Meditations on Beauty
BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF WATER
Paul Melzer
Mission Advancement
The Wildlands Conservancy
Have you ever sat before a waterfall, quieted your thoughts, and simply watched it closely? Or sat beside a stream, looking carefully at the water rippling past you? Or stood at the ocean’s edge and witnessed the waves heroically crashing—or softly lapping—at the ends of the land? Or watched silently as the winds were made visible across a pond’s surface? Or looked up in the sky and surrendered to a rainfall, drenching your face and clothes? These moments are opportunities to experience water-blessed beauty. When we are open to them, these visits with Nature can be great nourishment to our minds, or powerful teachers to our spirits—often both.
Water is required for all life as we know it, and yet we often need reminding of its preeminent nature. Nearly two-thirds of the human body is composed of water, and the preponderance of the Earth’s surface is water—what more prominent matter can we call on to remind us of the force and beauty of Nature? (It can be seen throughout the day.) When we see cool, clear water we are refreshed. Conversely, when we see stagnant and polluted waters we are troubled. In a sense, these things reflect our own watery emotions. In a sense, we too are blessed by these moments, for in beholding the nature of water, we find an experience of beauty within ourselves. Who’s to say where the beauty begins and ends?
As the summer proceeds, we encourage you to visit new or familiar places and look for the beauty of water. Henry David Thoreau wrote, “The life in us is like the water in the river.”
Set out on a walk, and Behold the Beauty.
Enjoying the peaceful Beauty of the Santa Margarita River at Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve. Photo by Elba Mora.