You’ve Grown More Beautiful Because of it
Here’s my last PICTURES post of 2020. (I expect to continue the pattern next year, I’ve enjoyed it so much.)
What do you notice?
Scroll through the following ten photos and think about what the items have in common.
Yeah, That’s Right
First, they are gorgeous. What intriguing textures! What complex shapes! What cool effects!
Next, they’re obviously worn out, worn down, worn thin, worn through, worn away, weather-worn. (Remind you of anyone these days? 😉)
If you didn’t honestly think “beautiful” right away, I forgive you. We in the U.S. have been raised in a culture that values Shiny! Young! New! It requires a certain type of personality or focus to appreciate Bent. Rusty. Dented. Uneven. Chipped. Peeling. Torn. Burnt. Flattened. Scuffed. Scraped. We’re not taught to see Decay as a lovely and necessary condition of life.
You’ve acquired a certain “je ne sais quoi” this year.
If you’re reading this, you have (nearly) survived 2020, and not without consequences. You’ve done things you didn’t think you could do, which might have included “get out of bed” on certain days. You’ve been tested, then pulled through the wringer, then put through the fire. Things have been shut down and taken away from you. There has been great loss, including the loss of our national naïveté.
I’m here to tell you that you are more beautiful because of it all. The ways you’ve become weathered and textured make you more interesting to behold. You’ve deepened in complexity, like a fine aged wine.
Am I saying that your new worry wrinkles look good on you? Yes I am. They’re a sign of having experienced hard things. Wear them like a badge of honor. As with the scrapes and dents and other so-called imperfections in the photos above, they allude to stories. Our stories give us substance.
Find Joy by Seeking Beauty
May your holiday season (and your life!) be a treasure hunt. Begin by expanding your definition of Beauty. Then pay attention. You’ll find that it’s all around you, and the act of noticing it will bring you joy.
With love,
Pam
Another collage-in-progress.
P.S. I’m still accepting orders in my shop — art-making Fun Kits, a variety of greeting cards, curated-for-you Gift Packs, and more. (Use the helpful categories at the top of the shop page to direct your search.) I’ll be donating 20% of all December proceeds to the U.S. Dept. of Arts and Culture, to support their work helping us all imagine a better future.
If Dec. 25th is an important deadline for you, best get your order in right away! My shop will be “open” throughout the holiday season, however, and keep in mind that treating yourself can be beautiful. ✨
P.P.S. Portland-area folks: Swing by the Rose City Book Pub (NE Fremont at 13th Ave) this month to check out the holiday pop-up shop. You can buy single copies of my book, Doodle Your Way Out of Stuckness, purchase a Doodle Love Gift Set (book + colored pencils + pencil sharpener), order a take-out meal, and have your growler filled with great local brews. It’s a win-win-win: support a favorite artist ☺️, help a neighborhood business, and make your shopping fun + easy. Oh, and be sure to check out the other vendors’ wares and all the books for sale while you’re there!
Be healthy, be safe, and enjoy the season. ❤️🥂