When I picture beauty, I think of delicate flowers waving softly in the wind and of a sunset reaching it’s last rays over the oceans horizon. I think of a child singing sweetly as they play alone with their toys and of a couple sitting on their rockers overlooking the countryside. I see beauty in an artist reflecting on a finished, yet challenging piece of work, a kiss from a parent to their child who in that moment finds comfort and safety. These are beautiful things, but what does beauty look like in my own life where I know the ups and downs, I have gone through, the hurt and happiness that I have felt. What does it look like?
Mornings-
Beauty looks like waking up with no alarm and opening my eyes to the sunlight coming through my window. It’s looking at myself in the mirror and loving my body for keeping me alive and well. It’s the aroma and warmth of the cup of coffee that I make before sitting with God. It’s sitting in stillness, opening my heart for God to make my life new and to fill me with His goodness. Beauty is hugging my dog and receiving one lick from her grumpy self and eating fresh raspberries from my garden.
Afternoons-
Beauty in the afternoon looks like taking a breath, a moment, to slow down and remind myself that I am ok, that I am loved, and I am not alone. Beauty is enjoying the warmth of the sun in my favorite chair in between meetings with my business partners. Beauty is listening to my squeaky cello as I practice for the 10-15th time on the hard music piece, knowing that I have put my time and effort into be where I am. Beauty is sharing a laugh with friends and working through tough challenges with business partners. Beauty is the hum of my bees and the smell of their honey as I check in on them, and it’s watching them zoom across my yard collecting pollen from the fields and flowers around us.
Evenings-
Beauty in the evenings is preparing supper together as a family, and it’s listening to the stories of success and struggle that we intimately get to share with each other without judgement. Beauty is sitting on the back deck cuddling on the couch watching a little TV as the sun goes down behind us. It is also the quiet personal space I give myself to think about the loved ones I have lost. Beauty is allowing myself to cry because I miss them and being ok that it’s not ok. Beauty is the whispered prayers I share with God that only He can hear and carry, allowing Him to bring my comfort and peace that only He can bring.
My beautiful life is not determined by getting things right. It doesn’t look perfect, and often it’s messy. Sometimes I have a moment of sadness, hurt, weakness, or sickness, but there is always beauty to be seen. We have a choice on how we choose to see our lives. We have a choice to embrace the space, sit quietly and ask who am I? Who do I want to be? What do I care about and how am I making a difference or an impact on those around me?
I am a believer, so the core of my understanding of where beauty comes from is from God. I was told when I was little that God doesn’t make junk, so I share the same sentiment with you too. You are uniquely made, and God has a plan for you. You are in His eye, and He is the beholder.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
