The power of beauty

I was recently reminded of the power of beauty--it takes our breath away and transports us.  It is powerfully restorative and connects us to our innate sense of wonder.

I revisited my favourite artwork—the statue of David in Florence--with my cousins who had never seen it. I felt so lucky to be there to watch them have the experience for the first time. The statue is mesmerizing for me every time I see it and I love to share it. I can feel my wonder and remember their wonder as I sit here writing about.

Beauty has been a refuge for me for a long time. When I was working in a high stress, frustrating and often dismissive environment, I would walk to a nearby gallery and spend a few minutes looking at beautiful things. It soothed and restored me and I could go back to work with a renewed sense of myself and what needed to be done.

Taking the time notice beauty is important and sustaining for me. Whether it’s someone’s smile, a flower, a sparkle, sunshine, art, a moment—I try to see the beauty even in the difficult times. I try to stop and notice it. I try to feel it. I try to relish and remember it. 

Hold on to beauty in all its forms—it will remind you that awe is all around us all the time if we take the time to pay attention.