Beauty attracts. But more than that, beauty has the power to inspire, educate, uplift, and transform. And in this ever-changing, chaotic world, the power of beauty is a force we need more than ever to remind us of our better selves.
How we define beauty, starting with nature
Beauty is often considered subjective. But there is some objectivity to beauty as well.
Although standards of beauty are subject to opinion, few could deny nature’s beauty. Its universal faculty to affect the senses takes us beyond ourself and our immediate surroundings to a vast universe of possibility — to somewhere potentially much greater.
Nature’s beauty evokes emotions that remind us we are part of a greater whole. This can be simultaneously awe-inspiring and humbling.
What varies in the definition is how it affects us. Even with the universality of nature’s beauty, stormy seas may calm one person, while another becomes agitated. Yet both remain touched by nature’s power.
Connecting values to beauty
How we choose to define beauty reveals much about who we are and therefore, reflects what we value. And since values stand for what we believe in, reinforcing our identity, they serve as a reassuring force in a tumultuous world. They ground us into what is immovable within us, despite an externally changing landscape.
If we only had to agree on nature’s beauty and come together on inherent values, perhaps we could form a treatise for unity using nature’s beauty solely. But there are multiple categories of beauty and considerable subjectivity within those categories.
Additional categories of beauty
Some additional categories of beauty have more subjectivity than others.
Physical beauty
Aesthetic appearance is perhaps the most subjective beauty category of all. There is no universally accepted standard of physical beauty, reinforcing the truth of the quote “beauty is in the eye of the beholder“.
Yet it might be the beauty category with the most opinions. This form of beauty instinctively attracts us. We know what we like, and we are drawn to it.
But the appeal of this form of beauty is also in the creation of it for ourself. When we determine how we want to look and make the effort to create that, our mood improves, self-esteem rises, and social connection increases.
Regardless of the intention, creating beauty using oneself as a canvas, brings benefits beyond the satisfaction of self-expression. When an individual feels beautiful, they share that beauty with others, including the benefits.
Moral goodness
The inherent goodness within others reminds us of the beauty of humankind. We see the kindness of strangers, the support of family, friends, and neighbors. We witness how to treat others with respect and manners. We are reminded of integrity and know the importance of staying true to our values — being consistent in our thoughts, words, and actions. Moral goodness in others — seeing that beauty in them — makes us want to answer in kind.
Moral goodness evokes our values and gently reflects back whether we are living them in the way we’d like. It reminds us of what the world could be at its moral best.
Art
Similar to the category of nature, art is largely subjective. Yet the benefits of its perceived beauty impact us in similar ways.
Regardless of whether we are observing or creating art, beauty impacts us and weaves a certain spell. And while that spell may feel magical, it’s actually brain science. With both nature and art, as well as all we recognize as beautiful, our prefrontal cortex is stimulated and we calm.
Tapping in
If we can calm ourselves by tapping into the prefrontal cortex of the brain by merely looking at art we enjoy, or enjoying nature, we can create the opportunity to practice this as a regular discipline. And before it seems as if this will become a solitary venture, the prefrontal cortex is also associated with feelings of social connectedness, another trait we need in a world torn apart. Making art stimulates the right hemisphere of the brain, responsible for releasing neurotransmitters that result is a sense of serenity and well-being.
True Beauty
True beauty incorporates aspects of all categories. It is a reflection of values that mirror the individual observing.
The individual values shining back are what resonate and are a reflection of one’s true self. At any time, this is useful — a lovely pause in our day. But in a chaotic world, it is a reminder of who we are.
This reminder can serve to fuel us to become more beautiful ourselves. To more fully reflect our true values and show the best parts of ourself — in our physical reflection, our words, our work, our relationships — in all aspects of life.
Life transformed
Beauty inspires. It inspires us to do better, to be better, to create. It transports us to another time and place — a place where we envision a world where beauty lives permanently, not in season, not on display on exhibit.
In a turbulent world, chaos often dominates. An effective response to chaos is calm. Yet that can seem difficult to find.
Yet it is easily found in beauty. And beauty is easily found around us and within us.
Looking to reconnect with your values and the beauty within yourself? Perhaps you’d like How to Hear What You Know: A Course on Developing Your Intuition to Practically Guide You Through Life. More interested in private mentorship, or a development group? Contact me and we’ll chat.
