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Beauty

Yesterday, I was contemplating the importance of spiritual health in a world so obsessed by materialism and consumerism. At the risk of sounding Scrutonesque, I concluded that observing beauty is an integral part of spirituality. Our spirits soar within and a light enters our being when our eyes behold an object of resplendent beauty. This might be in the form of a delicate butterfly, a majestic painting or a ray of light on a crisp, winter morning. The older I get, the more I consciously look for beauty. I may be accused of escapism, but I think this is what keeps me sane in the face of realism. The day my spirit is not inspired is a dark day. It appears that the world is trying to fill us with darkness and pessimism - just watch the news for five minutes or go to a modern art gallery where ugliness is presented as art. The majority of our cities are ugly, vulgarity prevails in our songs, films and theatres, nothing is sacred anymore. If this is where we keep our focus, our spirits will inevitably be depressed.

Today, I will be looking for beauty. I want it to fill me, inspire me, and transport me into the spiritual realm. Beauty leads to the Light of this world.
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