Beauty over Substance
The lake was glass calm. The kind of calm that makes me re-live the Summer of 1990 all over again. Skiing every day. Brown leather skin. A calming of my own going on inside me.
We drove up to the lookout tower so we could not only see the lake, but the other 4000 lakes as well. We could see the trees going on for miles, as if they were scribbled across a canvas. From up there, we had a new perspective on the geography. A new perspective on life.
The town itself was not only small, it was old and somewhat lifeless in a way. We liked the town, but we wanted to love it. Love it like we did the lakes. Like we did the nature that surrounded it. The personality of the city just didn’t exude the charisma we were hoping for.
I looked at the lake again. I could not ignore the beauty that it held. The clear breathing I was experiencing could also not be disregarded either, seeing as it’s been a while since I haven’t been plugged up.
Do you look at the beauty, or do you look at the substance? Do you look at the old man sitting on the park bench, or the park that he’s sitting in? Our culture tells us to choose substance first and then search for beauty second. Our inner being tells us to surround ourselves with beauty and build the substance around it.
There is no right answer. As long as nature is always a part of your life, it will be a great one.
Photo c/o http://www.hdwallpapersinn.com/beautiful-nature-photography.html
Woh I love your posts, saved to my bookmarks!.
I have had so many years working as an engineer that I unfortunately often look at the type of bold that the bench the old man was sitting on, was put together with. but…. in my old age I am trying to spend more time looking for the beauty. 🙂
I think I know you well enough to know that you look for the beauty more than you think. Thanks for the comment, Eric.
My mother gave me one of the greatest compliments Ive ever had a couple years ago regarding my photography. My occupations land me in some of the wildest places on the planet. It also gets me into some places and situations that truly depress me, while in one of these locations I sent a photo home and was told that throughout the years I have always managed to find some beauty wherever I go. I guess thats true, just sometimes it does take some deeper vision to find it.
I was just reading something last night that reminded me that one of the keys to happiness is finding the beauty (or positive) in everything. Your Mom gave you some very wise advice.
One of my main Reasons2Ride!
Life around me became vibrant, beautiful and sweet,
When I took a view from a bicycle seat.
Awesome. Love it, Joel.