[perspectives]

The ambiance and aura of spring in Knoxville is something incredible. Green encloses the city, while the presence of new growth causes both peace and great anticipation in my heart. Year after year, I must admit, spring never ceases to amaze me. However, this spring in particular my mind has been musing on the topic of beauty.

With the weight of physical beauty permeating today's society, the common use of expressions used to describe life's brilliance is expected. But what exactly is this notion of beauty? Is it a term that can be defined? Or a matter of personal opinion?

I've come to the conclusion that beauty is that inexpressible something that stops us in our tracks and make us unable to move for a moment, unable to put into words what's closing off the breath in our throats. Similar to the longing inside every human for the only One that can ever satisfy, our hearts are drunk with a beauty our eyes could never see. And by looking at beauty through different perspectives, perhaps our hearts may be able to understand this notion of beauty on a very real level.

What is beauty?

Is it in the strong embrace of a Father?

Or in the gentle care of a mother?

Is it in the strength of a fighter?

Or in the glad surrender?

Is is seen from the outside looking in?

Or the inside looking out?

Is it an American icon?

Or the pride of an ancient culture?

Is it the innocence of a child?

Or the wisdom of our ancestors?

Is it in the great outdoors?

Or in your own backyard?

Is it fierce?

Or delicate?

Is it making a difference for all to see?

Or quiet acts of service?

Is it in elaborate settings?

Or the simple pleasures of life?

Is it in strength of the mind?

Or in strength of the heart?

Beauty is everywhere, and our souls and minds are thirsty for it. Immerse yourself in beauty daily. Soak it in, relish it.

"In every man's heart there is a secret nerve that

answers to the vibrations of beauty." -Christopher Morley

[The most beautiful view is the one I share with you]

[if it's the beaches]

The Avett Brothers: perhaps it is partly due to my recent longings to be out west again, but I can't seem to stop listening to this amazing singing duo as of late. Their bittersweet melodies instantaneously take me back to this past summer spent in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. If you have never listened to the Avett brothers, I highly recommend doing so. Their music simultaneously stumbles through country, bluegrass, and orchestral pop, never wasting a moment to harmonize beautifully.

The Avett Brothers seem to cut through the noise of many other bands, all the while mainlining directly into your veins and crossing the boundaries into your personal life. Often it amazes me how their music could be so simple and yet so original. A favorite song of mine is entitled "If It's the Beaches," and after spending a wonderful MLK weekend at the beautiful beach of Watersound, Florida, I thought this was appropriate:

"If it's the beaches

If it's the beaches' sands you want

Then you will have them

If it's the mountains, bending rivers

You can have them..."

[gregarious]

Oh, college. One goes from enjoying a simplistic, relatively care-free microcosm in high school to a macrocosm of utter craziness... weekends beginning on Wednesday? Having to make decisions on your own? Wearing PJ's to class? Heat and air bills? Naps in the library become perfectly acceptable, beta fish are like your family, and you and your roommate may or may not "have" to steal some cheap plastic dishes out of the cafeteria when you're all out [guilty]. And then, of course, you know that 80% of your final exam will be on the one lecture you missed or the one book you didn't read. Let's not forget about our dear college professors. All of a sudden your teachers could care less if you attend lectures, or much less pass the class.

However: Occasionally, you will encounter one teacher, the silver lining in your University that shows a keen interest in his students, that refuses to let a single student slack and who makes an attempt at unifying the classroom. I was blessed to be in one of these classes this semester. With the semester coming to a close, one day this particular professor requested each of us go around the room and use one word to describe each student. When it was my classmates' turn to sum me up in 28 words, I obviously became very nervous. The first word used to describe me came from the back of the room, out of the mouth of one of the quietest students: "Gregarious. You're like super-gregarious."

gregarious (adj):

1. fond of the company of others, easily entertained, sociable, friendly

2. living in flocks or herds, as animals

I assumed my quiet friend [hopefully] meant I was friendly and was not subtly hinting that I had animal-like tendencies. I was obviously extremely flattered, and his compliment has stuck with me.

So here goes. I'm new to the whole blogging phenomenon, so I have few hopes or expectations as I begin this. When deciding on the focus of my blog, I couldn't seem to gather my thoughts to a unified topic or theme. However, I'm certain of three things I'd love to focus my musings on: my affinity for beautiful melodies, photography, and all things abroad. I cannot think of many greater greater opportunities in life than to travel to every inch of the world, to view the "colors of the coasts" and witness God's Kingdom here on earth. I have no desire for this to solely be an outlet for me to ramble on and on [how boring for everyone reading]! My hope is that I am able to share some experiences and insights that might somehow impact those around me. And, hopefully, perhaps some of my "gregariousness" will shine through as well.