Thank you for this reminder that all of life is but a recollection of fleeting moments, beautiful though many of them be. It brought to mind this verse by the missionary C. T. Studd: “Only one life, yes only one; Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet; And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life, ’twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Thank you Thomas, that is a poignant quote. Well worth meditating on. Studd's life is the epitome of a life well lived. I remember hearing his story a while back.
Your thoughts are at the core of all my creative endeavors. A fierce love for, and commitment to nurture and guard beauty is valuable and real work in the world, and a good antidote to cynicism and despair. Thanks for the reminder.
Blackburnian Warbler ... I did not know this one. Its an ill wind that does not bring beauty however small. I read of the little fellow arrived in Shetland in 2023, yet am sad for his loneliness.
Do not blame death. Death is the basis for life. We live in circles not linear time.
Good lives are precious. I return to the notion they repair the world in the way unnoticed soil rebuilds given proper time. For the while though cherish the work those generations made for us ... without that gift we are poor indeed. I have argued elsewhere that we can still hear voices who used to pray for us.
Usually I save articles to come back to when I can't read it immediately (as I did with this one), and then unsave it once read. A reading list of sorts.
I'm not unsaving this one. I'm keeping it forever in my little "Saved" tag so I never lose its contents.
This brought a big smile to my face! I am very glad you have saved this Ren. The subject of beauty and what we can do to safeguard it is ever so important, especially in a world which appears so content with mediocracy and even down right ugliness/triviality. And thank you so much for the kind words you wrote in your restock of this piece.
It is difficult, in my experience, to defend beauty against charges that it hinders progress and equality. An unthinking preference for ease and convenience in many, the rapine profit motive of the soulless multinationals, the despoliation of nature, are all.far easier to argue against, but the very concept of beauty implies judgement, and this appears to be inarguably bad to many
I would be most grateful if anyone could point me in the direction of good moral arguments on this subject.
Great observations Katy and great question. I imagine Roger Scruton has some good moral arguments on the subject of beauty and someone said to me on notes that John O’Donohue's interview with The On Being Project was worth listening to (I had a read of the transcript and I think they touch on moral arguments).
In terms of moral arguments surrounding efficiency, Tools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich is worthwhile reading.
Thank you for this reminder that all of life is but a recollection of fleeting moments, beautiful though many of them be. It brought to mind this verse by the missionary C. T. Studd: “Only one life, yes only one; Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet; And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life, ’twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Thank you Thomas, that is a poignant quote. Well worth meditating on. Studd's life is the epitome of a life well lived. I remember hearing his story a while back.
Your thoughts are at the core of all my creative endeavors. A fierce love for, and commitment to nurture and guard beauty is valuable and real work in the world, and a good antidote to cynicism and despair. Thanks for the reminder.
My pleasure Carri. “fierce love” is such a great term.
Blackburnian Warbler ... I did not know this one. Its an ill wind that does not bring beauty however small. I read of the little fellow arrived in Shetland in 2023, yet am sad for his loneliness.
Do not blame death. Death is the basis for life. We live in circles not linear time.
Good lives are precious. I return to the notion they repair the world in the way unnoticed soil rebuilds given proper time. For the while though cherish the work those generations made for us ... without that gift we are poor indeed. I have argued elsewhere that we can still hear voices who used to pray for us.
Agree with your points on death Philip, I wrote something similar here https://overthefield.substack.com/p/among-death-an-abundance-of-life
So timely. I'm exploring these themes myself. 🖤
Usually I save articles to come back to when I can't read it immediately (as I did with this one), and then unsave it once read. A reading list of sorts.
I'm not unsaving this one. I'm keeping it forever in my little "Saved" tag so I never lose its contents.
This brought a big smile to my face! I am very glad you have saved this Ren. The subject of beauty and what we can do to safeguard it is ever so important, especially in a world which appears so content with mediocracy and even down right ugliness/triviality. And thank you so much for the kind words you wrote in your restock of this piece.
Beautifully written; thank you.
It is difficult, in my experience, to defend beauty against charges that it hinders progress and equality. An unthinking preference for ease and convenience in many, the rapine profit motive of the soulless multinationals, the despoliation of nature, are all.far easier to argue against, but the very concept of beauty implies judgement, and this appears to be inarguably bad to many
I would be most grateful if anyone could point me in the direction of good moral arguments on this subject.
Great observations Katy and great question. I imagine Roger Scruton has some good moral arguments on the subject of beauty and someone said to me on notes that John O’Donohue's interview with The On Being Project was worth listening to (I had a read of the transcript and I think they touch on moral arguments).
In terms of moral arguments surrounding efficiency, Tools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich is worthwhile reading.
Thank you; I very much appreciate the recimmendations.