December 17, 1999
By Argentina Maria Mendieta-Otero
I am sure you have also wondered about the authentic meaning of Beauty, just like I have. Why does it have the power to make a person crazy when this person is possessed with the desire to obtain it? Or why does a person become mad with the lust and longing to obtain something or someone beautiful? Why can also something beautiful have the power to make us forget our troubles, suffering and depression, such as music that uplifts our souls and transports us to a world where there is no pain, or sorrow, or death? Or why can the breathtaking majesty of a sunset or a sunrise make us forget there are problems in this world or that there is such a reality as time? At the moment you are in the presence of an awesome sunset, Time is something that you feel you have conquered, that it doesn't control you or that your life is not governed by it? Have you ever wondered?
After years and years of reflection and observation; of asking why? why? I have come to the conclusion that not only our appreciation of something beautiful but our longing, burning and painful desire of either be beautiful ourselves or to obtain something of beauty have to do with our desire for immortality, for transcendence, to go beyond and outside of this limiting human experience.
We have been promised a world, an existence, a reality where there isn't any pain or suffering or tears of illnesses after we die. In Christianity this place is called Heaven. It is a place where we will live in eternal bliss and peace with God, our Creator and with friends and family who have gone ahead of us to this magnificent abode and the best part about it is that it is forever because God gave us immortal souls.
Have you ever stopped to observe yourself when you are having and experience with Beauty, whatever you decide is beautiful to you? a particular piece of music by your favorite singer or composer, or a painting that made you forget momentarily who you were or where you were, it didn't matter at the time, all that mattered was the redemptive, relaxing reality the message of the painting was creating for you? Has it happen to you that if you started looking at something beautiful when you were upset or depressed or angry or despairing, and after listening to a specific kind of music or going for a walk in a balmy afternoon where the gentle, soothing wind caresses your skin, or you go to watch a sunset and what happens to you is that you come away from the experience of Beauty refreshed, calmer, more at peace and more in control of yourself, with a different perspective, more optimistic and productive, than when you initiated your interaction with the experience of something beautiful?
I think life talks to us through Beauty. Life is saying: Be strong, have hope, don't give up, the pain you are feeling right now won't last forever, it will pass and in the end you will know and understand more about yourself, others and Life itself.
I (Life) am worth fighting for, I am worth sticking by. When we have a transcendental experience with Beauty, we experience in a brief moment the love and peace, joy and happiness we shall experience in Immortality after we have left this Earth behind. A desire for something beautiful is a desire for Eternity.
So my friend, delight in this wonderful gift called Life that we humans have been given, enjoy it without hurting yourself or hurting others and Life will, little by little, reveal delicious and pleasurable secrets about Itself and the wonderful things that lie ahead for us in our next life. Life is already doing it, everyday and one of her allies is Beauty. So watch out for It! When you experience a moment with Beauty and it takes you away from your sorrows, frustations and sadness; beware! Life is trying to get your attention and give you hope, hope for a better day. Just concern yourself with the task to be on the lookout for your next encounter with Immortality. You may never be the same again!
Merry Christmas. God bless you!
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