Beauty and Wonder

Our hearts need peace and joy and this often comes from things that are beautiful and that fill us with wonder. We often miss the things of beauty all around us. We need to correct this and do this a lot more. Stop, be still and find the things that are beautiful and fill us with wonder. The definition of beauty is different for everyone, but I will share some examples of what I find beautiful and that fill me with awe and wonder so that through that you might find things that are beautiful around you too and perhaps even things that fill you with awe too. Examples are: Flowers Butterflies and insects Birds Sunrises and sunsets Mountains Clouds and rainbows Bodies of water Campfire Paintings Sculpture Poetry, literature, plays Music Other examples: lead glass windows, wood carvings, jewellery, tapestries, clothing (kimonos, sarees, uniforms) Architecture and landscaping/ gardens (Ancient wonders of the world/ Castles, churches and cathedrals) Frescoes Night scenes and scenes with light Women (to men), e.g. a wife or muse Love and relationships, e.g. married couples being married for decades, fellowship For men: Sports cars, fighter jets, golf, cricket or other sport Beauty of God's love for us through Jesus' death on the cross and working in our lives every day Night sky (Photos courtesy of NASA) We all go through a transformation or metamorphosis of some kind similar to the ugly duckling that became a beautiful swan. Where does beauty and wonder fit into that? Stop, enjoy, admire, delight in the beauty and wonder around you and experience it. Appreciate the efforts of the artist. What do you find beautiful? Do you even notice it? Beauty and wonder helps us understand ourselves and others. It reminds us of how great God is and it fills us with joy and delight. IT might also inspire creativity in us as well. Beauty and wonder also provides a greater perspective of things, e.g. astronauts seeing planet earth in the blackness on returning from the moon. It's not just about you. It's about so much more. Appreciate and be grateful for it. We all need awe and wonder to grow deeper roots so we can rise higher. Pursue the beauty that touches your heart, pursue wonder, share it with others. Let it remind you of who you are and the incredible creation we are all part of.