I woke up early a few days ago, and stood on our balcony for a while. It’s one of those places that make it easy for me to meditate and focus when I’m there…easy for me to see God. That morning I was actually there early enough (not necessarily happy to be awake that early, but…may as well make the best of it, right?) to see the pink tint start to come into the sky during daybreak. I had a chance to watch the pink overtake the dark, turn everything to blue, and become the morning.
It was beautiful.
I can’t think of what my life would be like if I didn’t make the time to meditate on things like that. Karen and I were talking a few days ago about how I’ve become more interested in quiet reflection as I’ve moved into my 30’s. Not like I’m old or anything, but it is a transition that has taken place.
I’ve found that I need to appreciate beauty.
Dostoyevsky said “beauty will save the world.” My first instinct was that that’s a pretty sweeping statement. But the more I find myself fixed on God after I’ve spent time thinking about beauty, the more I wonder if perhaps he wasn’t right, if even in an indirect, abstract sort of way.
In any case, I am a better person because of that sunrise. A couple of years ago, I remember sitting in a restaurant on Clearwater Beach outside of Tampa, Florida, and watching the sun set. The effect was even more pronounced then.
Will beauty save the world?
I don’t know. But it has at least changed mine for the better. I’m glad I’ve taken the time to see it.