The Beauty of Life
Finding beauty in a broken world is creating beauty in the world we find.
– Terry Tempest Williams, American writer, activist, environmental educator
Not too long ago, I was strolling the streets of Santa Fe beneath that legendary New Mexican blue sky when a wedding procession emerged from the doors of the 1878 gothic Loretto Chapel. Holding hands and beaming broadly, the jubilant bride and groom led a long line of well-wishers to the Old Santa Fe Trail in front of the church. There, a humble but beautiful fawn-colored burro waited to lead the wedding procession through the streets of the City Different.
The small donkey was suitably dressed for the occasion. He sported a colorful blanket on his back, with geometric patterns of orange, red and blue diamonds and stripes. Yellow, green, red and white tassels edged his festive covering, along with burnt red fringe that nearly touched the ground. A tawny basket bursting with raspberry roses and persimmon colored marigolds with lime green leaves and stems was draped over the vibrant native blanket.
Beauty Can Appear at Any Time
That simple yet majestic assemblage of nature, color, shape, pattern, and texture took my breath away. In the moment, I was – as ever –in awe of the sometimes-unexpected elements of beauty that make our world gloriously stunning and unremittingly interesting.
In some of these dark days, when our world becomes unrecognizable, look for the beauty to help get you through. It might be a moment of nature, or the selfless deeds of people reaching out to help others. It is there. Seek it out wherever you are. It will revive your spirit and soothe your soul in the moment it appears. Then carry that moment with you and be grateful that the grace of beauty surrounds us – if we only stop and look.
For the love of beauty,
Thank you. Your words are so simple and yet so true, and your suggestion so easy to do. I hope I remember this the next time when the world looks gloomy and grey.
cute doggie!
I love your messages! They are bright and light and joyful – thank you!
This is such a great reminder! I love when we are out with our kids to point out these tiny vignettes of beauty or little elements that catch my eye because there is so much good to focus on when our world seems like in such negativity and chaos. Thank you for sharing!
You urge us to look for beauty around us, Linda. I have had a very enjoyable few minutes thinking of the different kinds of beauty around me. Last night I was astounded by a common-place beauty….silence! I took a walk right before dusk. There was no sound…no airplane noise, no cars..only a soft silence. Beauty.
Beautiful photo of the flowers on the burro. Your description is rich. Beauty every where!
Right you are, Linda! 🙂 A dear friend of mine brought us a box of beautiful fresh produce yesterday, it was so sweet of her to think of us!! 🙂 A farmer in our area gives it away to anyone who wants it, rather than letting it go to waste, a very kind gesture on his part 🙂 I am spreading the word to my family , friends and neighbors. We went for a long car ride today, a favorite thing that we enjoy doing here in the Endless Mountains of PA. We are surrounded by beauty here and it’s always breathtaking 🙂 Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures 🙂
Happy Summer,
Jean