Seeing the Beauty Around Us

What did you notice when you woke up this morning and started your day?  Was it beauty?  If you’re anything like me, you might not see much of anything until after a cup of coffee.  But once my eyes begin to focus, I attempt to make a regular habit of looking at the beauty I see all around me.   Actually, I believe that seeing beauty all around us is a habit we can all develop to create a happier life.

Of course, I realize that some people might argue that they don’t live in the most attractive home or neighborhood.   But that doesn’t really matter because beauty isn’t contingent upon extravagance or value.   As long as you make your space pleasing to yourself, that’s what counts.  Even the most humble of homes can be made brighter with fresh flowers, special objects, art, or simply a living plant.  Plus, waking up and looking into the eyes of someone you love, can be the most beautiful thing in the world.  (Dogs and kitties included!)

There is a Buddha quote that definitely applies to seeing beauty.  It is, “We don’t see the world as it is, we see the world as we are.”  In other words, if you are unhappy or discouraged, chances are you won’t see anything of beauty no matter where you are looking.  On the other hand, when you are at peace and your soul is joyful, just about everything glows.   With that in mind, if you aren’t seeing beauty around you, perhaps the greatest home improvement project starts out by working within.

Another great way to make seeing beauty all around us is to establish habits that make it a regular part of your day.  One way to do that would be to listen to catchy song like Macy Gray’s  “Beauty in the World.”  I dare you to listen to this song and not only get happy—but watch the attached photos in the video and see how amazing and gorgeous even simple and every day things can be when we take the time to look.

Today I encourage you to take the “A” in SMART Living and see the artful and beautiful things that exist all around you.

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.”  ~Kahlil Gibran