It’s a question that is especially timely today given our feelings of uncertainty due to the global financial crisis, climate change, the tenuous state of imbalance we have in our relationships with the natural world or any number of things that give us a feeling of “dis-ease”.
When times are in a state of flux and change we instinctively turn to that which is beautiful. It’s more than a diversion – it’s a need.
We experience a very real pleasure in sensing expressions of unity and harmony. The more complete this unity and harmony, the more complete our pleasure and sense of well-being.
The harmonious relationship of the parts…
The degree of evident harmony or unity of the various elements of our personal properties is a measure not only of the pleasure induced in us, but also of what we call “beauty”. For beauty, by definition, is the evident harmonious relationship of all the parts of a thing or a place observed.
The absence of beauty we call “ugliness”. Ugliness results from a sensed lack of unity among the parts of a thing or place or the presence of one or more incongruous elements. Since that which is beautiful tends to please and that which is ugly tends to disturb, it follows that a visual harmony of all the parts of a landscape, in the communities where we live, or on our personal properties, is desirable.
Order and beauty is the essence of life. It has an elusive and magical quality. It is a phenomenon that occurs at a given moment or place when and only when all relationships are harmonious.
Sanctuary, simplicity and meaning in our lives
In these times of uncertainty when we seek sanctuary, simplicity and meaning in our lives creating beauty, and taking the time to appreciate the beauty that is around us, is something we can do for ourselves to bring harmony in our lives.
By creating beauty, through the simple act of planting a tree, or growing seeds of plants of your favorite colours, whether in your garden or in a container on your balcony it could help us to change how we look at and interact with the world around us. In some small way it may actually help to heal the planet.
Go ahead, get growing! Create a beautiful garden, no matter how small. It will make you feel great. If that isn’t a good reason for creating beauty, then what is?