Since so many of you are new to Glimsen, I thought I’d share my very first post from several years ago, where I explain what Glimsen is and why I started it.

Hello there!

I’m LeAnne Martin: a writer, wife, and mom. I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what to share with you.

Have you ever gotten lost in beauty? I have.

Have you ever stood on the beach and stared at the ocean’s waves, taking in the colors of the water, the smell of the salty air, the feel of a frothy wave rushing over your feet?

Soft light and colors early one morning on the beach

Or maybe you were walking through the woods, listening to birdsong overhead, inhaling the scent of evergreens towering above, feeling the cool of the shade on your skin.

Or standing in a small crowd of people with your eyes focused on the wall ahead of you, looking at the piece of art hanging there, marveling at it and the artist who created it.

The original of one of my favorite paintings, seen in a museum a few years ago

Or sitting in an auditorium, watching performers make music, or sing, or dance. Or tell a story. And wanting to be a part of it.

Have you? I have too. And those moments of beauty are some of my most treasured memories.

But I’ve also had moments of beauty that were unexpected and surprising. In fact, those experiences are even more common than the ones I’ve planned or pursued or purchased. Every day moments of beauty. And I treasure those too.

Neighbor's cherry tree loaded with blossoms and bumble bees

About 20 years ago, during a hard time in my life, I began to take notice of the beauty around me. One day while in my kitchen, I glimpsed the pink blossoms on my neighbor’s crabapple tree and stopped for a second look. The sight of that tree felt like a tall drink of water to a thirsty soul.

It would have been easy to miss or even dismiss that sight because of the difficult circumstances in my life.

But instead, I lingered in the moment and felt a sense of hope. Winter is over. Spring is here.

Beauty is all around us, but we often don’t see it, or hear it, or enjoy it. The more I became aware of it, the more I saw and the richer my life became with it. And the more I wanted to share it with others.

My friends’ dogwood tree dressed in fall colors

That’s why I started Glimsen. I want to share glimpses of the beauty I see and experience so that you will become more aware of it and your life will become richer too.

Because beauty is not just beautiful. Beauty points to something bigger than ourselves. It points to Hope, and Hope is something we all need.

View from a new favorite coffee shop last weekend

So, come along with me and together we’ll discover and take note of the beauty around us. I post here on the blog, and you can also catch me on Facebook and Instagram (although I’m a bit behind with posts over there).

To make sure you get the latest blog posts, sign up for my weekly newsletter and you’ll also get some behind-the-scenes news and updates, plus a free printable gift of beauty. Just click here to subscribe to that weekly newsletter.

And if you have a favorite experience with beauty, whether a hike to a beautiful waterfall, a concert by your favorite performer, or hours spent in an art museum, please leave a comment about it below. I would love to hear from you.