a few thoughts about beauty
one.
i’ve been thinking a lot about how i believe that beauty is a need (in point of fact, it is often included as one of the needs and desires that people try to fulfill), a need i think we would all do well to spend more of our time/energy/resources on than we do. beauty is an expression of the soul; therefore, expressing it feeds our soul, and our soul needs nourishment as much as the rest of us does. in some ways, maybe even more, because there is something about allowing our soul to express itself that helps elevate life from the mundane, that gives us a vision, that helps us go on when things are hard.
two.
expressing and appreciating beauty feels vulnerable, and it can be hard to be vulnerable.
three.
if i could gift you with the qualities i think you need in order to fill your life with beauty, they would be: trust and permission; maybe a dash of presence; and maybe a spoonful each of play, curiosity, vulnerability, and openness.
I like your recipe for beauty.
We forget, don’t we, to feed our souls? I remember years ago being told by a woman wise beyond her years to be sure to do things that feed my soul. One of the things she recommended was reading – whatever I loved to read. She was also the person who taught me that eating is a sensual experience and should be savored. Also difficult to remember!
You are so right about beauty feeding the soul. I hadn’t really thought about it that way before, although when I read your words, I immediately thought of moments in my life when my soul has been nourished by beauty. That’s why, I’m sure, I am always found “petting” the plants when I visit the arboretum. (How can you NOT pet a blooming snowball bush??)
Yes. And courage!
Kris: YES!!!!! I don’t know how I forgot that one!
Sherron: I always want to savor my meals. And yes, difficult to remember. p.s. I petted a plant in the woods just yesterday.
Ann: I’m glad
yes, to all three! Thank you for the thoughts to dwell upon.
I find beauty in the simplest of things, not on the cover of magazines.
From an awe inspiring sunrise to the stop-in-your-tracks call of an elusive wee bird hidden in a tree. From that warm, sweet puppy smell, a jewelled spider web in the early morning dew to sunlight behind billowy dark grey storm clouds.
The simple things make my soul sing! And in turn, my soul rewards me with creative inspiration.
Vulnerability and imperfection are beautiful to me. Quiet humbleness.
We are generally not taught to trust – really trust – ourselves. Nor to give ourselves permission to be who we want to be. So sad.
We all need to honour our internal vulnerable beauty. Time to shine!
Your comment made *my* soul sing! Such beautifully written descriptions.
Time to shine indeed!
Oh, this is sweet, Elizabeth! We need beauty–it enriches our spirits and our life journey in so many ways. Beauty helps us to see the possible in all things. :o) ((HUGS))
That it does. Here’s to filling our lives with more and more of it.
“beauty is an expression of the soul; therefore, expressing it feeds our soul, and our soul needs nourishment as much as the rest of us does.”
Brilliant. And beautiful. Thank you Elizabeth.