Feb 28 2009
Truth and Beauty
O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede
Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say’st,
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” - that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.
From the poem Ode On A Grecian Urn
John Keats (1795-1821)
Truth and beauty go hand in hand as long as you realize that inner beauty far outweighs the attraction of outer beauty. Beauty is found everywhere, especially within the boundless area of nature. I took a jaunt to the rose garden in Golden Gate Park the other day to find the flower’s stems beginning to grow. The flowers are not yet in bloom yet there was something oddly beautiful about the stems springing from the ground. Why? It is the truth within the roots that we know will produce a beautiful rose.
Truth lies within us. Our truths and beliefs are what make us beautiful human beings. That truth in all of us is what shines through to the surface and displays our beauty. Now granted, there are many outwardly beautiful people around us. When you can combine that outward beauty with inner truth it is a rare and special combination.
Our truth defines who we are. If our truths are free and loving then our outer beauty will reflect our inner selves.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. What inspires and directs you? When do you feel most satisfied? These are questions you need to ask of yourself in order to find your own inner truth.
2. Do not listen to opinions of others in regards to your truths. If you feel inspired by doing something, something which is a passion, never let anyone discourage your inspirations. Do what your heart feels.
3. Let go of judgments. Everyone has their own inner truths which is a product of their authentic self. Just as with you, judgments damage the spirit.
4. Try and see beauty in everything and everyone. Respect the truth of others and as a result you will see their inner beauty. Take a walk in nature with it’s natural truth and each plant, tree, flower and leaf will become beautiful.
I am starting to pay more attention to things around me, and find that even a thorn bush has its own beautiful little flowers. Great post Jo!
Oh, thanks again for the great food for thoughts Jodapoet. I love to think I see a lot of beauty everyday, each time I walk outside, and even inside the house. For me, life is beautiful, despite the challenges and difficulties sometimes, and just like the pictures you posted in your My City By the Bay blog, they are just sooooo beautiful.
Love this post. Seeing beauty in everything is a profound and lovely thought. Thanks for brightening my day with this. Ms. Therese
rainfield - Great point. The imagination is very powerful.
icy - Thank you, it’s all about seeing with your heart.
betchai - Thank you my friend for your loyalty and kind words.
thehabe - You are welcome.