While walking outside one morning. I saw the most beautiful thing ever.

It was early, and I was walking on dewy (带露水的) grass down to the horse stables — my mind on the day’s chores.

Suddenly a blazing (耀眼的) flash erupted (爆发) straight from the ground, about 15 feet in front of me, and shot up into the sky. Its brilliance (光彩) stopped me dead. What could make such a bright light? Could it be a diamond? I waited to see if it would repeat, but it didn’t.

I walked slowly toward it, but saw nothing. I stared down at the grass, searching for gold or some kind of metal — again, nothing. I dropped down to my knees for a closer look. Suddenly, I saw it. The rising sun hit the grass’ dewdrops at the perfect angle (角度), sending brilliant light into the sky. It was as if I had just discovered a tiny new world.

It was unbelievable! How could such a powerful flash come from something so small? On another day, I would have crushed it under my feet. It was as though the unseen world was giving me a heads-up. “Hello, look at what’s around you.” it said. I’ve never forgotten that moment.

So next time you’re out, take some time to notice nature, whose beauty most of us never even see. Our world contains so much beauty if we would just take time to admire it. Look at the brilliant colors and detailed patterns of small flowers that cover playing fields — we walk all over them without a second look. Watch a bee harvesting pollen (花粉), so busy with a purpose, or tiny ants going about their day, or birds singing and fluffing (抖动) their wings. Stop and stare at the beautiful colors of practically any flower on Earth. All of these natural creations are breathtaking (令人惊叹的) —if only we took the time to notice them.

Appreciate nature, and you'll find a new secret each day to keep in your heart. It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.

After over a decade of faithful service my old desktop computer finally died. It simply wouldn’t start. With no computer repair places open my daughter talked me into purchasing a new laptop to replace it. What followed was two days of pure frustration. It was like going from driving an old Model T Ford to flying the Space Shuttle.

After my daughter set it up, I looked for the old e-mail program I used to use, only to find that it wasn’t on this model. When I tried to download the older version again it wouldn’t work. I also had a terrible time downloading my old word processing program again. Then there were some difficulties of transferring all of my old stories that I had saved on a jump drive. The laptop computer’s fancy new programs were an icon minefield that I had to navigate. Each time I accidentally touched one of them it changed everything on my screen and I had to work hard to figure out how to change them back. In the end I had screwed up the settings so badly that I asked my daughter to do a reset so we could start over. Finally after two days I think we have set up the new computer to do the few simple things I need it to do so I can ignore the thousand other functions that I have no use for. I only hope it will work as long and faithfully as my old desktop did.

One thing I did learn from all of this is that when it comes to computers and life I want to keep things simple, simple, simple. Life is simple. Love is simple. It is we who make things complicated. Take some time today then to turn off your electronics and turn on your heart. Be a person, not a program. Be yourself, not your “Selfie”. Fill your days with purpose, your years with happiness, and your life with love.

It was a Sunday and I was with my mom in a mall. Mom is short. It is easy to overlook her in a crowd because she is nothing extraordinary to see.

We walked down the mall, glancing at windows briefly because we both knew we wouldn’t buy much, like always. I remember I was looking up at the people we passed — at first indifferently, but then attentively. Ladies wore five-inch heels and bright clothing. Men strode (阔步行走) by smelling of perfume.

An uneasy feeling started to settle in my chest. I tried to push it out, but once it took root it refused to be tossed away. I could not deny it; I was ashamed of my mother.

We were in a high-class neighborhood, I knew that. We lived in a small, overpriced apartment building that mom chose to move to because she knew the schools were good. But as I scrutinized the passers-by and then turned accusing eyes on Mom, I realized for the first time that we didn’t belong there.

I could see the heavy lines around Mom’s eyes and mouth. She wore cheap, ragged clothes. Her eyes were tired from working long hours to make ends meet and her hair too gray for her age.

I looked at her, and I was ashamed. My mom is nothing extraordinary, yet at that moment she stood out because she was just so plain.

I didn’t want to be seen with her. Just then, pointing to a sweater in a high-end store, mom said, “This will look good on you. Do you want it?” I almost agreed, thoughtlessly. Then I took a closer look at the small, weary woman and my words died in my throat. Her clothes were old because she spent money buying me new ones. She looked tired because she was busy working to provide for me. She didn’t wear jewelry because she was just content with me.

Suddenly, Mother was beautiful and extraordinarily wonderful in my eyes.

I was no longer ashamed of her, but of myself.

“No, thanks.” I said.