EXPERIENCE BEAUTY

AN INVITATION TO LIVE AND EXPERIENCE BEAUTY

One of the goals of this space is to inspire beauty, so that each one of us lives and experiences it within our own lives and circumstances.

We find however that "passive consumption" is predominant among social media users; where scrolling through wonderful images posted by friends or strangers alike, provide a sense of loneliness and even depression for many.

lovely image via ignite light 

lovely image via ignite light

 

While it is beautiful to witness breathtaking images of faraway lands, summer resorts and serenity in the middle of Central Park, it is important to understand that what each of these pictures represent, is an experience.

We do not need to lay on a white sanded beach in order to experience beauty. We have the ability to find joy in simple everyday moments and details, and until we learn to look in the right places, we will be prey to continual social envy and the haunting thought that "someone else's life could be better".

There are so many beautiful images floating through cyberspace, and inspiration should come forth from each one of these, to live our own experience. BeautyFound looks to be a source of inspiration, so an invitation is extended to #findbeauty; even as you find yourself seating within a cubicle or wandering busy city streets. It only takes a minute to stop and look closer:

  • Look out your window: Many times we are so entertained by tasks, that we miss wonderful little details outside our own home.
  • Notice others: Whether you are walking down busy streets or at work, we tend to blur the many people that walk past us. Try to notice someone's beauty; whether external or internal, and see yourself reflected in them and connected through something small.
  • Mind your food: We do not need to go to a fancy restaurant or be on vacation to savor each meal. Even if you ordered Chinese takeout, make the effort to serve on a beautiful plate and consciously enjoy every bite.
  • Discover the new: Many times we are so accustomed to our surroundings, that we fail to notice beautiful details, both old and new. Cherish each object decorating your home, or look at your neighborhood with brand new eyes. There is always something new to discover.
  • Be inspired: Continue to scroll down beautiful and inspiring images. There are so many wonderful and talented people, you should be able to enjoy in an active; rather than passive manner.
  • Enhance your senses: After looking at your screen and being thoroughly inspired, plan a visit to an actual beautiful place. This could be a museum to experience and admire art installations,  a bookstore to flip through actual pages, or a park to connect with nature and the smell of grass or pine.

       So by all means, this an invitation to be present in the moment and experience a sense of joy.


LOOK WHAT I FOUND NO.02

There is great joy and beauty to be found in everyday surroundings, and artist/photographer Paul Octavious captures this perfectly through his latest idea; The Pantone Project - where he is on a mission to match all the Pantone colors to things he finds in everyday life.

The Pantone Matching System is used in the printing industry to assure you get the right color when the file is printed. Colors are indicated by Pantone name or number.

You may follow the ongoing project through Octavious' Instagram account. 

THE BEAUTY OF COMPASSION

Image by P. Wiggers via UNHCR  

Image by P. Wiggers via UNHCR

 

EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF EXPERIENCING TRUE COMPASSION

“Welcome to the country which has no flags and does not appear in maps, a country where tourists do not arrive. You do not need a passport or a visa to live there; you only need to have lost it all.”

This is the introduction of a documentary presented by UNHCR Spain in collaboration with director Fernando León de Aranoa and actress Elena Anaya. It is a window into the way of life within Ethiopian refugee camps, where thousands of Sudanese and Somalie refugees are sheltered.

As the trailer for the above documentary ends, a little girl voices to the audience "WELCOME TO MY COUNTRY". An imaginary country of over 45 million and increasing in numbers.

A country of mothers, children, fathers, brothers; separated from some of those whom they love, due to the need to flee from a highly dangerous situation. They find themselves in need of food, shelter and a way to communicate with those who were left behind.

Looking at the conditions of life and the stories behind each person, there are different possible reactions from someone who watches from afar.

One could be moved to pity and helplessly carry on, or one could identify their suffering with our own; allowing us to reach a level of compassion.

As I watched other stories from refugee camps around the world, I found images of people with similar living arrangements. Beautiful mothers holding their children, families playing together within their small shelter, children smiling as they held books or backpacks which would help them go to school (none of which would be possible, without the generosity of many).

Through each one of these images, I found myself and each one of you.

While we are all living different realities; based on individual circumstances, we do not live so distant from theirs, since we have all experienced suffering to some degree. Each mother knows the pain of seeing a little one cry, and a parent knows the pain of not being able to provide.

Each one of us knows; that despite of circumstances, there is always an opportunity to forge ahead, to grow and give to others.

Everyone can learn to experience true compassion; which does not seek pity as much as it seeks understanding. 

The documentary directed by Aranoa on Ethiopian camps showcases the great ongoing needs of refugees. Other camps have already created small businesses and commerce; such as the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, with a market avenue nicknamed Champs-Élysées , or the beauty salon in Uganda, which brings confidence and hope to Congolese refugee women.

Each one of us can be deeply compassionate and take action.

If you are in a position to help; move forward, if you are in a position to pray; do it. Each of us is in a position to act; no matter how small, there is always something that can be done. Even when there is not much to change, love and compassion are the great transforming virtues that allow us to live a beautiful life filled with dignity.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

01. Do I feel the need to help, but pass on the opportunity thinking that someone else will do it in my place?

02. Do I realize that each one of us is called to be generous and take action?

03. Do I identify with the human pain of strangers in hard situations as I would with my close friends + family?

RESOURCES TO TAKE ACTION:

There is always a need for all refugees and at the moment there is a great immediate one for Syrian ones.

You may visit the following agencies for information on how to help:

UN Refugee Agency

(Syria Emergency)

World Vision

(3 facts you should know about the Syrian Refugee Crisis)

Refugees International

INTERIM BEAUTY: STRIVING FOR THE BEST

thebestisyettocome

As we strive for happiness and well being, there is a continuous desire for growth and improvement. We set goals and willingly create consistent patterns; yet, we become discouraged by the wait. The gradual process that envelopes each life and clouds perspective, tends to distract us from the beautiful truth; that the best is yet to come.

We must remind ourselves of that which is not visibly present; yet visibly possible.

We must learn that every small step makes us better and therefore drives us forward; never backwards.

We must learn to love the interim beauty that is present today, and work incessantly on its gradual transformation into an ever improving masterpiece. It is within this space in time that we build our character and achieve personal growth; within this moment, that commitment to ourselves and others becomes essential.

It is precisely here that our lives become ever more beautiful.

lovely image via

CAPTURED BY BEAUTIFUL LIGHT

The wonders that can be captured through a camera lens, are delightfully highlighted by the proper use of light, and without a doubt; the beautiful work done by Sue Bryce; a portrait photographer based in Sydney, far exceeds this reality.

On her lovely documentary titled"The Light that Shines"; which begins with the quote "beauty is the light in the heart", she portrays the story of a beautiful and inspiring woman, Jill Brzezinski-Conley, who has been able to inspire love and joy in the midst of difficulty, and a battle with cancer. This talented photographer speaks of the moment she came across Jill's story and describes her feelings.

"Something incredible resonated in my intuition and my soul", Sue describes, marking a start for a beautiful project.

Jill strolled the streets of Paris, wearing a lovely and magical Steven Khalil gown; yet, what truly makes the images come to life is Jill's inner beauty; which, so clearly reflects and tells the story of every experience lived within her life; specially within the past three years.

I invite you to watch this moving documentary; which touches on many levels and aspects of our human dignity, through the perspective of joy and strength.

Images via SUE BRYCE | PORTRAIT

OUR POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH

flower1.jpg

EVERY NOBLE PURSUIT; NO MATTER HOW SMALL ~ HOLDS GREAT POTENTIAL

Picture a beautiful bouquet of flowers brought home from the market, and the moment in which the blooms are assembled in simple vases in order to add a touch of beauty to a breakfast table. Some of the buds have not fully bloomed and are artfully mixed with the ones that have; yet, in the midst of these two, there are tiny little ones that seem far from becoming flowers. They are almost too small to be noticed, but are placed nonetheless within the freshest of water.

Many days later, the little buds begin to grow and show the potential for beautiful blooms to be enjoyed in later days.

This is what happened to me as I arranged beautiful white freesias for a weekend breakfast with friends. I am fascinated by the little buds that seem to grow each day of the week, and it made me think of how many times, we are afraid to pursue noble causes, with the idea that our efforts might be too small; especially when compared to already blooming ones.

No effort is too small, and every big accomplishment starts with small constant actions.

I invite you to give, I invite you to act, to love, and to forge ahead with all noble pursuits; for every one of these; makes the difference, millions of individuals are afraid they won't make.

FRUIT OF OUR LABOR

A REFLECTION ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF LABOR INTO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL

BY MARISOL B.

IMAGE VIA FARMETTE

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“Many work in the fields, under the sun; others inside large skyscrapers under fluorescent light. Each one with their own set of challenges to conquer the day; yet given the same exact opportunity — the one to offer one’s labors for a bigger purpose; beyond the sweat of our forehead. ”

A few days surrounded by silence can do wonders for body, mind, heart and soul. It is in the depth of that silence, that I pondered deeply about the direction of my goals in relation to eternity.

Some of these thoughts include the fact that a few things are inescapable for human kind, no matter what the state of life. A couple of them being labor and suffering.

Everyday offers new opportunities and possibilities, and if one is to profit and fully live; idleness is not a choice. Many books have been written on more efficient ways to cut labor time in half or less. I remember reading the 4-hour workweek a while ago, and agreeing with the fact that truly a day's duties could be accomplished in the least possible amount of time; yet, there is always something else that could be done in order not to waste the day away (whether for leisure, learning, or service).

Many work in the fields, under the sun; others inside large skyscrapers under fluorescent light. Each one with their own set of challenges to conquer the day; yet given the same exact opportunity -- the one to offer one's labors for a bigger purpose; beyond the sweat of our forehead. Labor and suffering; the existing conditions of our humanity from the beginning of time. The unavoidable reality for each one of us; therefore, our choice remains:

To labor each day with a great sense of love and purpose, or to drag ourselves into the unending rhythm of the working class. To understand that our work can transform the world and bring maturity and fulfillment to the one that labors. Placing labor to the service of humanity and not the other way around.

So wherever one may be in life, let us ask ourselves, what are the fruits of our labor?

FOR MORE ON LABOR >>VISIT HERE 

THE LITTLE WAY

As I write these lines, I ponder about the recent tragedy in Newton, CT and I turn to prayer for healing and acceptance for all families involved.

Tragedy seems to hit unannounced; leaving us speechless before a sad reality and a broken world. I cannot fathom the pain of all mothers who have lost their precious children and the sadness that surrounds this community. I cannot therefore help, but unite to their pain and be part of the healing process.

There is truly a lack of words for what could be beautiful in their lives right now, but we must not forget that even amidst tragedy and suffering, one can experience a tremendous amount of grace.

I had intended to share a piece of my own suffering several months ago, but somehow I hesitated with the thought that perhaps it was too sad and I opted for sharing happier moments. Today I have a different perspective, as once again I am left with the fact that suffering is a human reality and that any light I might be able to shed from my own experience is noble in itself.

As much as I understand that each circumstance and tragedy is unique, I believe that pain is a universal reality. While things will never be the same and it will take a long time for families to heal, I hope the below story brings a ray of hope to many............

lovely image found through pinterest 

lovely image found through pinterest

 

Last summer, I was given the opportunity to reflect on how I walk my little journey in life. I am truly grateful for the many occasions I can step back, look at the whole picture, and see the amazing plan thought out for each one of us, despite the difficulties.

As I write these lines, I count myself wonderfully blessed and compelled to share about my own pain and suffering transformed into beauty. Perhaps I must share bits and pieces of my own little way, as a means to help others persevere and love in any circumstance.......

My mother passed away during a tragic accident ten years ago. The night we found ourselves in front of her laying body; covered by a blanket, behind a yellow line, is one to bring tears to my eyes when vividly described. Sometime I will get to share the many details of that particular night; filled with depth and even hidden beauty.

This time though, my pen brings me to the part when funeral arrangements were to be made. I remember myself discussing arrangements for her cremated body to be buried. Something felt inappropriate about how the topic was handled. I doubted the dignity with which the loss of my beloved mother was handled by the callous personality of those who dealt with death on a daily basis.

As I found myself troubled by the circumstances, I received a phone call from one of my sisters. I was told of my mother's words not too long before her accident. She had expressed the wish to have her body cremated and spread throughout a field of flowers. I could not think of a more fitting way to honor her, so I excused myself from the funeral home and began the arrangements to fulfill her wishes.

We consulted with a few Theologians on the topic of burial and faith. When given an answer in regards to the specific situation, we embarked on our journey to find the perfect spot.

Once there, my siblings and I concluded it would be a good idea to take turns carrying the ashes on our way to the flower field. It was during that moment, when I remembered telling my mother a few yeas back, how I would take care of her as an elderly person. I told her I would push her wheelchair, as she once pushed my stroller. Unfortunately, she died before this would happen; yet, I found myself holding her entire body within my arms. I realized how I was given the opportunity to embrace her, just as she embraced me as a baby.

Life has many turns and road forks; but, we can always find something wise and beautiful within its many moments.

I could fill an entire book with them, but for now, I leave you with this little bit of my journey.....