A Beautiful Mind
“Like a diet of the mind, I just choose not to indulge certain appetites… I think that’s what it’s like with all our dreams and our nightmares…we’ve got to keep feeding them for them to stay alive.” ~ John Forbes Nash Jr. (Nobel Memorial Prize winner)
There is something always magical about the first snow of the season. The newness. The promise of change. After ten years in Finland, I still feel an instant enchantment mingled with an unexplainable deep satisfaction each time the skies release a swirl of light, dreamy snowflakes.
Last week, it snowed. While the ground was yet thick with the papery, golden leaves of autumn. And rowan berries still glistened on their bare trees. We walked outside to a breathless billow of soft fresh flakes falling lightly on our hair and noses. Little children walked with their faces upturned to the dark morning sky trying to catch the fresh icy-cold pin pricks on their tongues.
Everything looked transformed under the light dusting of pristine snow settling over the familiar landscape and terrain around me. Everything looked so cleansed. So beautiful. Almost unrecognisable. Just by a night’s worth of new snow.
And in that moment, I was struck by how similarly the landscape of our minds is also transformed and sculpted by the thoughts that settle upon it. Oftentimes unbidden. Many times unnoticed.
What is settling on the landscape of our minds today?
If thoughts were snowflakes, then may bright and beautiful thoughts fall gently down upon you.
And a sprinkle more of loveliness to make your heart warm and full of gratitude.
May you have thoughts that are kind.
And give you peace and quiet strength.
I wish you thoughts to make you skip a little and laugh a whole lot more…
Most of all, I wish you the beauty of a quiet mind. Let it snow.
“Whatever is true,
Whatever is noble,
Whatever is honorable,
Whatever is just,
Whatever is pure,
Whatever is lovely,
Whatever is admirable
- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,
Think about such things.”
~ Phillipians 4:8
Gorgeous!
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! Hugs, Sharon
just beautiful…:-)…
Thank you so much Sriram. Always happy to hear from you. Blessings to you! Sharon
Stunning photos with beautiful words that touched my heart. Bless you.
Dear Lizzie, that means so much to me. Blessings for a new day. Sharon
6:05 am in New England USA… I begin the day with your beautiful thoughts.. a huge gift.. the best kind of first snow we could possibly get here in New England! Thank you Sharon!!
It just warmed my heart to receive this abundant feedback from you Carolina! I am touched to know that this post was a blessing to you in New England first thing in the morning. Thank you for making my morning so special too. Hugs and fresh snow for a brand new day!
Sharon
Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
My dear Laurie, it is a pleasure to receive these wonderful words from you today. I wish you a beautiful day. Hugs, Sharon
This was the first article I’ve read this morning. What a fantastic way to start the day. Beautiful. Thank you so much.
Doug
Dear Doug,
Oh what a wonderful pleasure to hear from you! It means so much to me to know that this post blessed your heart. May today bring you a quiet beauty and all the loveliness for a beautiful state of mind. Sharon
Beautiful Sharon. Thank you so much! Your words and photos are really lovely – I wish you all those delightful things back!
Oh thank you so very much my dear Cathy! To the loveliness of a brand new day and may we have beauty within our very souls. Hugs, Sharon
Enjoyed your photography and writing about the magic of the first snow of the season.
Thank you so much Mary for your very kind words and a warm welcome here! I look forward to getting to know you. Wishing you beautiful moments today. Sharon
Beautiful photography and lovely prose
Dear Makagutu,
I appreciate your kind comments so very much. I am learning a little more about you through your very interesting blog. Thank you for your visits. I appreciate them very much. Wishing you a beautiful day. Sharon
Ah Sharon, what beautiful and kind words you say
I love your blog and the photos. To say my blog is beautiful has left me blushing 
and we get to know each other slowly!
What a beautiful world, the blogging world is
I simply LOVE your blog! Such poetic language together with the visual delights of your photography; my heart throbs with the beauty of it!
My dearest Jory!
It’s sunshine and rainbow all at once! Thank you so much for coming by here and sending me so much love. I wish you so much love and moments of beautiful miracles today…Sharon
Oh what joy to see you here!!! (dancing and doing the twist!!)
Love your post! xo Joanne
Dear Joanne,
So lovely to hear from you and I am glad this post reached out to you today. Blessings and hugs, Sharon (p.s. I am unable to click on your name link to your blog.)
I’ll have to check that out….thanks!
Sharon, I checked out my profile and there are links to my various websites on my Gravatar profile if you scroll down just a bit. I wanted to personally email you but could not find your email address (I was reluctant to put this on your blog!). I’m not sure what else I can do but if you have any suggestions, I am open to them. My email is posted on my Gravatar. Many thanks, Joanne
It works perfectly now Joanne! Now I’m able to click on your name KatherinesDaughter and it directs me to your blog. I always mention this so that others can also have easy access to your blog from mine. Thanks and I’ll be over in a jiffy! Hugs, Sharon
It’s early that you have snow compare to our place. The combination between snow and the yellow leaves are beautiful. I also wish beautiful mind.
Hello Masa!
Yes, we had very early snow this year! And it stayed beautifully white for some time so I was able to take the snow on autumn leaves. But in Helsinki, the snow has all melted away now. Thank you so much for your kind wishes. A peaceful and quiet mind is a beautiful mind. Many warm wishes to your family! Sharon
Thank you for such beautiful thoughts and photos to match
My dear Elizabeth,
A beautiful pleasure to have you here. Thank you for your kind spirit. I wish you soothing, restoring thoughts and all the loveliness of a brand new day! Much love, Sharon
And Sharon may you know beauty every second of every day!
On this important day of another presidential election in the US, your message is well timed. Thank you! We just get cold (27F here this AM) and brown here in Virginia, never the wonderful mix of colorful leaves and snow together. Lucky you!
My dearest Diane!
First off, I want to thank you for your lovely email which I received last week. It means so much to hear from you.
Thank you so much for this beautiful blessing you just sent me. I embrace it fully! This year we just had a very early snowfall which made it dazzling! Thinking of you and sending you the beauty of a tranquil mind. With so much love, Sharon
one of my favourite verses from the bible and you led up to it beautifully. Truly what we spend time thinking about impacts every cell of our body and every moment of our day.
My dear Joss!
How absolutely true! The power of our thoughts and how we perceive reality and our lives from a single thought. Thank you for touching on the core of this post. I love this bible verse too. The clarity and truth of each word is so grounded and solid. I wish you a beautiful day. Hugs, Sharon
thank you. This post has inspired me to create a poster for my study based on that verse. blessings to you.
What magnificent photos, Sharon and such beautiful wishes! Thank you for blessing us with the abundance flowing from your heart. You are truly making a difference in the world my friend and I am grateful for your example.
Wishing you also a pure, gentle, compassionate and beautiful mind.
Blessings!
Thank you so much my dear Valerie for so much kindness I have received from you. I especially appreciate your wonderful wishes for a beautiful mind which is the essence of purity, gentleness and compassion. You know life has been so good to me – just knowing there is someone like you out there with the same wishes for the world! With love, Sharon
Beautiful post, Sharon…I’m sick with a cold so your image were refreshing and soothing first thing in the morning here…xomeryl
Oh Meryl, I hope you get better soon. So much has been happening right at your doorstep. I am glad this post brought some peace and soothing in the morning to you. Wishing you many beautiful moments today and serenity to soak it all in. Many hugs, Sharon
Thanks for these wonderful pictures from my country of birth! Planning to visit in the next 3 weeks and hoping for snow! Hugs & blessings from FL
Dear Tiny!!
I really hope you get some snow when you arrive – it will certainly brighten up November when the days start to get shorter and shorter. Which part of Finland will you be travelling to? Keep me posted! Hugs, Sharon
I had no idea you had Finnish roots!! Welcome to Finland! Tervetuloa!
Kiitos! I’ll be coming to just north of Tampere where my dad still lives – a quick visit to just see him. I’m hoping snow too! Just found a wonderful summer picture from “our forest” there that I will use for my next poem….Halauksia, Tiny
Oh Tiny! I believe you probably speak better Finnish than I do! And great spelling too! I look forward to your next post then! Halauksia! Sharon
Beautiful post!
Thank you so much Pat! Wishing you a lovely, quiet day filled with furry and feathered visitors who bring so much delight to you and to us! Hugs, Sharon
How lovely to see and feel the first snow of winter. I can’t forget one winter when we’d just got done performing at a cathedral, and walking home it began to snow. How lovely. This also brings memory of my trip to Korea, and how my children reacted to see fresh snow fall from above…the laughter, the excitement, the lifting of hands to catch some…:)
Martha
My dearest Martha!
or that you are getting so much better already!!! Either way, it’s good! 
I believe I am still like your girls reacting to snow! Everytime, it’s like new. Everytime it’s like the first time I’m seeing snow. I’m very easy to pleased one! Thank you so much for writing and leaving me such lovely, thoughtful notes. Thanks for the link to your blog. I will keep in touch with you from here. Keep tabs on you and hope you are still taking it easy!
I am soooo happy to see you here!! That must mean either my post was so terrific
Take care my friend. I wish you quiet, silent moments – the most beautiful moments of all. Love, Sharon
Gorgeous photos, thoughts, and verse! Thank you so much. ~ Lily
Dear Lily,
How very good of you to come by and thank you so much for your lovely comment. I am glad you liked this post. I look forward to getting to know you and blessings for a new day. Sharon
You write so beautifully and it was like walking with you reading this. You made me stop and rest with your message and with this cold I’m fighting — I needed to do that! Big hug to you Sharon! I miss snow!
Dear Saymber!
I am glad you found this post restful. I wish for you beautiful quiet moments and sweet thoughts. Hugs back, Sharon
I hope you are feeling much better today. You have some pretty good reasons to celebrate
A beautiful post Sharon. I haven’t seen snow in 20 years since we’ve moved around in different hot countries! Your wonderful poetic description brought back all those winter time joys. Thank you so much.
Dear Yaz,
Oh hot countries in the last 20 years sounds simply exotic and delightful especially this time of the year when we’re all bundled up! Where are you now and where have you been living? Thank you for coming by and I wish you blessings for a mind as beautiful as a quiet, winter morning. Hugs, Sharon
Thank you for the beautiful blessing. I wish the same back to you.
My dearest Brenda,
Thank you so much…the beauty of a quiet mind is a beautiful gift indeed. With love, Sharon
Thank you for these gorgeous photographs and your seamlessly matching reflection, Sharon: How lovely! I can’t wait for our first snow, but until it comes, I have your post to enter and enjoy. Nash gained such profound and sensitive wisdom from his life suffering. Thank you for reminding about him and marrying his thoughts to your own deep wisdom, Sharon.
My dearest Catherine!
I am so glad you brought up Nash because this post was inspired by his life and how he battled with schizophrenia. And his words I thought was worth dedicating an entire post to. What we choose to feed our minds on ultimately becomes our reality.
I was meditating on this one morning as we had our first snow. It brings much warm gratification to me when my readers understand the deepest core of my message as I attempt to communicate and craft thoughts into words
It was a challenge for me to play with the delicate balance between the ponderings and workings of the mind which can be quite a serious, weighty subject while drawing on the light notes of keeping it focused on what is true and what is beautiful.
Thank you for your keen perception. It is an encouragement to me! Hugs, Sharon
Gorgeous!!!
Dear Claudia,
Coming from you, that means so much!! Hugs to you and thinking of you! Sharon
Always, always lovely. Scanned my Reader and found some fine pieces of writing, but I intentionally skipped over A Leaf in Springtime, saving it for last. Actually, as I just wrote that, it occurred to me that this is a most interesting post from a leaf in springtime…
Dear Chris,
I wanted to tackle a heavy topic concerning the mind and the practice of mindfulness in a more subtle form while keeping the balance of light, peace, joy and the power to choose. I’m not sure if I succeeded 
I do believe you managed to tap into the crux of this post
Grappling with the nuances and the art of writing is still something I am working on. How to strike the ultimate balance between writing from my heart issues which matter to me without the heaviness or foreboding intensity remains a challenge.
Thank you so much for understanding between the lines. I appreciate it so much. A brand new day to you! Sharon
Such beautiful photographs to go with such beautiful words.
Thank you so much. I am touched by your kindness. Wishing you beautiful moments today and much love to all at home! Hugs, Sharon
This is such a beautiful post. Between prose and photos, The two seasons joining together artfully is so wonderfully shown.
Dear Emily,
It is so wonderful to hear from you. I am so glad to know you enjoyed this post and the wonder of our changing seasons. I wish you lovely moments today and thank you for blessing me with your memorable post on Hands. What a beautiful reminder that we can do so much good with our hands. Hugs, Sharon
Really lovely, Sharon
I too love the first snow. There is something soft, magical and transcendent about the experience of it. Like your blessings suggest even though it is so soft and quiet, you can feel it and hear it. Thank you for your blessings.
Blessings to you, Erin
My dear Erin,
Thank you for this lovely message. I am touched to know you received this blessing of beauty, silence and calm. I look forward to your next post. Many hugs, Sharon
Beautiful post Shaz. Just love the photos. I too love the snow and like you say there is something magical about the first snowfall. Enjoy. No snow as of yet of my part of the world. It rained and rained today. hugs.. Renee
My dearest Sunshine!
And when it snows, think of me ok? May it always be beautiful, lovely, sweet and happy falling down upon you. With love, Shaz
I wish you lots of snow where you are!
Simply wonderful, through-and-through… And such a fantastic reminder for us all.
Dear FeyGirl!
Hugs, Sharon
So good to hear from you! I hope you are doing great! Thank you so much for this message – it made me happy!
What a very beautiful post, in pictures and in your beautifully expressed thoughts. I envy you your snow -we so rarely get any in Cornwall and I remember the hush it brings and the magic it evokes. Thank you for this so lovely post. Hugs to you, Sally
My dearest Sally!!!
You are back from your whirlwind holiday in India and Nepal!! Oh, how much I have enjoyed your journey with you. I am sure the memories of this trip will last a lifetime. I am glad to know that I could welcome you back to this side of the world with this post and wish you the hush of first snow withing your heart. So much hugs back, Sharon
Sharon,
As I read this, I simply exhaled a love Aaaaahhh. The dusting of snow is a favorite sight for me and I always love your photography. Thanks for the inspiration today!
Cathy
Always so good to hear from you Cathy! It made me smile to know that I could send you a sweet moment of love…Hugs, Sharon
Dear Sharon,
Thank you for this interlude, this luminous delight, this still perfection. I almost look to our skies hoping it will snow.
Ever fondly, Vivian
My dear Vivian,
I often look to the natural world to teach me about life in the spiritual world. And so often, there are so many parallel truths and lessons to learn. I am glad to know you liked this post and may the thoughts that abide with you be like the luminosity of pure first snow falling. Thinking of you, Sharon
Trying to be as enthusiastic as you, Sharon. That is, I see the beauty (especially in your photos), but I didn’t want to feel so cold yet. Have to make the fire burning more often…
Haha Bente! This is my way of coping with November!!
I don’t mind the cold so much as the growing darkness. I hope it’s sunny and beautiful where you are today. That fire sounds good. Thank you so much for coming by. Sharon
Your photos and good wishes are just lovely, as always, Sharon. Thank you for them both. We are about to get our first snowfall in a few hours and into the overnight, but unfortunately, this snow is part of a nor`easter. I am hoping that, tomorrow, I will be able to see the magic in it and very little destruction to our beleaguered state and surrounding areas. I will take your kind wishes in through my heart and send them along with my own out to the many who need a gentle snowfall and light and warmth in their homes.
Jeanne
You are so kind in your thoughts Jeanne. Yes, send out pure, gentle wishes of goodwill to the world and those who need them at this time of rebuilding and restoring their lives. It has been lovely knowing that you have enjoyed this post which I sent with a lot of love from my heart. Hugs, Sharon
I’m gonna truly enjoy reading you. All the words you choose sound like a melody into my head and the pictures make me feel instant love.
You are incredibly sweet and you make me smile! I am so glad to know that you could feel the love because this post was made with much love. You have a beautiful day and I look forward to getting to know you! Hugs, Sharon
Ah, beautiful photos and essay, Sharon. You are so talented.
Dear Imelda,
Your words touched me. Thank you so much. I wish you a beautiful day and weekend! And a wonderful Sunday to recharge too! Hugs, Sharon
You have such a way with words. Simply beautiful.
Hello Mariah,
How’s the training going? I wish you speed and endurance! Thank you so much for leaving me this note. I appreciate it. I wish you and your family blessings like the first snowfall. Happy Weekend! Sharon
Lovely words and photos from a beautiful heart!
ps I also look forward to our first snowfall..
Dear Roberta,
When I was writing this post, I just felt a love which I wanted to send out to my readers and to the world. I am happy if you felt that. I wish you a beautiful day. Sharon
Beautiful post!
We just had our first snowstorm, and as much as I don’t like snow, it was a delight to look outside and see that first huge blanket of white covering everything in front of me…
Love the pictures of the colourful autumn leaves together with the snow – beautiful combination Sharon. Lovely post too. Have a very happy weekend.
Hugs
Sharon,
I have been “away.” But this weekend I am back to my heart’s work- writing. But before I begin writing again, I wanted to come revisit the great writers and artists I have connected with these past few months, which brought me here.
I am at a loss for the words to describe my experience of reading this post. It exists beyond my capacity for compliment or description. Really. Your honesty and openness shines through and yet there is an artistry in the words that leaves me breathless. You are such a writer.
I am so glad to be back.
Tom
Oh Tom!
You made me so incredibly happy that I was hugging your words close to my heart for the whole day! If you could read my thoughts, I have sent you a hundred thank you notes…trying to find the words to express my thank you for your kind, thoughtful and immeasurably generous spirit.
I so much look forward to delving into your heart’s work once again. Your writing lingers on long after the last word has been read.
It is indeed so good to have you back. Sharon
I love this post. Beautiful photos and thoughts.
Lovely Sharon, this is amazing. Thank you so very deeply for sharing your beautiful spirit with us all here. For sharing your love for the world. For sharing your gift of writing. I love all of it, and this really struck a note: “the landscape of our minds is also transformed and sculpted by the thoughts that settle upon it”
Every one of your posts makes me feel incredibly blessed. How can I find the words to thank you enough? You are a blessing.
Love, Gina
Hi Sharon,
This is my first time here. What lovely photographs! They actually dance in the moment with your post. So transformational, thank you!
Shakti
Fantastic post, beautiful photographs, thoughtful poem
Wow, the snow looks so gentle and soft. Beautiful photos and post, Sharon!
Thanks so much Lee! When I took these, I remembered your gorgeous photos of first snow and how thick it had fallen in your part of the world! The snow’s all melted and gone away now. It’s just grey and more grey
Let it snow!
Such beauty in words, thoughts, and images, is magnified and multipled when combined.
Thank you, Sharon!
Russ
Dear Russ,
Thank you so much! You have been so good to me and it has been a real pleasure and honour knowing you.
By the way, your blog was one of the first that came to mind when I compiled my latest post. I had wanted to share your blog and the heart of a grateful man for a very long time to everyone.
Please accept my apologies that the link to your blog was somehow missing in the process of rearranging the sequence. Just wanted to let you know, it has now been properly reinstated.
Thank you. And Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Sharon
Sharon ✿, Indeed! With pictures of cold season, you brought warmth to my heart too.
Hugs, ♥ Fae.
Lovely…
Beautiful shots. I had my first snowfall of the year a couple weeks ago, and it was magical as usual. I remember as a kid just sitting in the cold night, looking up at a streetlight, trying to will it to snow. And it was, I admit, an often vain hope to skip school next day and go sledding instead! Waking in the morning and looking out a window to a brand new white world is one of life’s most rewarding feelings.
Thank you so much for sharing with me a wonderful memory from your childhood. It was most vivid and heartwarming for me to imagine a little young heart willing with all its might for snow to fall
So very lovely to hear from you. Always such a pleasure. To first snows and all the wonder it brings. Sharon
Beautiful words Sharon! The first snowfall always sends me into a cleaning frenzy, everything outside appears so clean, fresh and light I want to create that feeling indoors too! Hugs!