Softening our lenses with beauty
We often think about beauty with a hard, convergent lens.
Homing in on the details and noticing the imperfections. Oh dear, what's happened here?
Yet this is such a narrow, shallow perspective, focussing only on the past or the future. On how things used to be, or what we might create 'if only'.
However, beauty calls us to have a conversation in the present. To embrace its transcendence and appreciate the subtle shift of life and light here now.
FOR BEAUTY
As stillness in stone to silence is wed,
May solitude foster your truth in word.
As a river flows in ideal sequence,
May your soul reveal where time is presence.
As the moon absolves the dark of distance,
May your style of thought bridge the difference.
As the breath of light awakens colour,
May the dawn anoint your eyes with wonder.
As spring rain softens the earth with surprise,
May your winter places be kissed by light.
As the ocean dreams to the joy of dance,
May the grace of change bring you elegance.
As clay anchors a tree in light and wind,
May your outer life grow from peace within.
As twilight pervades the belief of night,
May beauty sleep lightly within your heart.
+ John O'Donohue, from Benedictus: A Book of Blessings , Bantam Press 2007
National mediator, consultant, speaker, author
2 年The photograph, your thoughts, and O’Donohue’s poem remind me to appreciate what is and discard the compelling arrogance of a critical eye that often misses beauty. ?? Sue Heatherington
Developmental Editor, Creative Writing Coach, Workshop Leader, Animal Communicator
2 年I love his sense of beauty as an unfolding and, at the same time, a deepening.