There is beauty in everything

“AHH,” I breathed in. “What beauty!”

I had sat down at my computer and opened it up while my eyes blinked, spellbound. Staring back at me from the screen was a beautiful waterfall. Within my mind, I felt myself standing beside the sight and feeling the tiny wet sprinkles on my skin. As the water cascaded down over the layered rocks, I felt God’s power everywhere. It felt like a magical fairy tale as the waves of water tumbled gracefully downward, curving to fit its path. “What a sight for onlookers and hikers to see,” I thought, and if for only a moment, to meditate on, and, feel themselves living within my world of awe. It was surreal, and, to think that all my joy was living in my mind only. All my realistic imaginings was coming from my vision of the beautiful view of a gorgeous mural on my computer.

There is beauty in everything. Even that which may seem bad, contains beauty somewhere within — inside what’s happening, seen, or felt. It is important that we search to see what’s hidden or what’s in plain sight. Our minds can, sometimes, play tricks on us as to what we perceive to be beautiful or ugly. I have a sizable back-yard and the landscape is pretty when the grass is lush and green. At those times, I see beauty and feel enjoyment when I look outside. However I can also focus on the amount of work that it takes to keep the grass cut, and growing, when rain is sparse. When I concentrate on the amount of money and work that it takes, I have to reach inside my mind and recall the picturesque views that are present when the dry and parched vegetation is exhibiting its glamorous showmanship. Then I see, within my mind, the results of the tedious, work that will again bring beauty to my yard.

A huge tree limb fell during a windstorm recently. Whereas the back-yard had once been a treat for the eye, that opinion of beauty now provided a vision consisting of fallen tree limbs, and dead leaves. Instead of offering rest and tranquility, the scene had become a shocking reality of destruction. Thinking of the trouble, expense, and work that had been spent on the area, I had to remember how the space had looked before the limb had broken. I felt like giving up on trees because of the maintenance they require. Then, I realized that the beauty of the lawn would return, once again, when all the debris was cleaned up and hauled away. I saw even more beauty in the situation when my daughter and son-in-law voluntarily cut and transported the wood to the city dump, against my strongest protestations. Life is indeed filled with beauty, but we may have to dig to find it. Only, we, can find our own beauty in some circumstances because, only we can connect the wonder of who and what is involved — but the wonder is always there.

Finding the beauty all around us is quite simple. We have to look at the positive, rather than focusing on the negative. There truly is always a silver lining in each cloud. Rain and storms, either within our perceptions, or within reality, possess meaning, but it’s up to us to recognize the signs, Although beauty is usually perceived as being seen through the eyes, Christian Scripture places a different slant on beauty. Rather than empathizing the outward appearance of nature, life’s events and tragedies, Philippians 4:8 advises us in this way.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable , if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think upon these things. The Scripture provides further evidence that our mind controls how we feel about life. We are to keep positive, looking at what’s good instead 0f what’s going wrong. This frame of mind is difficult, many times, but nothing was ever gained through negatively, ugliness and despair, except misery. We can depend on God to make all things good. “We know that all things work together for good of those who love him “(Romans 8:28).

Ellen Shuck holds degrees in psychology, religious education and spiritual direction. She is the author of the book, “Wisdom for the Journey.”