This feeds my soul

Joanne brought home some white hyacinths a few days ago. The aroma filling our kitchen is intoxicating. The weather is getting warmer and outside I see daffodils peeking up through the cold dirt.

It reminded me spring is coming, but it also brought to mind this old quotation:

“If I had but two loaves of bread I would sell one of them and buy White Hyacinths to feed my soul.” – Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)

Why do I love that so much?  And why does it even make any sense?  

Surely if you were down to only two loaves of bread the responsible thing to do would be to guard them carefully and ration them out as food for your family.

And yet a life without beauty is not one to be desired or admired. 

We all want beauty in life — art, aroma, and experiences for reasons that have nothing to do with getting a bigger paycheck.

 The beauty you create may serve primarily to bring hope and encouragement to others. Your art, your writing, your speaking, your comedy, your valuable coaching or your music may be the application of your unique God-given talent to allow someone else to experience beauty in life and a sweet aroma.  

I love that hyacinths are often associated with spring and rebirth.  They are very inexpensive and come back year after year.  They really are a great investment for a poor person who has little for splurges but still desires both beauty and a margin.

So what are you doing to bring beauty into your life right now – to “feed your soul” – even if your bank account is low?