Solid Thing Of Beauty

The earth is covered in a blanket of cold white here at my little place on the water. Even the inlet of water that flows between our banks the spit in the middle of the river, is frozen. As I was walking in the field near the river, I noticed the extreme cold had stopped the snowflakes in their tracks causing them to stand at attention, sparkling shards of artistic ice that looked like little trees growing sideways from the surface of the snow drifts.

These ice crystals were larger than the average snowflake, which generally measure from .02 to .5 inches wide. Tiny. Worthless by themselves other than their odd visual beauty. But together, they created an unusual and grand sort of display with their whimsical play in light. Others in the neighborhood noticed them as well, and several photos of the phenomenon were posted on the community social media page. I was not alone in my delight.

Curious about the formations, I did a bit of research about various permutations of water/ ice/snow. While these looked quite similar to maybe a cross between rime and hoarfrost. Upon doing a bit of research I found a formation I was unfamiliar with that looked like giant versions of the crystals I observed. These are called "penitentes" named after the peaked hatted Spanish penitents that parade through the streets during Easter tide, demonstrating their penitence for sins committed against GOD. The ice penitentes are only observed in the high dry friged Andes. They can range in size from 1 inch to 16 feet, and bear in their leaning/bowing a resemblance to the crystals formed near the pond in Usk. "These jagged structures form in a process called sublimation, something similar to melting except that the sun turns the snow directly into water vapor without melting first." https://www.treehugger.com/strange-ice-formations-4863724

What struck me then, and strikes me now is how the conglomertation of MANY small things can create a whole. A movement, a "sublimation" of grandeur. Like a blanket of snow, like a field of sparkling joy, like a solid formation of ice so thick, one can step out on it.

Perhaps small acts of kindness achieve the same thing?

That cup of water you retrieved for a thirsty child. That smile you gave a complete stranger as you passed on the sidewalk. Those encouraging words you shared with a friend. That card you sent to a sick acquaintance. Do they form into a joyful thing of beauty that can make a lasting difference? Such small things. Is a change made through them?

After a conversation with a friend about the pervasive negativity in this world... I sought out relief from the sorrow I felt. I stumbled on Steve Hartman's series on Kindness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-e5Rpt8CAs

It was much like that blast of joy I got from observing the icy beauty in our field. YES! We can overcome this present darkness in our world. Collectively.... with kindness. Sincere, Loving, Kindness. Oh I can hear the naysayers from here. Such a cliche'. Sounds like a tired bad meme. The truth however is much stronger than the apathy or the pessimism. Even as little as ONE SINGLE ACT OF KINDNESS delivered every day.... will dilute the poison of a world gone mad with fury.

Smile. Love well. Do the next right thing, and we can blanket our world with a solid comforter of assured peace and well being. What have we got to lose?