Learning Beauty

“Let the youth be taught to look for beauty in all he sees, to embody beauty in all he does, and the imagination will then be both active and healthy.”

– Orison Swett Marden

(1850-1924) Author / Publisher

There is a beauty you find in a walk in the woods that cannot be compared.  For the minds and hearts open to true beauty, it can be found everywhere they go.  There is great beauty in art, music, poetry, a good book, play or even a conversation with a friend.  Sadly, people are in such a rush and busy with the cares of the day that they miss so much that is beautiful.  Even sadder, they miss the opportunity to teach this beauty to our young.

                How do you teach beauty?  It is not like you can force others to see the beauty you do.  One of the reasons I believe so many people miss beauty all together is that they were never taught that it was there.

                Success-minded people need to share an appreciation of beauty with other, especially the young.  This appreciation is something that cannot be rushed or lightly touched on.  It is that walk in the woods, where you can be quiet and listen to the rustle of leaves and the moving of the wind.  It is the time it takes not to look at a tree, but to study it.  Helping others to see its majesty and strength as it stands among the army of its peers, branches weaving through each other like one great hug.

                Beauty can be shared by seeing more than a painting or work of art, but teaching others to see the soul of the artist.  They learn to pause and see that art really does imitate life and that life is a beautiful thing.  They learn to hear and touch what is around them for more than just noise and comfort.  Learning to be a part of a great piece of music or the dance that moves the inner you to the core.

                One of the greatest tools to help other discover beauty and to stimulate the imagination is to teach them to read.  Learning to read is more than the ability to make out words on paper, it is to experience life and adventure and learning through the words of another.  There is no greater gift one person can give to another than the ability to read.  To teach another to really read is to give them the universe as their own.

                Take time for beauty.  Take time to share it with those you love and those who you have had the honor of sharing with.  Not only is this an opportunity to improve the life of someone, it is you opportunity to change the world for the better.

                You matter!  You matter to the world and to yourself.  Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.

John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Life Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2014 John Patrick Hickey