November 2025 Maybe the Desire to Make Beauty

“Maybe the desire to make something beautiful is the piece of God that is inside each of us.” – Mary Oliver. Reflecting on this quote, I wonder if it isn’t just as meaningful to say, “Maybe the desire to make something beautiful is the peace of God that is inside each of us.” These uncertain and chaotic times are challenging us to maintain our inner peace. Creating or being with beauty in whatever form it takes, is a healing balm for our souls. November has been a beauty-filled month with hikes on the coast, autumn colors after rain, and an abundance of inspiring workshops. It also came with the gentle death of my family’s (almost) 99-year-old matriarch, Aunt Betsy, whose legacy is the wisdom, generosity and abundant love she showered on us all. Mary Oliver, a fellow Cape Codder, was her favorite poet.

That loss has been tempered somewhat in an Abundance and Prosperity/Reiki Healing workshop. During one of the healing meditations I had a crystal clear memory of a conversation with Aunt Betsy on a Cape Cod beach over 15 years ago. That conversation centered around my abundantly prosperous business life and her concern over my lack of a life partner. That business life is long gone and the likelihood of a “rest-of-life” partner diminishes as the years pass. At this stage of my life, abundance and prosperity comes in the form of beauty and awe in our natural world, quality time with loved ones, family and friends, creativity in all forms, good health, and a deepening connection with spirit. The workshop is helping me to see if not break, old patterns and beliefs that still linger, and most importantly to ask for and receive more of what I need. And that comes with responsibility, generosity, gratitude and grace… all of which Aunt Betsy embodied in abundance.

Weekends have been full with playdates. Last weekend I participated in a rousing Rhythm in Ritual workshop with the very talented Amber Hines through Big Mesa Healing Sanctuary. The sacred and playful drumming, singing and movement created by our circle, invigorated my body and soul. To say that my inner child was ecstatic may be an understatement. I’m still grinning ear-to-ear!! This coming weekend I have playdates with friends in the city both days. I feel so blessed. How does abundance show up in your life?

Click on any image for larger view. 

Teaching people to see, and sharing beauty-as-medicine is my soul mission. Practicing Zen contemplative seeing, or visio divina, can be a portal to The Divine. Try it with any one of the photos above. Click on one that speaks to you for a larger view and spend time looking and feeling deeply into it. Notice what comes up without judgement. What felt senses, emotions, memories or flashes of wisdom arise? Try just 5 minutes – then 10. I was honored to share my Beauty-as-Medicine photo cards below, leading folks from the Marin Interfaith Council and the Fairfax Community Church in guided meditations this month. Thank you!!! More, please…✨🙏🏻

Beauty-as-Medicine™ photo card decks – order in time for the holiday
Printed on deluxe 6×9 sturdy postcard stock with velvet finish, they feel lovely in the hand and are large enough to practice visual meditation and psycho-spiritual inquiry. An instruction card with prompts comes with each set. Email me if you’d like to experience Beauty-as-Medicine™ healing photography with me, or to order your own set of photo cards. $108 for each set, or $200 for both, shipped directly to you from the printer.

2026 Retreats Dates (contact me for more information)
Sisters of Upasana – May 27 – 31  *Full
Coming Closer to the Divine Through the Elements – July 30 – Aug 2
TBD for Sonoma Ashram Sangha members – September 24 – 27

Love, Grief and Gratitude
The upcoming holidays are meant to be filled with good friends, good food and good cheer. For many, our upside-down world makes that challenging, even more so if you’re experiencing loss of any kind. Give yourself permission to invite grief to the table. It is said that “grief is love with no place to go.” Without love, there can be no grief. I give thanks for all the human and more-than-human beings in my life who make it so rich. I give thanks for the comfort of just enough, and the privilege I hold. I give thanks knowing this is all illusory and impermanent. May love and gratitude fill your holiday.

None of this post was written with AI, as you can probably tell by my over use of commas. My photography is also original. Thank you to everyone reading my musings. Feel free to send me comments and to share.  Also, if you, or anyone you know, are in need of a spiritual guide, end-of-life doula, wedding or memorial officiant, please reach out.

Peace, love and blessings,
Rev. Lisa

Spiritual Guide. Wise Woman.
Contemplative Photographer. Mystic.
Beauty-as-Medicine™ workshop creator.

Free Photos at Pexels
Spirit-Infused Healing Photography Books at Blurb
“Photography is my love language. Teaching people to see Beauty-as-Medicine™ is my Ministry.” Rev. Lisa