I hope everyone had a great week. I was having an inner dialogue with myself (actually, some people would say I was talking to myself!) about what my topic would be for this weeks blog. While I was doing this I was listening to Il Divo...the most amazingly awesome group of four men whose voices are the most beautiful I have ever heard. And that got me to thinking- what IS beauty? What kinds of things are considered beautiful? Is beauty REALLY in the eye of the beholder? And so this week's blog was born!
Merriam-Webster defines beauty as "The quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit." The origin of the word beauty can be traced to several places. In Middle English the derivative is "beaute" or "bealte". The Anglo-French derivative is "bel" or "beau" and in Latin it is from "bellus". The first known use of the word was in the 14th century. Kind of interesting how the word/concept was not really thought about until then. Yes, I'm sure there were many concepts of beauty and many people were aware of what was pleasing to them (see Merriam-Webster definition above), but the actual "putting it on paper" was not until the 14th century.
Every culture, every person celebrates beauty. The defining factors are different for everyone. For example:
Burma & Thailand consider the longer length of women's necks indicates more beauty. You've all seen the pictures of women with the multiple rings around their necks.
Japan considers soft and smooth skin beautiful.
China used to think foot binding was beautiful, until it was outlawed in 1912. However, it still goes on even in this century.
New Zealand's Maori believe in the T-Moko. This is a permanent body and face marking. Men on the face, buttocks and thighs, women only allowed on lips and chin.
Maasai people focus on a tidy appearance, jewelry, bright white teeth and short cropped hair.
Even different time periods had a different definition of beauty. Victorian women thought that the paler the skin the better. Many people of African descent have dreadlocks that symbolize their culture and some of the most beautiful clothing I have ever seen has been on women from some Middle Eastern countries.
Taking a step away from clothing, women in South Africa are seen as the curvier the more beautiful. In Jamaica curves are most definitely embraced while "skinny" women are frowned upon. And what about the United States? What is our "take" on beauty? What do we find beautiful? Where do we find beauty? Are we that different from any other culture?
Well, here is my "take". In my twenties and a portion of my thirties, I was very concerned about my physical appearance. Had to be tanned. Had to have the "right" highlights. Constantly worrying about my weight (for appearance sake). Was I wearing the "right" clothing?As I grew older and met different people along the way I realized that my definition of beauty was changing. Beauty can be found in everything and anything. You just have to look. In my opinion (which may or may not mean a whole lot to anyone but me!) the following list is where I find beauty and what I find beautiful.
(1) I find it incredibly beautiful when I see the satisfaction that emanates from a glow on a person after an objective has been accomplished. The satisfaction of a job well done!
(2) Big cats, medium cats, little cats. Are beautiful. Tigers, Cheetah, Lions=stunning. My cats, Delilah and Nightingale, are two of the most beautiful cats I have ever seen. A cat stretched out lounging in the sun! A cat prowling for it's prey and ready to pounce!!
(3) Dogs...we have a German Shepherd. The most beautiful breed there is...next to the dozens of other breeds/mutts that are just stunning.
(4) When a person smiles. A genuine, full-blown smile. Smile. It's beautiful. Trust me.
(5) Looking up at the sky and seeing Orion's Belt. "All is well in the world if you can see Orion's Belt". (Hana!!!)
(6) Heirloom tomatoes. Have you ever seen any of them? Amazing.
(7) Music. Music in any way, shape or form is beautiful. Il Divo, Mozart's String Quartets, Country Music (comes from the heart=beautiful), Rap(personal views expressed=beautiful), Pop/Rock( Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, CeeLo, Bruno Mars, all celebrate music by writing their own=beautiful), classical, blues, alternative...I could go on and on. Do I LOVE every type of music out there? Nope! (No AFI or Lincoln Park for me. Sorry Master Gardener!). But I will say that I have read a lot of music lyrics and 99.9% of them come from the heart, which in my book is beautiful.
And last but not least (8) one of the most beautiful things to see is a person with a good heart. A person who does good just to do good. Someone who does the "right" thing regardless of how uncomfortable it feels. Someone who makes mistakes and handles their life with grace and integrity. Now THAT'S beautiful.
Beauty is not being skinny or having the most expensive clothing or "things". Beauty is not going to the most expensive restaurants or having the "best" purse or pair of shoes. Beauty is intangible. Beauty is in a walk in the forest preserve. Beauty is in the sun rising over the houses in your backyard. Beauty is in seeing the skyline of Chicago as you head down 55 in the early evening or in looking up at the Field Museum from Soldier Field. It's also in the smile of all children (and adults too). Think about what YOU think is beautiful. Then appreciate your findings. There is SO much beauty all around. Stop and take a look.
You'll see it. I guarantee you that! I leave you with two of my favorite quotes on beauty:
"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it"... Confucius
"Beauty without grace is a hook without bait"... Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thanks for reading! As always eat well, stay healthy and be happy!!!
