Beauty and the Soul: The Power of Everyday Beauty to Heal
April 04, 2014
As I write this, I look out my office window at the
greenness of spring in Florida —our
oak trees have mostly leafed out, my crepe myrtle has the tiniest bronze
leaflets clinging to its bare limbs and I know in time it will bear ruffley
lavender flowers. A cardinal is visiting the bird feeder, his red feathers
bright against the greens and browns of the front yard. I’m listening to
acoustic guitar music on Pandora, and I have my window open to smell all that
green leafiness and hear the birds’ songs more clearly. Not only do I enjoy
looking and listening to the beauty around me, I find that it has a calming and
uplifting effect on my mood.
While most people would not argue that beauty is nice, is it something we all need? Best-selling author Piero Ferrucci
thinks it is, and explores that topic in his book Beauty and the Soul: The Extraordinary Power of Everyday Beauty to Heal Your Life.
Ferrucci believes that beauty is an essential ingredient in
a happy, healthy life. He writes, “Beauty plays a central role in our decision
to be here. The more we can perceive
beauty in our surroundings, and also inside us, the more we will feel at home
and glad to exist. Some perceive beauty in the sound of rain and shape of
clouds, in people’s faces and voices, in birdsong and the rustling of leaves.
Some see it in modern design or ancient embroidered silk, in a cathedral’s
stained glass or an advertising poster, in the flowering of intelligence or in
altruism, in musical phrasing or the melodic rhythm of poetry, in the dynamism
of a statue or the lightness of a dance. For such people the world is a place
of great interest, of continuing amazement. Their relation with life is erotic:
They are in love with life.”
Ferrucci also notes that contact with beauty makes us less
angry and anxious, and that Swedish studies indicate that those who attended theater,
movies, concerts and exhibitions have a greater chance of longevity. One
explanation is that beauty stimulates the immune system.
Of course, beauty doesn’t just exist in cultural events and
experiences. Beauty is everywhere—we just need to notice it. To improve our
ability to seek and find beauty, Ferrucci suggests keeping a diary of what we
find beautiful, slowing down and paying more attention to what is all around us
(“Hurry usually obliterates all forms of beauty”), and removing the attitudes
that hamper beauty (“I don’t deserve it, it’s a waste of time, there are better
things to think about…”). As he notes, “Attention is nourishing. Anything we
give our interest to grows and develops. Anything we neglect or ignore
atrophies. Attention is like a spotlight on a theater stage. It gives emphasis.
The world is what it is, but we provide the accent. We look for beauty, give it
our vital interest, create space for it. Then beauty will proliferate for us.”
Beauty lifts up the soul, lightens burdens, gives hope and
inspiration—all things we so desperately need in this world. If we seek beauty
in our lives, we will add to our happiness.
What do you find beautiful? How can you add beauty to your
days?
4 comments
Ah Kathy - this post really touches me. First and foremost I can picture setting close the window and taking in the spring and all it holds. Today when I took my walk I heard the Robin's song and looked and on a nearby branch she/he sat singing in the rain. That was what I found beautiful today! Have a great week-end.
ReplyDeleteFabulous post. Where attention goes, energy flows…whether it's to the good stuff or the not so good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI had to write a paper back in my college days and I had to use very diverse sources and one I used was Viktor Frankl. He talked a lot about how beauty sustained him in that miserable, wretched time of life. It's a thought I carried forward with me.
Today, I was admired the gorgeous blue flowers blooming by my front door (don't know the name) and a certain fuzzy girl was standing in the sunlight this morning and I notice hints of copper glinting in the sun.
Thanks for reminding me to take notice!
Debbie--I can imagine taking a walk and hearing a robin singing in the rain! So much beauty around us if we only have eyes to see it. Hope you have a great weekend, too.
ReplyDeleteLaure--You're welcome. It's a particularly lovely time of year here, made more so by the knowledge of what's to come in summer! Glad you could take the time to notice the beauty right outside your door and share it with us.
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