10_09_2023

I admitted to myself a couple of years back that we are living through a time in our country’s history that can best be described as dark and depressing.  Simply hearing the words of some that are encouraging violence against individuals and groups of people serves as evidence that a group of our own citizens      believes doing away with democracy so that a chosen few can make all the decisions is in itself frightening.  In case it isn’t clear, the only reason that this threatening movement is being promoted by a few is that being the one to make the rules will ultimately benefit them.  They are seeking iron-hand control of the country so that they can guarantee that they can’t be held accountable for their actions.

If you are like me, I find that most days I am in disbelief that this movement can actually be happening in the United States.  Most of us are paralyzed as we watch these events unfold. As rational minded people, we tell ourselves that such a movement could never take hold in our country.

I am willing to bet that many of my readers share my perspective that living in a democracy can be messy at times, especially when we don’t agree with the majority.  We need to remind ourselves how much the rest of the world envies our freedom of choice. 

I continue to search for ways to not succumb to depression or give into a state of mind that says we’re doomed by these performing artists and angry people.  The low-hanging fruit begins with monitoring how much of the daily news we take in.  Nest, my vaccine of choice includes making sure I nurture and find beauty in my daily life.

I offer the following words from John O’Donohue that I find inspiring:

“These are indeed difficult times. They require courage, commitment, hope and self-love. And all of these are sustained by beauty. We find the courage to fight after falling in love with a beautiful vision to fight for. We maintain our commitment only by finding the beauty that nourishes us. We hold on to hope because experiences of beauty remind us that something in the universe is on our side. We withstand dehumanization when rooted deeply in the beauty of our own dignity…It’s one of the most important secrets to successful social change and social survival: When we carry beauty, it carries us.”

“When we approach with reverence great things decide to approach us. When we walk on the earth with reverence, beauty will decide to trust us. The rushed heart and the arrogant mind lack the gentleness and patience to enter that embrace. Beauty is mysterious, a slow presence who waits for the ready, expectant heart.”   

I can attest to O’Donohue’s wisdom in his words as I find that witnessing beauty in its many forms is uplifting.  There are many kinds of beauty available to us throughout our daily routines.  One of the most impactful encounters of beauty that I experience includes witnessing any form of human caring and kindness.  This morning, for example, I witnessed a young father holding his baby daughter as he waited in line to order his morning coffee.  He nestled her closely, spoke to her quietly explaining what she was looking at, and kissing her gently on her head.

My neighborhood walks often reward me with glimpses of beauty.  Most days I walk the same path, which surprisingly always offers something new to see.  Repeating my steps each day offers a basis for comparison.  I created a new walking routine in my neighborhood when Covid hit us back in March 2020.  Before I realized it, I had deemed some homes as my favorites based on their offering something of beauty.  Perhaps it was a collection of small animal statuary nestled in the myrtle.  Or a blooming purple clematis climbing a rotting split rail fence.  Or it might be the soothing sounds of a wind chime hanging on the porch.   I never put words to why I experience beauty giving me hope, but O’Donohue’s words ring true: 

We hold on to hope because experiences of beauty remind us that something in the universe is on our side. We withstand dehumanization when rooted deeply in the beauty of our own dignity…It’s one of the most important secrets to successful social change and social survival: When we carry beauty, it carries us.”

I also feel like concentrating on beauty with a determined eye to see it in our ordinary, everyday worlds serves as an inoculation from being depressed.  When I see beauty, I am reminded that while we as humans are capable of harm, we are also  capable of amazing acts of compassion and kindness. 

We ended one of my classes on Nurturing Beauty with this quote from Blaise Pascal:

“In difficult times, carry something beautiful in your heart.”

We agreed that before we meet again in two weeks, we’ll each determine  what is “something beautiful” that we can carry in our hearts in difficult times. 

Today I was talking with a friend  about a Chapter on Joy in Joan Chittister’s book, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully.  My friend asked me what I thought was Chittister’s main point in the Chapter. I responded that I thought she was attempting to get her readers to realize that Joy is a Choice.  I feel the same about Beauty.  We can take steps to pay more attention to witness the many sources of beauty that are gifted to us daily. 

Nurturing Beauty is a Choice.