Chapter 7.12 Appreciate Beauty

Appreciate Beauty

“I never saw an ugly thing in my life; for art the form of an object be what it may – light, shade, perspective will always make it beautiful.”

John Constable (1776-1837)       English Romantic Painter

Oh to be able to see things through the eyes of an artist. An artist can see the beauty of form in everything.

“Every beauty which is seen here below by persons of perception resembles more than anything else that celestial source from which we all come …”

Michelangelo Italian Renaissance Artist

I’m not sure that the appreciation of Beauty has been recognized for its true power.  We often treat Beauty as a passive experience.  Experiencing true Beauty … incredible vistas, earthly monuments, great works of art, the pedals of a flower, the natural Beauty in each person … should be an active pursuit.  Being captivated by Beauty can fill one’s soul with positive energy.

“When you appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of things, you receive energy.  When you get to a level where you feel love, then you can send the energy back just by willing it so.”

The Celestine Prophecy James Redfield

I think just about all of us can agree that appreciating Beauty is a positive experience.  Earthly majesties, nature’s subtleties, musical harmony, physical form, personal being.  Have you ever looked at natural beauty and had it made you feel bad?  Taking the time to appreciate Beauty could be another secret channel for tapping the Infinite.

“One hour’s meditation on the work of the Creator is better than seventy years of prayer.”

Muhammad  (571-632)       Founder of Islam

Soaking in Beauty is a positive energy fix.  One feels more a part of the Universe, a part of humanity.  For us to appreciate Beauty, we need to focus our earthly senses: sight, sound, taste, smell, touch … the earthly tools for us to enjoy pleasure and the world around us.

“When beauty fires the blood, how love exalts the mind!”

“Cymon & Iphigenia”         John Dryden (1631 – 1700)       English Poet/Playwright

When in the presence of Beauty, we must take time to receive its energy.  A quick glance is like a drop of water.  We need to soak up Beauty like a sponge.  We need to block out all other thoughts and concentrate, meditate, and contemplate the beauty that we see.  We need to feel it.  That Beauty will charge us and leave a glow.  It will make us more beautiful.

“The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.”

Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)         English Philospher/Lawyer

Often we do not notice items of beauty when they are right in front of us. We are too busy to notice or we are not looking deep enough. On my only visit to Death Valley, I became aware of the intricate detail in the ecosystem. The different colors of rock and sand, the boldness of any vegetation growth, the changing scene as the sun’s shadows crossed over the terrain. You will be amazed when you look at things in detail.

“The first act of awe, when man was struck with the beauty or wonder of Nature, was the first spiritual experience.”

Henryk Skolimowski Polish Philosopher

One quick way to attract attention to beauty is through vivid colors. Most flowers show the way for bees, butterflies and birds to enjoy their nectar and seeds and to become carriers to proliferate the plant’s species to other areas. I have also noticed lately that people who wear bright colors also appear more attractive. Is this because they feel good about themselves and are not afraid of standing out? Or is it because color truly defines beauty?

Beauty … we all share a piece of it.  Some part of us exhibits the beauty that we all have, whether it is physical beauty or inner beauty or both. Each one of us has something to offer.  In fact, upon some lightweight research on beauty, I discovered that:

“A strong indicator of physical beauty is “averageness”. When images of human faces are averaged together to form a composite image, they become progressively closer to the “ideal” image and are perceived as more attractive.”

Wikipedia – Beauty

And y’all thought that I was pulling your leg about trying to be good at being average!

Another thing I have discovered about Beauty is that a person is so much better looking when she smiles (I suppose this works for guys too.)  Their (both women and men)  face lights up, their body language changes, they radiate an energy. They appear not just more receptive and more engaging … their face changes and they actually become more attractive.  They are more beautiful!

“There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.”

Maria Mitchell (1818-1889)        First American Professional Woman Astronomer

So for anyone who looks in a mirror, a smile might be a good trick to remember … don’t be afraid, see if your smile at yourself can have an effect on you …

“Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror.”

Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)          Lebanese born Writer and Poet

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