Beauty

Description

Beauty is a sense of wonder and reverence for the harmony, color, and loveliness of the world. Beauty opens us to the deep patterns of life that inform and delight us. It allows us to feel our connectedness with all creation. It calls on us to look beyond the superficial appearance to appreciate the gifts in each person. Our creativity brings forth beauty in music, art, dance, and language. We practice beauty by creating a space of grace and order around us. We can reflect beauty in the way we dress, move, and speak. Living beautifully is a unique expression of our divine nature.

 The Practice of Beauty

• I spend time in the beauty of nature.
• I am inspired by the mysteries of life.
• I look for the good within everyone.
• I express my own creativity.
• I create a space of beauty and order around me.
• I speak and act graciously.

Definitions and practices of virtue are used with permission from the Virtues Project™.

In Family Life

The virtue of beauty in a family manifests itself through the harmonious interplay of love, respect, and empathy among its members. It is demonstrated in the warmth of shared laughter around the dinner table, the gentle embrace of a parent comforting a child, and the willingness of family members to listen and understand one another’s perspectives.

Beauty in a family is not just skin-deep; it lies in appreciating each member’s unique qualities and cultivating a nurturing environment where every individual can flourish. It’s how a family weaves a tapestry of memories, supports each other’s dreams, and faces challenges with unwavering unity, creating a picture of love and togetherness that transcends mere appearances.

Balancing Beauty

The virtue of beauty is a profound and enriching quality that can bring depth and meaning to our lives. However, like any virtue, it can be taken to extremes if not properly balanced. Several other virtues can help maintain a balanced expression of the virtue of Beauty.

• Wisdom: Wisdom helps us discern when to appreciate and create beauty without becoming superficial or obsessed.
• Compassion: Compassion encourages us to see the inner beauty in people, going beyond appearances and judgments.
• Humility: Humility prevents us from falling into the trap of aesthetic elitism, reminding us that beauty is subjective.
• Gratitude: Gratitude helps us appreciate the beauty in the world around us, fostering a sense of wonder and connection.

Finding a balance between appreciating external beauty and nurturing inner beauty is essential. This balance can be achieved through self-awareness and self-reflection. The virtue of beauty is a precious gift that can enrich our lives. Still, like any virtue, it should be cultivated in moderation and harmony with other virtues to create a life of depth, meaning, and genuine connection with the world and others.