In the path of beauty

Beauty is all around us but often we miss it. Sometimes other things distract us, or we simply don’t know how to receive it. Beauty is an invitation we respond to by putting ourselves into its path; it’s not something we actively arrange or achieve by our efforts alone.

While there is a sense in which we must go beauty hunting in order to find it, this hunting is more about opening our hearts to what is already present. Beauty is not something we do or figure out. It’s simply something we experience.

And this is where our souls are often left impoverished.

We spend much of our life chasing the things we want to accomplish – tackling projects and making things happen. And to be fair, this is part of how we offer our strength to the world.

But this approach doesn’t help when it comes to beauty. Beauty is not something that can be conquered. It must be approached with an open vulnerability – allowing it to penetrate and stir our souls.

And so, putting ourselves in the path of beauty is simply answering the call to receive beauty wherever it’s found.

This might mean slowing down to enjoy the changing of seasons or the joy of our kids playing outside. It might also come through a well-crafted book or film, deep conversations with friends, or moments of ecstasy with our wife.

Whatever it looks like, we put ourselves in the path of beauty by opening to the fullness of joy and delight present in that moment.

And we continue to miss the many ways it comforts, nourishes, and inspires when we feel we must do something to beauty rather than simply learning to receive it.

In the end, put yourself in the path of beauty and let it minister to your soul. This is not something you have to make happen, only open and receive.

Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash