''Beauty awakens the soul to act.'' (Dante Alighieri)
Some say that ''beauty is a key part of how we understand and
interact with the world around us''.
Having the ability to appreciate beauty,
some even view as a basic human need.
However, when it comes to defining exactly what makes something
beautiful, well, opinions often differ.
This, in my view, is because the perception of beauty is
a subjective experience.
Some research suggests that our ability of being able to appreciate
beauty rest with our ''stored'' (memories/thoughts) experiences of beauty,
plus our emotional state of mind at the time of the encounter.
No matter how glorious a sunrise may sparkle before us,
if we are feeling depressed or bilious while watching it, I
doubt that we would be able to truly appreciate it.
As far as I can ascertain, in order for us to be able to appreciate
beauty we need to be emotionally available and open in order
to do so.
Allowing beauty to ''awaken our souls'' we may
find ourselves surprised at our emotional response.
''The sunrise was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes.''
''Listening to the music made me feel so happy that I
had to get up and dance.''
''Touching the dolphin's beautiful body made me feel sad.''
Beautiful things can evoke a number of different emotions
in us such as: awe, wonder, admiration, fascination,
inspiration, etc. etc. as well as joy and sadness.
Even perhaps at times, ..... a sense of timelessness.
What may make someone hold their breath at the sight of a rare
flower, bird, painting, building, seascape, landscape, etc.
etc. may leave someone else indifferent.
Beauty, though mostly subjective, is often influenced by
culture, tradition, environment, media and upbringing.
Something that may at our first encounter seem uninteresting and
ordinary may change as we learn and come to understand more
of/about that something.
When I first arrived in Australia I found it very hard to
appreciate and see the beauty of the Australian landscape.
To me it was just brown, scraggly and deadly.(literally!)
(Mind you, I arrived here in the midst of bush fires and
drought.)
However, after a number of walks in the rainforest, walks on the
beach with its crystal blue waters and white soft sand, I
started to change my opinion.
As time passed I discovered more and more beauty.
Unbelievably colourful and beautiful birds, butterflies,
fishes, trees, etc. etc. and yes, even insects.
(This is a water colour/ink painting of an Australian Fairy wren
I made.)
In my eyes, even an old and rusty chain can be a thing of beauty.
Although we perceive almost 80% of our impressions by sight,
we do also use our sense of smell, taste, touch, and what we hear
when we determine if something is beautiful to us or not.
''That perfume smells beautiful, last night I had a beautiful
tasting curry, the touch of the wool was beautiful,
the opera singer had a beautiful voice, etc. etc.''
What has been discovered is that when we experience beauty,
we get a dopamine boost.
In short, beauty makes us feel good.
''Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it,'' so says
Confucius.
Perhaps one could also say: ''There is beauty everywhere and in
everything but not everyone takes the time to notice it.''
Beauty, it seems to me, is not something one scrolls through,
nay, it needs our attention or else we may fail to notice and
appreciate it.
about the image: Acrylic on canvas
My attempt at painting a beautiful woman
in a Traditional Japanese inspired style.
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