I rounded a familiar corner and was surprised to see only one lane of traffic where normally there are two. What happened? There’s no construction. As I waited for the light to change, I noticed a student driver sign prominently displayed on the roof of a car ahead of me. When the light changed, I watched the student driver make a wide arc and painfully navigate the left turn. I thought to myself, “Good grief. Have you ever seen anyone drive?” I pulled alongside and glanced over. The driver, a man with some years on him, sat in the driver’s seat beaming. He looked like he was having the time of his life! I instantly forgave him for the delay at the traffic light.
photo by Stephen Adcox
As I arrived at my destination, I misjudged the curb and scraped my rim. Oh, no. I got out of the car cursing myself for being clumsy and not paying attention. After a minute, I calmed down. “It’s just a rim, Cheryl.”
Just a rim that’s no longer perfect. I thought back to the student driver. His imperfect left turn, him straddling both lanes and getting in everyone’s way. If he hadn’t made that crazy turn, I would have missed out on a moment of pure pleasure. A beautiful grin lighting up the face of a man absolutely delighted with learning how to drive.
Stephen Adcox is a professional photographer. He takes beautiful photos and shares the best ones with his friends. “I send out a picture a week and have done so for over four years.”
His passion is to see, capture and share beauty. “I look for Beauty all the time in the words I read, in the people I know and in the world around me. It’s become a way of life for me. I see pictures everywhere. I’m constantly looking, seeing and saying ‘Wow, that’s beautiful!”
Stephen points out where beauty is to help others adjust their point of view: “For years I thought everyone could see as I do. I’ve realized that when I mention something I’m seeing to others, they aren’t aware of it. Almost like it isn’t even there for them until I mention it.”
What did you notice that was beautiful today? Give yourself a minute to reflect on what you appreciate and what you find beautiful. It will do your heart good.
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Thank you! Thank you! I am so honored! The very best feeling is when someone sends me photos they have taken. I have so many partners who are seeing the Beauty around them! Its So Wonderful!!
Love that perspective of finding the beautiful in the human albeit imperfect experience. The photo you’ve included is pure LOVE.
Keep on keepin’ on!
Cheryl thanks for the post and opportunity to say what I saw as pure beauty.
Trece thanks for your patience and generosity.
OOPS, forgot to tell the beauty I experienced today:
I saw a beautiful, dignified, strong young woman wearing, for all to see, her private cancer battle.
She tried to be invisible. I walked up to her and said “You look fantastic, absolutely beautiful”. As she looked into my eyes hers filled with tears and she knew I knew. As her eyes rimmed with tears I gently looked into those beautiful brown eyes and said “when people stare and look away they know not what to do or say; when others look and don’t look away they know her struggle first-hand and want to wrap her in their arms and take away her anguish”. Our exchange was long, and ended with “It is great to see you”!