Thoughts of Beauty as Soul Food

When I was a teenager growing up across the river from the Nation's Capital, I loved nothing better than to ride my bike down to the local nature center, where I could park (no lock or helmet needed) and saunter along by the little stream as it tumbled downhill to the river. There was always a hunt for the best smooth, broad bolder, the perch from which I'd stretch out and simply sit and THINK. With all the choices before us in this fast paced world, it takes determined effort to do that sort of thing nowadays.

 BUT, this morning I was thinking that actually, all this social media choice allows me to see glimpses of similar "trails", though they may be trails of interest on instagram or pinterest, rather than a physical path by a brook. I can still take time to sit and THINK about beautiful things.

Everywhere you turn there is a new designer, coming up with lovely inspiring designs, along with gifted photographers who magnify the beauty for us (this post has photos by the delightful Abigail Hamilton Photography). Though they live across the Pond or in Brooklyn, or in San Francisco, while I sit in my Virginia kitchen awaiting the next floral delivery, I can browse their created work and get inspired!

In fact, today, this little "rabbit trail" got me ruminating on WHY these designs are so popular, why brides are looking for that touch of the artistic, thoughtful, "something more", why they long for the big garden roses, or peonies, those dear, big show offs?

Perhaps it just might be a longing for a more romantic, gentle era...a time when the flowers at weddings came from your parent's garden and not the florists, a time when family and friends were there to welcome you into the wonderful possibilities and hopefulness of a new marriage with a simple ceremony in the living room and some punch and cake?

Looking at my grandmother's wedding photos I see those small town New England ladies carrying loosely arranged bunches of flowers, and the little flower girl wearing a crown of flowers on her head. It was simple and elegant all at the same time. Full and flowing but not even close to overdone.

Images of flowers are everywhere, in every culture and they hint at what people were longing for AND creating during their moment of time. Whether opulent or simplistic, linear or loose, they offer just a bit of beauty to grace a humble table, or even a utilitarian tea towel. Taking this little mental trail, to think about the history of floral design, got the creative juices charged and flowing. I'm feeling inspired for today's work. Best get busy!

I hope you'll take a rabbit trail today to explore something beautiful. Hungry souls must have their food!