A FRIEND told me recently of a splendid lecture she had thoroughly enjoyed. The subject was “Money,” and the speaker popular and well known.
The lecture must have been a delight.
Some of the thoughts passed on to me by my friend suggested other thoughts, one of which was, how much beauty many people miss every day for lack of time or inclination to notice it.
Glorious beauty, quiet, peaceful beauty―all without the expenditure of any money.
I had turned my head to look at the sky; it was the last Saturday in January, but the soft air and blue and white loveliness of the sky, brought April very near: and as I turned an aching head and longing eyes to the sky visible to my limited outlook, the thought came of all the people who could go out of doors and see a wonderful expanse of changing sky-scenery, and feel the sweetness of the air upon them―and how much joy and beauty there is in that for which to be glad and thankful.
Later—the sight of a star and reflected glory of moonlight, brought to mind the beauty and peace of night. Yet, now many people, able to walk and enjoy the activity of life, miss all that in search of material enjoyment, and craving for excitement.
Beauty is all around, if only we will see and appreciate it and we need to do so before we can value greater beauty.
The immortal words of Borrow might well sing in our hearts: “Life is sweet, brother, there’s night and day, both sweet things,... sun, moon and stars, all sweet things; there’s likewise a wind on the heath.” Mabel Jeeves.