Beauty

In an instant beauty has the ability to move one away from the bustle of practical life and self absorption to a moment of timeless contemplation. Beauty helps one discover new depths in a momentary feeling of the eternal or the transcendent.

Beauty is subjective. Not everyone is equally moved by beauty nor even agrees on what is beautiful. Cultural upbringing contributes to one’s sense of beauty. All human beings need beauty to feel inspired and awakened by life. Beauty in nature, in visual art, in music, in humanity has the power to shift a mood. Those without access to beauty, as may be the case for prison inmates and even nursing home residents, may experience depression, paranoia, and meaninglessness.

Awakening a feeling of beauty and awe in an older person is healing and often transforming. One of the wonders of beauty is that a mountain top view or a single flower can be the source of equally moving experiences. Therefore, making sure that all human beings, particularly those with limited access to the outside world, can experience manifestations of what is beautiful to them seems a basic human right. Given its elixir-like way of interacting with emotions taking note of things beautiful at every opportunity is good preventative medicine. Its timeless quality can also be a wonderful remedy for feeling trapped in time when life narrows and one’s options become fewer.