I have been so distracted by life and all that entails that I have completely neglected my blog. This used to be my outlet for all the thoughts running amok in my brain ... a sounding board of sorts. There are so many offerings on the web these days. Sites. Games. Distractions. All shiny objects. There was MySpace (and still is, to be fair). But then came Facebook. I have become a Facebook addict. I have reconnected with old friends. Made new friends. Accepted "friends" that I was never that friendly with. I share funnies and insights. Post photographs. Share musings, frustrations, hopes, excitements, and so much more. I play games (love my farm ... don't get me started).
But the most surprising aspect of Facebook for me has been the status messages and ensuing comments. I have *fallen* into a Motley Crew of sorts and we take turns posting a status message that inspires random comments. Be they funny or thoughtful, crass or elegant, these thoughts and reflections have inspired me to some very deep thinking lately and I love it. I'll share what was posted today.
The original status message was simple enough and started with a not so unfamiliar quote and ended with a question: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but who really defines beauty?". Many comments followed the original post and as I read it this morning, my gut reaction was to respond with something sassy or sarcastic, but for an instant, I stopped to wonder what the definition of beauty is. So, I looked it up in the dictionary. This is what I found: "the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest)." On second thought, I almost posted this in reply, but then I stopped and really thought about it more personally ... what is beauty to me? After sitting in front of my computer for quite some time, this is what I finally replied:
"I think what most of you are describing is attraction, connection, desire, and even love. From a woman's perspective, I rarely look at a man that I'm attracted to ... whether it's for his good looks, his sense of humor, his mind, his attitude, his personality, or so many other traits and qualites ... and think "he's beautiful". It's happened, but it's rare.
In a person, it encompasses all of the things you touched on and so much more. I believe beauty comes from the soul and radiates outward. Photographers can capture beauty but don't define it. Society tries to define it because they have to try and sell it. And because society has a need to define everything.
The answer lies within the question. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but also in the mind and heart. And the definition of beauty falls to the beholder. It's very personal.
For me, beauty is about what touches, moves, and inspires me."
This is not the first time I have posted a comment about something that I truly sat and thought about. And because of this, I have been dubbed "Dr. Barb" by my fellow crew members.
I was already addicted to Facebook, but now I appreciate it for something else ... it connects me with others who like me, think "deep thoughts" and also, it inspires me to think and ponder the mysteries of life even more. It has touched, moved, and inspired me. Beauty...
