WE HAVE UNVEILED MORE BEAUTY....

10/01 marks the launch of our new site. There you may find many resources for a beautiful life. We hope you stop by often.

Find Beauty:

beautyfound.org

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EXPERIENCE BEAUTY

AN INVITATION TO LIVE AND EXPERIENCE BEAUTY

One of the goals of this space is to inspire beauty, so that each one of us lives and experiences it within our own lives and circumstances.

We find however that "passive consumption" is predominant among social media users; where scrolling through wonderful images posted by friends or strangers alike, provide a sense of loneliness and even depression for many.

While it is beautiful to witness breathtaking images of faraway lands, summer resorts and serenity in the middle of Central Park, it is important to understand that what each of these pictures represent, is an experience.

We do not need to lay on a white sanded beach in order to experience beauty. We have the ability to find joy in simple everyday moments and details, and until we learn to look in the right places, we will be prey to continual social envy and the haunting thought that "someone else's life could be better".

There are so many beautiful images floating through cyberspace, and inspiration should come forth from each one of these, to live our own experience. BeautyFound looks to be a source of inspiration, so an invitation is extended to #findbeauty; even as you find yourself seating within a cubicle or wandering busy city streets. It only takes a minute to stop and look closer:

• Look out your window: Many times we are so entertained by tasks, that we miss wonderful little details outside our own home.

• Notice others: Whether you are walking down busy streets or at work, we tend to blur the many people that walk past us. Try to notice someone's beauty; whether external or internal, and see yourself reflected in them and connected through something small.

• Mind your food: We do not need to go to a fancy restaurant or be on vacation to savor each meal. Even if you ordered Chinese takeout, make the effort to serve on a beautiful plate and consciously enjoy every bite.

• Discover the new: Many times we are so accustomed to our surroundings, that we fail to notice beautiful details, both old and new. Cherish each object decorating your home, or look at your neighborhood with brand new eyes. There is always something new to discover.

•  Be inspired: Continue to scroll down beautiful and inspiring images. There are so many wonderful and talented people, you should be able to enjoy in an active; rather than passive manner.

• Enhance your senses: After looking at your screen and being thoroughly inspired, plan a visit to an actual beautiful place. This could be a museum to experience and admire art installations,  a bookstore to flip through actual pages, or a park to connect with nature and the smell of grass or pine.  

         
       So by all means, this an invitation to be present in the moment and experience a sense of joy.


lovely image via ignite light

LOOK WHAT I FOUND NO.02

There is great joy and beauty to be found in everyday surroundings, and artist/photographer Paul Octavious captures this perfectly through his latest idea; The Pantone Project - where he is on a mission to match all the Pantone colors to things he finds in everyday life.

The Pantone Matching System is used in the printing industry to assure you get the right color when the file is printed. Colors are indicated by Pantone name or number.

You may follow the ongoing project through Octavious' Instagram account. 

WORDS TO LIVE BY № 08

Image via Pinterest

THE BEAUTY OF COMPASSION

Image by P. Wiggers via UNHCR 

EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF EXPERIENCING TRUE COMPASSION

“Welcome to the country which has no flags and does not appear in maps, a country where tourists do not arrive. You do not need a passport or a visa to live there; you only need to have lost it all.”

This is the introduction of a documentary presented by UNHCR Spain in collaboration with director Fernando León de Aranoa and actress Elena Anaya. It is a window into the way of life within Ethiopian refugee camps, where thousands of Sudanese and Somalie refugees are sheltered.

As the trailer for the above documentary ends, a little girl voices to the audience "WELCOME TO MY COUNTRY". An imaginary country of over 45 million and increasing in numbers.

A country of mothers, children, fathers, brothers; separated from some of those whom they love, due to the need to flee from a highly dangerous situation. They find themselves in need of food, shelter and a way to communicate with those who were left behind.

Looking at the conditions of life and the stories behind each person, there are different possible reactions from someone who watches from afar. One could be moved to pity and helplessly carry on, or one could identify their suffering with our own; allowing us to reach a level of compassion.

As I watched similar stories from other refugee camps around the world, I found images of people with similar living arrangements. Beautiful mothers holding their children, families playing together within their small shelter, children smiling as they held books or backpacks which would help them go to school (none of which would be possible, without the generosity of many).

Through each one of these images, I found myself and each one of you. While we are all living different realities; based on individual circumstances, we do not live so distant from theirs, since we have all experienced suffering to some degree. Each mother knows the pain of seeing a little one cry, and a parent knows the pain of not being able to provide.

Each one of us knows; that despite of circumstances, there is always an opportunity to forge ahead, to grow and give to others.

Everyone can learn to experience true compassion; which does not seek pity as much as it seeks understanding. 

The documentary directed by Aranoa on Ethiopian camps showcases the great ongoing need for refugees. Other camps have already created small businesses and commerce; such as the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, with a market avenue nicknamed Champs-Élysées, or the beauty salon in Uganda, which brings confidence and hope to Congolese refugee women.

Each one of us can be deeply compassionate and take action. If you are in a position to help; move forward, if you are in a position to pray; do it. Each of us is in a position to act; no matter how small, there is always something that can be done. Even when there is not much to change, love and compassion are the great transforming virtues that allow us to live a beautiful life filled with dignity.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:

01. Do I feel the need to help, but pass on the opportunity thinking that someone else will do it in my place?

02. Do I realize that each one of us is called to be generous and take action?

03. Do I identify with the human pain of strangers in hard situations as I would with my close friends + family?

RESOURCES TO TAKE ACTION:

There is always a need for all refugees and at the moment there is a great immediate one for Syrian ones.

You may visit the following agencies for information on how to help:

UN Refugee Agency (Syria Emergency)

World Vision (3 facts you should know about the Syrian Refugee Crisis)

Refugees International

INTERIM BEAUTY: STRIVING FOR THE BEST

As we strive for happiness and well being, there is a continuous desire for growth and improvement. We set goals and willingly create consistent patterns; yet, we become discouraged by the wait. The gradual process that envelopes each life and clouds perspective, tends to distract us from the beautiful truth that the best is yet to come.

We must remind ourselves of that which is not visibly present; yet visibly possible. We must learn that every small step makes us better and therefore drives us forward; never backwards.

We must learn to love the interim beauty that is present today, and work incessantly on its gradual transformation into an ever improving masterpiece. It is within this space in time that we build our character and achieve personal growth; within this moment, that commitment to ourselves and others becomes essential. It is precisely here that our lives become ever more beautiful.


lovely image via

WORDS TO LIVE BY № 07

If there is anything that comes in between beauty and our lives, is our own selves. An ad campaign created by Ogilvy Brazil for Dove, portrays the way women describe themselves; versus how others perceive them.

Words found through Real Beauty Sketches Campaign. Image via Pinterest