I have a thesis and it is this: Beauty is a forgotten transcendental, and we must recall the importance of it again. It is good for me, and good for you. This is of paramount importance, no matter which angle you come at it from: philosophical, therapeutic or theological. The case for beauty can be made strongly from any one of these paradigms.

I want to suggest that beauty is absolutely everywhere, if we have eyes to see it (the obvious places are nature, like viewing a sunrise, having an awe-inspiring experience, or listening to a beautiful piece of music; a less obvious place we find it might be in the people around us, especially when it may seem buried deep and take work to find it).

Beauty is for all people to enjoy, and it is a deeply theological topic that is best understood in it’s right place: as a transcendental attribute of God (Goodness, beauty and truth being the attributes of God according to particularly Catholic doctrine).

From a theological perspective, beauty is an ‘on purpose’ thing for all people to enjoy. It points us back to the creator and originator of beauty. Beauty is a small taste of the glory of God. This is why cathedrals with yawning ceilings, craftsmanship and amazing stained glass windows just inspire admiration, awe and a quiet “wow” moment. That is no accident. Visually beautiful spaces give us a tangible glimpse of God. Our religious buildings (particularly modern protestant churches) today tend to be practical, functional…made for purpose (buildings are expensive, i get it…) yet…as a result…I think we miss that element of awe and miss the opportunity to reflect and point people back to God’s beauty when our buildings are just….meh. Functional.

“Beauty, by definition, elevates and gives pleasure to the mind and senses. It engages us on multiple levels. We participate in beauty. Genesis 1 and 2 tell us that we are made in God’s image, meaning we were created to be creative.

The pursuit of goodness, the pursuit of truth, and the pursuit of beauty are, in fact, foundational to the health of any community.”

— Russ Ramsey, Rembrandt Is In The Wind

Ways To See, Create and Enjoy Beauty

I want to have eyes to notice the beauty in other people. Beauty lies in their honest stories, their humanness, their struggles. Humans are just so beautiful, even on their worst day and in their worst moments. You are so beautiful. Humans are crazily complex works of art. Modern science is forever playing catch up to understand the mechanics of the human design. Why not make it a priority to look for beauty in the humans around you? Why not call it forth, and remind people of it when they don’t see it in themselves?

I also want to cultivate spaces and atmospheres that welcome people, and inspire them. Beauty invites participation, and I want to participate by creating more of it. I want my house to be beautiful. To be welcoming. To be aesthetically pleasing. Visually interesting. So, I invest in (cheap) furniture and give it a fresh life and coat of paint, and have fun with designing spaces in my house that inspire.

Why not do that too? How can you make your space beautiful, or welcoming? (Tip: Facebook marketplace is the actual best, and none of the ‘making spaces beautiful’ stuff needs to cost much).

What about drawing a picture- who cares how quality it is? (And..there’s the art therapist in me coming out. It’s the process, the enjoyment, of making art, that can be beautiful, not just the aesthetic quality..bonus if you get both)

“It is with the reading of books the same as with looking at pictures; one must, without doubt, without hesitations, with assurance, admire what is beautiful.”

— Vincent Van Gogh

I want to share some recent things that I have found to be beautiful or inspiring.

Book

“Rembrandt Is In The Wind” is brilliant. I highly recommend it if you’re interested in the arts, art history, or beauty. Chapter one is on beauty.

Music

I heard the Israeli national anthem Hatikvah for the first time recently and found it to be such a hauntingly lovely piece of music. Here is an instrumental.

Architecture

I was at UQ’s Herston School of Medicine campus last week and….what a beauty this campus is. Just..inside and out, it is magnificent.

Nature

I’m not good with plant names but look at that magenta colour of this beauty in my backyard. Anyone know what its called? Let me know. But every time I walk past it I admire the colour.

Art

Hugh Sawrey is a 20th Century Australian artist I love. A distant relative on my husbands side (hey, I’m claiming it..lol). What I love is he painted every day people in their every day settings and obviously saw beauty in the people and the landscape. He documented what he saw. I love that.

‘Arrival At The Outstation’
Medium:Oil on Board
Size:21 x 30 cm

So, how can you notice and enjoy beauty today? (view it…make it…cultivate it..appreciate it…make space for it..?)