Momma Told Me: We're All Worth A Second Look- Encouraging Words For Well-Being

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We're All Worth A Second Look- Encouraging Words For Well-Being

leaf bug
Momma Told Me: Never let your spots completely engulf you.

Just the other day I was traipsing through the backyard releasing defeated sighs among clumsy footsteps. My new heels were sinking into the soft soil and the wind would not communicate with the sunlight for my photo shoot. With nearly 200 shots on my SD card already I wandered over to the less used tree; the skinny one with few branches and a light sway.

I was about to put the heel of my palm up against the trunk when something caught my eye.

A funny little leaf growing out of the middle of the tree. I didn't think anything of it in that instant, but something kept my hand from hitting the bark. I paused, arm mid swing, and did a double take at the odd little leaf protruding from the bark. A good gust rolled through and the green speck swayed back and forth, yet did not release. I began to question what I was looking at.
leaf bug
As my by brown spectacled eyes grew wider, and closer, the leaf scampered up the tree. I blinked twice.

Had that leaf just moved?

Now I had lost all objective of my mission in the backyard, or concern for my increasingly muddy heels. I gingerly placed a hand above the magical leaf, leaning in and holding my breath. One blink, two blinks, three blinks, scamper. It moved again!

Now, I had seen creatures that camouflaged to fit into their environments before, but there was something almost poetic about this tiny little bug. Here this creature had adapted to survive in it's natural environment, and more than passably so if you ask me, but up close it was truly a beautiful work of art. The front of it's body was short and wide, stubby, like a folded leaf. The tip of it was slightly colored a rusty hue that faded back into green, like an aging plant. And it's many tiny little legs were almost translucent, like little tendrils or stems that might anchor a real leaf to it's base.
leaf bug
Here I was, lamenting about getting the 'perfect shot,' and not looking too this or that on camera, when this little guy was simply scurrying about it's life hoping to blend in. I connected. Something inside me was profoundly touched, staring up at that tiny little leaf creature. We all try to blend in, to conform, to some degree. Whether it's a dress code in the work place, buying eco-friendly groceries, or choosing that Labrador over the squeaky little chihuahua you really wanted. We make compromises every day in an attempt to balance who we really are with what is really best for us and those we love.

But, this week, I was reminded; no matter the layers we meticulously build on the outside, we are all equally beautiful and unique on the inside. May our clever disguises move us through life unharmed by those who would wish otherwise, and the vast intricacies make us exceptionally beautiful to those who stop to take the second glance and really look.

What Daughter Says: We all blend to adapt, but one of the biggest pleasures is beauty that shines when you stop to let the light in.

12 comments:

  1. So beautiful, Eloquent and insightful! I just love your stories! And so true! We all put up layers for survival, but it's when we get passed those layers that we discover such beauty within each other and ourselves.

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  2. Wonderful wisdom. I always love ow such small tings can give us pause and make us think.

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  3. I am so glad you didn't kill that little bug. What are they? Katydids? I think that's what we call them around here. I often wonder what goes through other creatures minds, too. Nice post. Very insightful. :)

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  4. What a great way to look at life!

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  5. I'm often amazed at what I see, hear and feel when I stop and breath deep and get over myself and the current turbulent events going on in my life at the time. If your like me you learned a lot more from the little creature than you would have over a successful photo shoot without any mishaps occurring. I always enjoy your thoughts and perspectives Jenna. Thanks for sharing them.

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  6. What a lovely post. And so very true; I've learned to slow down since I got sick. Unless it's canning season :)

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  7. What a great post! I agree! We are all worth a second look. Thanks for these awesome and inspiring words today!

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  8. Well, I am profoundly touched by your post. You are truly eloquent in your writing and your photos.

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  9. There are lots of interesting creatures here in our surrounding as well and it's nice to stop and observe them once in a while.

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  10. beautiful photos and poetic description

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  11. This post reminds me of one of my favorite Bible verses:
    "...The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
    New International Version (NIV)

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