On Beauty

In The Walk, Author Richard Paul Evans wrote, “Some people in this world have stopped looking for beauty, then wonder why their lives are ugly. Look for beauty in everything and everyone and you will find it.”

Noticing beauty and taking the time to appreciate what we see can take an ordinary day and transport it into something extraordinary. Psychologist Abraham Maslow believed that those who experienced more peak experiences did this on a regular basis and it was one of the main reasons why they found so much pleasure in life.

Beauty is a fabulous word to play with because its synonyms: loveliness, pleasure, attractiveness, exquisiteness, splendor, and magnificence excite all the senses. Our five senses include what we see, what we feel, what we hear, what we smell and what we taste. Take the time to play with these five senses to experience how much beauty resides in the simple things of life: The magnificent beauty of nature; the loveliness of a bird’s song in the early morning; the pleasure of the company of a good friend; the splendor of a gracious smile; the exquisite sound and feel of a Mozart piano sonata; the scrumptious look of sautéed vegetables atop artichoke fettuccine and the delectable taste I have the pleasure of savoring.

With all the tragedies that abound and the internet providing them around the clock in full and glorious display, it is easy to forget about the transforming power of noticing and appreciating beauty. When you type in the word beauty on google, you immediately are inundated with pictures of young and beautiful women trying out new cosmetic products, hair products, and skin care products. In other words, we have come to associate beauty with youthfulness, flawless skin and perfect hair. 

 These are in fact beautiful but they only represent a very small and narrow picture of what is beautiful.

Physician and specialist on death and dying, Elizabeth Kubler- Ross wrote, “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

Beauty is all around us. It is in the immensity of stars up above; the ravishing rising and setting of the sun and the lovely phases of the moon. Beauty is in the depths of the ocean, the lakes, the streams, and waterways. It is in the colorful flowers and trees. It is in the people we lovingly call family and friends and the caring acts of strangers. Beauty is in the grand poetry of Whitman and the lovely and delicate nocturnes of Chopin.

It is so important in the business of life to never forget our God given abilities to notice and appreciate beauty. And as Novelist Franz Kaffka wrote, “Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”