When traveling in Europe I am always overwhelmed by the beauty to be found most everywhere. Perhaps it’s the history or it’s strong religious traditions but I have a feeling that it’s the sensibility of the people themselves. Whether it’s art or music, food or lifestyle, there seems to be a understranding of what is important in life. That is not to say that there isn’t bad food or soulless art there but there is such an abundance of beauty that it literally takes my breath away.
There is beauty in this country but in general, you have to look a little harder to find it. It is my hope that I might add my personal sense of beauty to this world as well. Cynically I can say that in this country it is usually concerned only about costs and bottom line thinking. As Oscar Wilde said “The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” And yet when you find beauty, it connects you to something larger. A connection to what it means to be alive.