Tell us about Beauty

I have already written a lot about beauty. Some of my posts around our relationship with beauty fall under these headings:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder In this very early post I try to explain the beauty I see watching the Dakar trucks fly through the sand dunes in the desert.

Don't be scared of your Blue Horses The story of how the Nazis had a strict view of beauty in art and Eric Carle learning to see the beauty in the forbidden art of Franz Marc. 

Exceedingly Handsome Guy - pondering on superficial beauty A post on beauty standards, and how they vary from country to country. 

“In The Right Light, At The Right Time. Everything Is Extraordinary. ” ― Aaron Rose A reminder that beauty is everywhere if we really look. 

“Let the beauty of sunrise keep your heart warm.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita

The beauty every day in sunrise or sunset is free and almost always guaranteed. 

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere. –Vincent van Gogh There is an abundance of beauty around us, even on inner city dog walks if you tune into nature.

This time, I want to talk about something different. Summed up best in this quote "The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw". (Havelock Ellis). There are people that are so good-looking, they're almost like a cartoon. A charicature of beauty, if you will. Henry Cavill is one example that springs to mind. A very good looking face but not attractive. 

When watching tv, I'm finding more and more I like the wrinkled, rumpled faces of the European and Asian actors than the botox'ed & lifted Hollywood stars. While youth is always good looking , it's the expereince and difference that makes people attractive. Or maybe it's charisma? (young people take note. You are as good looking as you'll ever be, you just don't see it. I promise you, you'll look back on photos and be surprised!).

I think the biggest mistake we make is thinking beauty is perfection, when really beauty is in unique imperfections, that catch the eye, or engage emotions.

There was a quote on Pedestrian TV talking about the Saltburn actor which I think sums it up perfectly.

"Sabrina looks drop-dead gorgeous, Barry looks hot in a weird way". I think we need to worry less about beauty standards and realise that everyone is beautiful in their own way. And I don't mean in that cheesy platitude, I mean really beautiful, if you really look.

The Rone exhibition is extraordinary in part because it makes ordinary things beautiful. So beautiful. 

In the same way I can walk down the street to the shops and it's just a busy urban, inner city street or I can walk the dog and there are beautiful flowers and delightfully playful shadows dappling through autumn leaves, it's not the street that changes but my view of it. I'm choosing to take the time to really look at it.

I guess that is the secret. We just need to really look.

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” ― Confucious

We need to not over think it, not sit in analytical judgement but just feel something when we see it. It's reward is the smile, joy or inspiration we feel when we see it. Our reaction to it, or as Rumi says "The beauty you see in me is a reflection of you" and that's where you really find beauty. 

And Perth people, one of the most hauntingly beautiful exhibitions is coming your way. I was literally moved to tears by it's beauty. Book tickets to Rone as soon as you can. It will sell out. (My experience here)

Linking with #WeekendReflection for the first pic and the harbour bridge pic, where the reflections on the water make the photo!  &#TellUsAbout