Looking for Beauty
Back when we were first dating Linda suggested that I learn how to look for beauty in life every day.
When I look back on my application of her suggestion, I am amazed on what a difference it has made in my life in the years following.
My whole attitude and outlook have become more upbeat as a result.
At first, I was told to look for wildflowers as we drove through familiar routes. Until then, I was not aware that wildflowers were there, as my mind simply ignored them. Once I learned to see them from a distance, Linda suggested that I look at individual wildflowers up close to better appreciate their color, structure and overall beauty. At some locations ten-minute walks were also undertaken to see just how many different wildflowers grew there. Learning to see was a skill that took some practice.
My next lesson involved me looking for a beauty that I could describe and share with others. Hopefully, I could help others appreciate beauty and look for it themselves. Sunsets and sunrises were easy to think of, but when I expanded my outlook to other areas I really started seeing better. Cloud formations, leaf color, mountains and fast flowing streams began to take more space in my conscious mind. My ultimate goal was to see the world around me as an artist would see it, plus enjoy, and appreciate all the detail.
Sharing this skill with others will take some practice.
The beauty of people, especially if they were fit, well-groomed and well-dressed became another focus. Admiring others for their speaking, writing, physical ability, or mental accomplishment motivated me to attempt to improve my own skills in these areas. Soon I also saw that there was much to be learned from others and I began looking for their positive examples so that I could adopt them.
Birds became more interesting when I noticed how they could use the wind to aid flying or when I tried to identify them by their song. Animals were admired for their grace, ability to feed themselves, plus often the uncanny eyesight or hearing they possessed that were necessary for their survival.
The final step in my looking for beauty learning process eventually became, what can I do to make others see more beauty?
If I admire the appearance of others, I should seek to look better myself.
Fitness, dress and attitude were areas that needed to be addressed. Use of a smile or kind word or deed has a positive effect. Where I have a favorite hike, I pick up litter, if my hike is near home, I prune blackberry vines overhanging the sidewalk. If I were able to make someone smile today this was good. If they were able to experience relief when I shared their burden by simply listening, this was even better.
The City owns a small piece of land across the street from my home that is on the corner of two well-traveled streets.
After a few years of watching weeds and blackberries grow there, I decided to adopt care of this land by removing weeds, mowing the grass, and even planting a small flower garden for passers by to notice.
To keep the garden growing, I carry buckets of water from my property across the street just to keep it alive. I acknowledge the beauty and liveliness of my new garden, but what brightens my spirit is when others notice me working there and stop their automobile just to tell me that they appreciate what I am doing.
I am grateful for being shown how to look for beauty.
