The True Beauty: Life After the Storm

Isn’t it beautiful how some mornings arrive quietly yet stir something deep within the soul? Today was one of those mornings for me.



After two nourishing weeks resting my soul in the arms of wild beauty—the rugged coastlines, fragrant maquis bushes, and gentle lull of waves on the French island of Corsica—I returned to Nice yesterday with a heart full of wonder.

This morning, after a visit to the eye doctor, I walked home along the Promenade des Anglais—the place where the city of Nice meets the sea.

And then, there it was.

The Baie des Anges, sparkling in shades of emerald and azure, dancing with the light of early summer. I paused to take a photo, but no camera—not even my old phone 😊—could capture what I felt in that moment.

I realized I had moved from one kind of beauty to another.

Gratitude rose within me like the tide.

As I continued walking, breathing in the cool, bright air, I came upon a vibrant carpet of flowers swaying in the breeze, as if celebrating life itself.



A storm had passed through Nice just yesterday. The flowers—nasturtiums—were in full bloom: round leaves and bright blossoms of orange, yellow, and red. Today I learned the nasturtium stands for victory after struggle.

And I smiled—orange is one of the key colors of Rise With Vien, symbolizing joy, hope, creativity, and warm emotional energy.

It felt like life was holding up a mirror, gently reminding me: the path I’ve chosen is deeply aligned with who I am.

Back at home, I opened my laptop and a quote from one of my teachers appeared:
“The storm can be fierce, yet brings new life.”

How perfect.

Because I know storms. I have walked through them. And I have learned:

If we stay open, if we trust the process, even the fiercest storms can clear the skies for new growth and blooming.

That is why I do the work I do—walking alongside women as they rise from their own storms into strength, confidence, and light.

It felt like a message not just for today, but for this whole season of life.

With those words echoing inside me, I opened a new diary—a thoughtfully chosen gift from a dear friend who just traveled back from Japan. On the first page, a delicate Japanese inscription caught my eye. Curious, I looked it up:

暮しと結びついた美しさが、ほんとうの美しさだ。

“The beauty that is connected to daily life—it’s the truest beauty.”

Wow.

So much in just a few characters—a quiet reminder that the extraordinary often lives in the everyday.

I paused. Then I began to write.

The ink flowed easily—like the sea I had just walked beside. Like joy. Like hope.

Some days remind us:

Beauty isn’t far away.

It’s right here, waiting for us to slow down and let it in.

Let the storm bring new life.

Let the flowers dance.

Let gratitude rise like the morning sun.

And let us keep walking—open-hearted, wonder-eyed—ready to meet the magic waiting in the everyday.

What about you, dear friend?

• Have you ever walked through storms and come out stronger, softer, wiser?

• Have you seen beauty bloom just when you needed it most?

And if you’re still walking in the rain—through winds and hurricanes—please know:

You are not alone.



#Joy #Gratitude #Hope #LetTheStormBringNewLife #NatureHeals #RiseWithVien