Searching for a way to make the world look more beautiful?

Being on vacation makes it easier to see the world in a different way, and one thing I’m trying to do – now, and when I get back home – is to notice the light.

The sun’s strength at different times of day – the shapes and colors of clouds – the clarity of the atmosphere – shadows – moonlight – I’m making a conscious effort to notice and appreciate it all.

In his extraordinary essay on painting, Painting as a Pastime, Winston Churchill wrote about the pleasure he got from noticing colors and light, and also the relief from anxiety that this kind of detached, aesthetic pleasure gave him.

Paying attention to light makes every possible vista more beautiful. Try it. Look at even a dull or ugly scene, and focus on the quality of the light. The view suddenly looks far more compelling and lovely.

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Comments

[Favorite Browser]

That's probably one of the most interesting blogs I ever found.

Keep it up, Gretchen.

[ciocia]

You're right--light is often overlooked. And soon we will be entering autumn, which in the midwest has some of the most beautiful light--shafting at a lower, less glaring angle--and through trees full of gold, red and brown. This by itself makes autumn worth it.

[John Richardson]

Hi Gretchen, what an interesting blog. I am intrigued by your posts on vacations. I just came back from an Alaska cruise, where my beloved Treo smartphone (and personal leash) did not work. I was unable to communicate, blog, and answer technical questions for a whole week.

At first it was very stressful, but on the third day I just let it go. I turned off the useless phone and made up my mind to enjoy my vacation. And enjoy it I did.

My co-workers survived without me, my blog survived without posting (it was actually picked up by Lifehacker while I was gone), and my mind finally got some relaxation and I found something that had been missing for a while... happiness.

The best part was the amazing sight of the Glaciers with sunlight streaming down on them and the look of amazement on my wife's face.

Enjoy your vacation... and congrats on becoming a member of LifeRemix!

John

[funchilde]

thanks for the tip to visit liferemix. i hope you enjoy your vacation. spotty tech access and all!

[Monica Ricci]

Hi Gretchen! Interesting post. I often hear myself saying, "Look how beautiful the light is right now". Some people, like my husband, get it. Others wonder what the heck I'm talking about. :)

It's not anticipated, but one of those things you have to just notice in the moment, which is part of what makes it special. I notice that there are days in the autumn when the haze of summer is no longer in the air and the light is soooo beautiful it's almost not real.
~Monica

[Gretchen Rubin]

Today the light was gorgeous -- and I'm not sure I would have noticed it, before I started making this special effort. Not only does the world look more beautiful, but it gives me a purposefulness as I move through my day which is very enjoyable.

[M]

While noticing these things can lead to a happier world, it can also lead to some unhappiness. My friends often find themselves rolling their eyes during my effusions on the way the light highlights the outlines of the leaves look or how it deepens the blue of the water. The lesson is, in order to achieve true happiness, don't regularly share your appreciation of light with others.

[Alvaro]

beautiful moments, relived thanks to your post.

have you tried this fun exercise: for a few days, next time you commute, switch of the radio and focus on everything around you that has a particular color. One day, try green. Another, yellow. Another,...

Enjoy