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November 28, 2009 9:43 AM-


photo taken 27 October 2007

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.
Beautiful people do not just happen." ~ Elizabeth Kubler Ross

I stumbled on this quote while visiting Susannah and it followed me home.

Now I sit, trying to put into words why it resonates with me so deeply. First, I suppose, is the relief in accepting beauty as the result of overcoming difficulty-- much like a pearl built on grit-- as opposed to pushing it away as someone else's bounty.

Mostly, though, this quote feels to me the best description of what infuses a person, place or thing with beauty. It's not the heavily lacquered pretty pretty of Hollywood with its false lashes, that's for sure. How much do we seize upon a crippled tree and celebrate its resilience for sprouting a new, stronger branch from its shattered base? How much do we favor the one lopsided dish with a failed glaze over the machined perfection of a stack of white porcelain bowls? Well, at least I do.

((Good thing there's no teething toddler in this house to get a mouthful of paint chips from any number of peeling surfaces-- doors, benches, hutches-- you name it. If it's old and peeling, I'll find a place for it)).


photo taken 27 October 2007

I sometimes wonder if people choose to focus on the negative, the ugly, the conflicts, the pain because to allow the beauty in-- to truly sit and let it wash over you is simply overwhelming. That there is so much beauty right here, right now all around us that we don't know how to receive it and the sensation is almost unbearable, so we instead give our attention to what is more comfortable, more known-- what has been passed down to us through the ages, what is sanctioned by those around us: pain, suffering, blame, guilt, conflict, etc.

But then, if beauty comes forth from the smelting, the point can't be to rid ourselves of the forge and all of its instruments, but to participate in the process and find our way beyond our misshapen molten slagness, non?


photo taken 27 October 2007

Okay, that's quite enough of that. Somebody clearly needs to go grab a pack of twizzlers and watch some Monty Python. And, I actually had created (in my head obvs, nothing written down) a quiz to identify how well you know Rice Krispie Treats that would be much more appropriate to some Saturday morning blogging, but that was last night as I was bopping about the kitchen and I only just remembered it in this moment. Alas, too late now.

Thank god there's always another day, another brain dump.

Bisous, E

P.S.: of course, it's better said in song, obvs--so, doh, next time I start waxing philosophic when I should be watching cartoons, tell me (gently) to put a RKT in it . .

One Day, Matisyahu, via White Hot Truth



got 2 cents?



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Tracey says:
Profound thoughts for the day. Nice. I like to imagine that the collection of our (yours, mine, theirs) brokenness and struggles forms a mosaic masterpiece, one that links us, enlightens us and heals us. But then again, I'm an incurable, unapologetic Pollyanna.
posted on: November 28

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alexis says:
absolutely beautiful sunrises
posted on: November 28

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lizardek says:
Well, tragedy & sorrow are pretty darn overwhelming too, but if I had to choose my druthers when it comes to overwhelming, I'll pick the beauty sid every time. Or the RKT, natch.
posted on: November 28

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Megsie says:
Your words are as beautiful as the sunrises in those spectacular photographs. "I sometimes wonder if people choose to focus on the negative, the ugly, the conflicts, the pain because to allow the beauty in-- to truly sit and let it wash over you is simply overwhelming." So true, especially when one looks inward. It is so difficult to see the beauty and the blessings there, and much easier to see the short-comings, mistakes, and ugliness. It takes a lot of work to see the beauty.
posted on: November 28

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Cupcake says:
I really like what you said -- "a pearl built on grit." Hm. We have all overcome a difficulty in our lives, and look -- we're still standing -- and we're stronger for it. Well, stronger on some days more than others, but here we are, able to enjoy these lovely photos. Your comments and photographs really help me so much. So much.
posted on: November 28

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bella says:
I've been down -way down- in the depths of yuck many a time. I've also climbed mountains to get to the other side, and believe me when I tell you, being open to the other end of it - the shower of real happiness at the end - is a beautiful thing. Right now, my situation finds me back in the depths, but I know what waits for me further down the road. It's all ebb and flow for me because while I truly do not seek the dark (i kind of just find myself there?) I do fight my best to let the light in and fight my way back to a good place. These photos are stunning, my friend. And? Twizzlers sound perfect right about now. xo
posted on: November 29

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Michelle Shopped says:
the ecstasy of st theresa: exquisite ecstasy and beauty through pain -- the unbearable lightness of being -- and matisyahu? ever since i discovered his cd in my daughter's car it is my favorite cruising -- er, driving -- soundscape...
posted on: November 29

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Swirly says:
Beauty is everywhere...especially amongst the thorns.
posted on: November 29

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Sorry, comments are now closed.




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