What is Beautiful to You?

By Jody Smith HERWriter

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Photo: Getty Images

Ever wonder where beauty comes from? I can't give you a scientific answer to this, though science is just as intrigued with the subject of beauty as the rest of us.

But I do have a few thoughts of my own on the subject.

And I think we have more control over the presence or absence of beauty in our lives than we may realize. We can create beauty in the world around us.

Some things are already beautiful, of course. A beautiful landscape, or a piece of music that uplifts, these are already available to us. Going for a walk, seeing the leaves turning color or watching a beautiful sunset, are there for the taking for many of us.

But we play an important role in finding, and encouraging, other forms of beauty in our own lives.

What is beautiful to you? Is it the view out your window where your flower garden blooms? Is it your children playing on the patio your husband built?

Maybe you find it beautiful when someone comes to visit and can relax in the homey comfort of your living room, drinking a cup of tea you bring them, or eating cookies you made for the occasion. The atmosphere of your home, nurtured and cultivated by care and love, can be a thing of beauty.

I think we may have all had the experience of meeting someone who at first glance is not a beauty. Then we get to know them, and become struck by their kindness or their helpfulness, their giftings and abilities and over time we realize ... this person looks beautiful to us now.

As ripples spread in a pool, at times this person may begin to respond in an unexpected way to our appreciation of them. Sometimes, our appreciation may be the first time this individual has seen themselves in a beautiful light. And they begin to stand taller.

Their face takes on a different aspect, as they are more inclined to smile. Their new sense of self-confidence and self-acceptance has begun the transformation from feeling plain and unremarkable ... to beauty.

We don't have to look at the world and the people around us, of course. Lots of people don't. But then they miss out on so much of the experience of beauty, and wonder why there is so little of it in their lives.

Beauty is what, and where, we make it. If we cradle it, protect it and encourage it to grow ... It's beautiful.

Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.