In the Presence of Beauty
“Beauty is a core moral value. It’s an essential piece of how we stay resilient and find joy, even with all the difficulties of life.”
I keep a small stack of books on my dresser as a gateway to centeredness. The practice of opening them to a random page always delivers the wisdom I need; As Mark Nepo did in The Book of Awakening, illustrating the difference between looking at a flower versus holding it in your hands.
I’ve heard ‘hold it in your hands’ every time I’ve walked by a rose since. He inspired a ritual of pausing to feel the petals’ velvety softness and breathe in their candy-like fragrance. I’m always in awe of their center — A manifestation of all that’s become and is yet to unfold. The roses evoke a sense of stillness, inviting the question…What is the nature of beauty?
“Beauty is a core moral value. It’s an essential piece of how we stay resilient and find joy, even with all the difficulties of life.”
In this episode snippet, On Being’s Krista Tippett shares how her conversation partners, from poets to physicists, unveil beauty’s vitality. The late Mary Oliver captured this in their conversation, declaring: “I got saved by the beauty of the world.”
I’m thankful for Krista’s invitation to awaken to the beauty in our lives and its possibility to save us too.
What feels beautiful to you today? How might you truly take it in?
With gratitude,
Jenna