When I type “beauty” into the Google search engine, beautiful things do no appear. What appears, you ask? Materialized, consumeristic ‘beauty’. I’m thankful for this search in the Google engine because it reminded me that my definition of beauty vastly differs from society’s version.
This, to me, is what beauty looks like:
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
To me, beauty looks like a little boy who is deaf and mute running to me and launching himself into my arms. Beauty in love.
To me, beauty looks like a little boy who has been provided with a surgery that will allow him to fully be part of his community. Beauty in sacrifice.
To me, beauty looks like a baby sleeping in your arms– safe, secure, peaceful. Beauty in innocence.
To me, beauty looks like kids playing together paying no heed to color, tribe, language. Just playing together, as kids should. Beauty in community.
To me, beauty looks like a social worker going into a home and encouraging an ill mother. Beauty in proximity.
Beauty looks like someone teaching a child how to play UNO. Beauty in FUN.
Beauty looks like a teacher leading his classroom to think, discuss, and explore. Beauty in leadership.
Beauty looks like young ones being recruited to come to school and learn mathematics, reading, and Truth. Beauty in an invitation.
Beauty looks like people from every corner of the earth uniting together for one cause- to lift His anthem high. Beauty in unity.
Beauty? It looks like you. It looks like me. It looks like us. Beauty is not a commercialized product. Beauty is putting your hope in something better. Putting your hope in the promise of eternity.
Does beauty matter? Does it really make a difference? You tell me. Has beauty ever been gifted to you. Has someone encouraged you? Has someone earnestly hugged you? Has someone taught you? Have you held a sleeping baby? Have you provided someone with a need? Have you united with someone in a greater cause? Have you chosen to be close to someone who isn’t easy to be close to? Have you spoken out against racism and bigotry? Has someone spoken out against things things for you?
See? You are beauty. Beauty is fluid. Beauty is always in motion. Beauty, through you, can always be seen. It can always be felt. It can always be heard.
Today, be beauty to someone. Beauty is cultivated. Let’s be its planters.
Love,
Abby
