The Beauty of Our World

When we think of the beauty of our world, we usually first imagine a Caribbean sunset, a glassy mountain lake reflecting snowcapped mountains in the early summer, a sunny morning after a blizzard, a beautiful, fit girl in a skimpy bikini, or any number of classically beautiful sights.

Of course this is some of the most mesmerizing beauty our world has to offer, but if you pay attention, there’s tremendous beauty in even the most mundane scenarios. And recognizing and truly appreciating this usually-overlooked beauty definitely makes life more enjoyable.

The way milk swirls and mixes in black coffee, producing tiny bubbles on the surface, slowly combining to become a light shade of brown. The sound of the milk hitting the surface of the coffee. The smell.

The way light reflects off of everything. Notice even the reflection of the flourescent lights on your plastic water bottle, distorted with the surface, moving across the bottle as your perspective changes.

The way a loved one’s face lights up when he or she sees you. The simultaneous, involuntary movements of the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and forehead, combining to form a smile.

The way the smoke billows from the stacks in the city, thick, mutating within itself, rising into the sky.

The soft, yellow sunlight flowing in through your windows, warming the surfaces it touches, providing the entire room with a welcoming glow.

The way a pigeon nestles its head into itself when it sleeps. Pigeons are not generally considered beautiful birds, but if you ignore the idea of their being dirty city birds and actually look at one closely, you’ll notice its beauty. Metallic shades of green and purple shimmering on surface of their detailed, multi-shaded, gray and white feathers.

The way a weed can take root even in the hostile crack of a sidewalk.

The way a road narrows as it moves off into the distance.

If you’re anything like I used to be, you’ll say, “What the fuck? That shit is stupid and looks stupid and you’re stupid, stupid.” Maybe I am, maybe I’m not, stupid face. The truth is that everything is amazing. The way we perceive and interact with matter…the way everything works!

To preemptively answer the question that’s almost definitely on your mind: No, I’m not on drugs, nor do I do drugs. Maybe I should.

Today, go about your normal life but try to keep an eye out for the beauty that you usually overlook. Reignite the wonder which used to overwhelm you as a child who was new to this world, who didn’t take so many things for granted, who took joy in the simplest activities. I’m telling you, your day will be better than usual. It may even be the best day of your life.