Only you can feel
the elation of viewing a sunset. Only you are enthralled
with the vibrant colors of flowers. Only you can
contemplate the infant’s fair continence and be lifted
beyond the bounds of transient matter. And as if this
weren’t enough, only you can ‘create’ something that
others find attractive. Using your senses and an
infinite variety of resources you can bring something
into being that did not exist before. No other creature
does this. Think about it. Have you ever seen an animal
admire anything? Design anything? Gardens are cultivated
throughout the world. Music fills the air. You and your
kind never tire of creating and enjoying beauty.
As
the current hurries you along you learn to appreciate
much of what you see. Rocks and pebbles attract you:
Their muted grays and blues, silver streaks with rubies
that seem to glow. Something too about their shapes.
Such variety. You name things, rearrange things. You
combine substances to make something new. Your
co-swimmers do much the same. You admire their work,
they yours.
Accolades are presented for the prettiest. You go out of
your way to experience beauty … be it part of the river
or viewed on the embankments. You never tire of being
entranced.
Nothing can compare with your marvelous river view.
CONCLUSION
You live your life constantly dealing with necessities.
You do what you must to survive both physically and
socially. But everything you encounter offers you an
experience that is beyond what ‘matters’. For you ‘see’
things with a feeling that transcends the ‘here and
now’. When you say “that is so beautiful” you are
exhibiting a deep sense of appreciation. You are
‘filling up’ with an inexplicable awe. And you never
stop IMAGINING that there is so much more!!
alone again
choose something near you which is particularly
attractive
gaze at it
marvel at various aspects of it
use all possible senses to enjoy it
perhaps a full-flowered rose: Its color, its shape, its
size, its delicacy, its fragrance, its softness, its
taste
consider the flower’s appeal especially to a loved one
(Ever wonder why people give gifts of flowers?)
while you are in this contemplative mode, what else
excites you
music dance … a great feat by an athlete … the taste of
a delicious wine, beer, coffee, candy the design of a
new car … the images on your video screen,
pottery, antiques, a handmade desk
there are no limits to what can swell your heart
You are being spiritual
when you experience Beauty,
When the lovely melody
brings tears to your eyes.
When you inspect the clothes on the rack and one ‘pops’ out
at you.
When you watch the fireworks with others and gasp along with
them.
When you stroke an infant passing by in a carriage and
experience elation.
When you swim underwater to the coral reef and delight at
the colorful fish.
When the colors and shapes of orchids entice you to gaze and
gaze and gaze.
When the design of your new car provokes you to peek at it
throughout the day.
When you pet the kitty cat and admire its colors, its cute
little face and paws, its antics.
When the steady flight of geese overhead glide blithely by
in formation and you stare fascinated.
When the rainbow ‘stops you in your tracks’ and you stare
wide-eyed calling to your mate “look!”
have you
experienced beauty you today?? a cloud formation perhaps??
truly appreciate and use this transporting ‘gift’ often … beauty
is always at hand
your senses can ‘embrace’ so much of what the world has to offer
… be receptive to the diversity all ‘round you … your ‘everyday
life’ can be filled with moments of glee
for all creation has been given you to enjoy
DEFINITIONS AND ESSAYS - BEAUTY
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