I love the symmetry, the ingenuity, the poetry of words—and how they marry to create the most vivid of pictures. But I also love when those words stir my passions because they are so perfectly reminiscent of the world in which we are living, or a reminder to look beyond that world. There’s just something about a story, a poem, a single sentence that can change your ugly perspective and make it sing.
I mentioned not long ago that I had begun reading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Well, I came across a short passage in book 1 (“The Eye of the World,” page 709) that I want to share here because when I read it, the words—and the meaning behind them—jumped off the page and filled my heart with awe and maybe even a little consternation. You know those moments where you see or read or even hear something, and it touches you so deeply that you wonder how you ever lost sight of it in the first place? That’s why I adore the written word. It’s so enchanting, so profound, so moving. And it doesn’t matter the genre either, I’m coming to realize. I used to think of fantasy as, well, fantasy, with no deep roots in the more “classic” literature. Boy was I wrong! The more I delve deeper into this realm, the more drawn in I become, to the stories, the words, the imagery, the fantasy of it all! And to the authors, whose imaginations know no bounds. I revere them, truly. Anyway, I’m moving off subject. 😊 Here’s the line I’m referring to:
“There is a different beauty in simplicity, in a single line placed just so, a single flower among the rocks. The harshness of the stone makes the flower more precious.”
So simple, but it struck a chord because right now we’re living in a time of severe strife, political unrest, prejudice, and injustice—in an environment filled to the brim with hatred, judgment, denial, distrust, and indifference. It’s so easy to get caught up in that and feel jaded, pessimistic, and cynical about humanity and our place in the world. But then I’ll come across something like the passage above and I’m reminded that all it takes is one image, one person, one rose without its thorns to sow the seeds of hope, happiness, and peace. Despite all the negativity, there is still so much beauty to be found. And I don’t mean half a world away; I’m talking about right in front of us and all around. Here’s what that looks like for me (I’m usually not this chipper on a Monday morning but it helps that tomorrow marks the beginning of fall and we’re coming up on my most favorite time of year!):
- The clean, crisp scent of autumn
- The vibrant red, yellow, and purple mums scattered across yards of green and porches of white
- The smoky essence of an evening fire
- A Halloween tree in the empty corner of your home—a stand-in for my beloved storybook Christmas tree but a festive one at that!
- A heartfelt text from a loved one or friend
- The deep, full-bodied aroma of coffee wafting through the air (we live near the Nestlé factory) and a steamy cupful on a cold, blustery day
- Leaves fluttering in the breeze or scratching against the sidewalk—the first hint of fall
- A butterfly settling daintily upon a pretty petal
- An American flag set against the backdrop of a crystal-clear sky
- The sound of children’s laughter in the distance
- The gentle lapping of a fountain or bumbling brook
- A shining sun peeking through wispy, white clouds
- The quiet stillness as evening fades into darkness
- White candles flickering in shadowed windows at Christmastime
- The silent, yet haunting, sound of freshly falling snow
- That first note of Christmas music after a long year of anticipation
- The delicacy of an intricately woven spiderweb
- The smell of fresh-cut grass or the earth after a rain shower
- A glistening rainbow on the heels of a storm
- The snow-covered branches of winter trees in Central Park
- The first bloom of color on a bare, lonely branch
- Cinderella Castle sparkling in the night
- A black sky littered with stars, planets, and constellations
- The smell of freshly baked bread or a spicy, cinnamony apple pie
- A Thanksgiving feast spread across a decked-out dining room table; family gathered all around
- A green-covered garden that finally begins to blossom and bear fruit
- A random handwritten letter in the mail
- A years-old hand-me-down Christmas tree twinkling with reds, greens, blues, and whites
- Ryan Stewart’s “Autumn” playing softly in the wee hours of a Monday morning
- A big bowl of chicken noodle soup for the weary soul
- A warm blanket and a soft pillow at the end of the day
- A quiet, peaceful stroll along the water
- A leafless tree stark and solitaire upon a naked field
- A hug or an “I love you” from your child when you need it the most
- A child’s unadulterated excitement on Christmas morning
- A wrapped gift bearing your name and a warm smile on the face of the one bestowing it
- Heads bowed in prayer
- That first bite of refreshing watermelon or that first dip in a sparkling pool on a hot summer day
- Fireflies lighting up the night sky
- Silence and a glass of wine after a long day of child-rearing
I could go on and on. When you really stop and think about it, we are truly blessed with so much beauty, so much wonder, so much life. It just often goes unnoticed when you’re operating on autopilot to survive the daily grind. And when you’re constantly bombarded by the ugly. Which is why I try to grasp these moments as they come and hold on to them for as long as I’m able. They are so … fleeting.
At least I’m starting my week on a positive note, though. Just writing this post somehow made me feel lighter, and that in itself is something to be grateful for. So, thank you, Robert Jordan for your story, your words, your simplicity. And thank you, friends, for reading. I hope this blog inspires your own list of otherworldly beauty! Feel free to share them below; I would love to hear them!