the flowers. All of this beauty was in my backyard, and I didn’t even know it. Life is like that sometimes. We get so busy with life, that we forget to look for the simple beauty that is bursting all around us – everyday – whether we show up or not. Mother Nature is putting on a spectacular show giving us this beautiful gift, and it’s up to us to take the time to slow down and sleuth for beauty.

I am reminded of Jesus’ words:

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Matthew 6:28

If you get the chance, go some more morning to William Land Park to “consider the lotuses of the Peace Pond.”  You will be glad that you did!  Above is a photo I took just yesterday; no filters, no altering (only cropped to fit the web page), just pure beauty.