About four years ago, the world was grappling with a pandemic. Some were breathing a sigh of relief from the end of a [fill in your favourite word] presidency. And others were oblivious to an impending invasion. Many other significant events happened worldwide that same year.
Then there was the personal… Exhausted and despondent, I poured my energy into a demanding poetry collection that ultimately kept me sane. During that liminal space, between the global and the personal, I also started project finding beauty. This act of finding beauty in simple things inspired a personal newsletter, I enjoy writing for my small readership.
What of it?
This year feels strangely similar to that time. The only difference it’s like we’re preparing for an unknown unknown, metaphorically speaking, though scientists call this Disease X.
Everything happening right now feels incredibly overwhelming. Given the ongoing suffering in the world, feeling and expressing joy can feel inappropriate and induce guilty. However, self-awareness, compassion, and perspective help me manage these feelings.
Beauty leads us all, finally, to the greatest questions of all, to the most significant quest of our lives.” – Ben Okri
Why do I insist on finding beauty?
Why then do I insist on finding beauty, such a frivolous pursuit? My short response: what’s the alternative? Simply put, appreciating small things helps me focus on daily moments and grounds me in the present, rather than straining to see what the future holds. This is not to escape reality, but to build the strength to face it.
Finding beauty in the mundane, helps me stay grateful. But the mundane is boring, right? That’s called life. Some people believe the secret to happiness is the ability to embrace the boring.
This practice helps me be satisfiable. You know that feeling of pure satisfaction, where you wouldn’t change a thing? The wonder of a starlit night or the comforting warmth of sunshine.
When I’m satisfiable and grateful, my heart opens to share the depth and breadth of the human experience with others.
How to notice such beauty?
Though everyday beauty is everywhere, it’s difficult to notice. Because we often take it for granted. Appreciating life’s simple gifts, acknowledging the surrounding abundance, and unexpected moments of joy and playful turns requires a focused mindset.
I start from the inside and challenge the incessant yearning for ideal conditions, a better life, a more just world, and all other things I have little or no control over. For me, poetry’s purpose and effect are one with beauty. It allows me to pause, notice and appreciate the ordinary things, and live a saner life amidst the chaos.
In all, I believe in having at least one thing we do for ourselves first. Something that grounds us in the present and helps us see the abundant beauty around, especially in these uncertain times.
What about you? Do you have a ground practice? I’d love to hear how you’re taking care of yourself, at present.
Happy Spring or enjoy the season you’re in!
I’m learning to practice stillness again. Sounds simple, yet in your reflections —-I feel as if my roots are showing and hiding is not an option.
May we continue to nurture inner abundance, regardless of the conditions! Wishing you a great week ahead.
“I start from the inside and challenge the incessant yearning for ideal conditions, a better life, a more just world, and all other things I have little or no control over. For me, poetry’s purpose and effect are one with beauty. It allows me to pause, notice and appreciate the ordinary things, and live a saner life amidst the chaos.”
Yes, yes, yes! Your post is a powerful reminder, Khaya, and beautifully written as always. 💖
I’m so glad you agree, Natalie. Thank you! <3
p.s. I've also been listening to your well articulated, inspiring and affirming conversation at Reinvention Rebel podcast. Thank you for that, too. 🙂
Oh, thank you Khaya! 💖 I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Yesss! Beauty is for everyone to be found and savored and honored. It’s not just for those in ‘power’ and no one can take beauty away from us. My ‘ground practise’? My morning wake-up ritual which includes just ‘being’ and enjoying a cuppa (or 2 or 3!) of Sumatra.
A state of being is beauty itself… and I can imagine you sipping your morning beverage, too. 🙂 Thank you for reading, and sharing your ground practice, Laura!
The pandemic certainly drew people inward, physically and socially. It has been fascinating to learn of how that experience led many to creative expression. ✨ Beautiful reflection, as you do. Happy spring, Khaya!
Thank you, Michele. May we continue to search for beauty that is so abundant in our daily lives! Wishing you a bright and joyous spring!
I hear you loud and clear and I couldn’t agree more!
Thank you!
I encountered alot of disturb in the past 10 yrs. In my darkest days, things would happen like a bushel of flowers randomly springing up near my stoop, someone offering to drive me somewhere, a friend randomly sending me a care package of Knick Knacks…all which created beauty during dark times. Beauty and moments of levity are SO valuable in those moments. As is a post like this, championing it’s value. <3
It’s in moments and kind gestures like these that we can beauty, joy and support. Thank you for popping by. I appreciate your comment.
<3
I love this. It’s all about perspective, right? We can focus on the negative or the positive, and our choice completely changes our experience. My suffering will not influence the big problems of the world; being miserable won’t fix anything. But it will make me miserable. After attempting suicide and going to a war zone, I try to hold onto anything beautiful. It’s all fleeting, and I want to appreciate it.
You’ve got this right, Christina. Life is full of misery, and yet we cannot underestimate the power of choice… and where we focus our attention. Keep holding on and cherishing the beauty of your life and in your life!
Thank you for this thoughtful and thought provoking post.
Satisfiable is a new to me, but profound word.
I think I have previously said that your words bring to mind the Keatsian conundrum of “beauty is truth, truth beauty”.
To answer your question, I find solace is stillness
Yes, you indeed once mentioned the Keatsian conundrum. I once confessed in an interview that I had a crush on Keats in my youth.:-) That is, he is one of the poets whose work truly made me fall in love with poetry. Perhaps, and not intentionally, I’m always trying to make sense of his conundrum. Thanks to you too Mariss for reading and sharing your grounding practice. May your April be as peaceful and grounding, much like the reliable rhythm of the changing seasons!
I understand your fascination with Keats ❤️
There seems to be no shortage of known unknowns and unknown unknowns cropping up, especially since the pandemic. Finding the good and beautiful things in life is good for the soul, providing a beacon of light to pierce the darkness.
Yesterday evening I took a short walk at sundown, watching the waxing gibbous moon grow brighter and take on more of a golden tone as the sun fled west to lands beyond the horizon. The last calls of birds at dusk, frogs gathering in number and beginning their nightly chorus. The sweet musky scent from blooming fruit trees drifting on the cooling air. These are all peaceful healing things. A video from a freelance animator in the Netherlands on the connectedness of life and death – Marsha Onderstijn’s “The Life of Death”, how Death fell in love with Life – strangely brings peace.
Hey Lavinia! Thank you for beautiful and poetic comment. 🙂 As I read it, I feel like I’m taking the evening walk with you and experiencing all the beauty in your surroundings. And what an intriguing take on how Death fell in love with Life! Thanks for sharing. Take care and keeping searching for beauty!
Yes, I agreed beauty is all around us and that we take it for granted. I am trying practicing to embrace small things which make a change for me. Thank for reminding us Khaya.🌸
Hey Shirlene! It’s my pleasure, and I appreciate you dropping by. It has never been more important than in these uncertain time to embrace and be grateful for the seemingly small things in our lives. Take care and keep searching for beauty! <3
Oh, my, Khaya. Thank you so much for this post. I needed it sooo badly. “Given the ongoing suffering in the world, feeling and expressing joy can feel inappropriate and induce guilt.” That’s how I’ve been feeling for months, and knowing that it’s my country doing this, makes it even worse. I feel like I have to apologize to every international friend on every post.
I really needed a way not to cry every day. Your post helped me see a way through this:
“Why then do I insist on finding beauty, such a frivolous pursuit? My short response: what’s the alternative? Simply put, appreciating small things helps me focus on daily moments and grounds me in the present … This is not to escape reality, but to build the strength to face it.”
What beautiful alternative. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Diana. I’m truly touched and glad this post met you where you are and brought some kind of solace. We live in turbulent times, marked by a highly divisive discourse and pointing of fingers. Yet there’s still so much beauty in the world to connect us to ourselves as well as remind us of our shared humanity. Look after yourself, my friend!
I was really moved by your post, Khaya, and carried words with me yesterday. I’ll try to do the same today.
<3
I feel the same way…
<3
thank you for this hopeful post!
It’s my pleasure, da-AL. Thanks to you, too, for reading!