After writing this post about Snowflakes, I got to thinking about more complex and thought-provoking things. Like, the fact that no two individuals are exactly alike. We each have our own strengths and our own weaknesses. Acknowledge these differences. It is okay to reflect on what makes you different, whether it be good or bad. While it is fine to reflect and change things about yourself, remember, it is also not a good thing to ever judge a person based on their differences. You have no idea what is going on in another’s person’s life, the battles he or she may be facing (or not).  You may be smiling and happy and the person next to you may have their face all scrunched up in a frown. Instead of thinking…”What a grump!” take a step back and realize he or she may just be having a bad day, maybe they just lost their job or worse yet, a close relative or friend.

It seems that sometimes we bring others down to our level, thinking they are exactly like we are..with the same thoughts and feelings. When in actuality, no two individuals are exactly alike. Respect others and they too, will do the same.

I wanted to share with you some images I found to be inspiring, they are of snowflakes. Yes, I said snowflakes.  In fact, let me share with you a quick story.

I spent my 32nd birthday doing one of the things I enjoy the most… Shopping!  After buying a new pair of jeans and smelling different lotions and body sprays at Bath and Body Works, I headed over to my most favorite store in the whole wide world, Barnes and Noble. Ever since I was a child, I loved books. They fascinate and inspire me. They bring a calmness over me, unlike anything else. I heart books. I really really do. Now, when I enter a bookstore, I just walk up and down the aisles, pretty much aimlessly, until something catches my eye. This day was like any other. As I was walking down one of the aisles a purple book with a snowflake on the front of it caught my eye. So, I stopped dead in my tracks and started flipping through the pages.

I was instantly amazed. The book titled “Snowflakes” by Kenneth Libbrecht was full of breathtaking images of snowflakes. The colors and complexities of these white pieces of ice were astounding! It turns out the author of the book is a physicist who captured the crystals seconds after they fell to the ground using microscopic photography.  Another thing that inspired me about the book so much, were the quotes interspersed throughout the book.  I am a sucker for a good quote — take this one for example on page 162 of the book:

“New beauty meets us at every step in all our wanderings.” – John Muir

To make a long story short, I bought the book. How could I not? When I came home, I told my husband about it with excitement in my voice and showed it to him. It did not speak to him like it spoke to me. However, that is okay. What inspires one, may not inspire others.  To this day, the book still inspires me. In fact, as I type this post, I am flipping through the pages and am again, astounded by the beauty of it all. Nature is amazing.

Live Science.com has an image gallery of Libbrecht’s snowflakes. Here is just a taste of what inspired me so:

http://www.livescience.com/php/multimedia/imagegallery/igviewer.php?gid=35

Also check out Kenneth Libbrecht’s website: http://www.snowcrystals.com