A few years back, on a whim, I read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. While it might sound drastic, the book changed my life, and set me on a path that led to me starting this blog—finding beauty even when it isn’t pretty.
I’ve spent the last year studying beauty, looking for it in the most unlikely places—a friend’s horrific divorce, a sink full of dirty dishes, the death of a friend’s dad, arguments with my daughter—and mostly finding it hiding underneath life’s debris.
I found that our differences (political, ethnic, religious, etc.) are critical to creating a beautiful tapestry.
I found beauty in nature, in my own failings, when I wallow, and even in coffee.
Fact is, I find beauty nearly everywhere I look, and I am thankful.
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And that thankfulness truly has led to a better life, even science confirms it.
In the last year, I’ve watched the world shake under the strain of terror attacks, political disagreements, and war. I’ve seen people polarized against each other, and watched as darkness seemed to win. In those times and places, I’ve become more desperate for thankfulness.
And as I’ve searched and poured out thanksgiving, I’ve found it easier to see beauty, and easier to be thankful…and it’s a beautiful cycle.
So this Thanksgiving season, I’m hoping you’ll join me in searching out beauty. It may not be easy—my sink is currently overflowing with dishes, I have to run to the grocery store (again), and my friend’s cancer is still there—but perhaps together we can add just a touch of beautiful Thanksgiving to the world.
At the risk of sounding too eager and perhaps ridiculous: me too! Ann Voskamp’s 1,000 Gifts also awakened something in me that led to the start of my blog. It’s a joy to meet someone else affected the same way! Thank you, Janyre, for the reminder to look for beauty this Thanksgiving.
Too eager?! Never! Thanks for jumping in. I was actually laughing at myself this morning. I’d written this blog a few days ago and as I re-read it this morning, I’m sure God had me write it because I needed to hear it. My sink is, once again, overflowing and whatever’s growing on the bottom should probably be dealt with by the CDC. My daughter and I had an argument before she slammed the door in my face on the way out. And I needed the reminder that there’s beauty in it if I’ll just look. So I’m looking today…
It’s true there is a lot of beautiful in the hard. And somehow that helps my heart.