The World is Full of Beauty

The world is full of beauty, but sometimes people forget.  So remind them.  And remind yourself.  Because it's everywhere if your eyes are open to it.

I've seen some beautiful things in this world.  Why, I've seen the sun rise and set in ten different countries.  I've kissed Norwegians, danced with Indians, sung with Danes, kayaked with Croatians, drank wine with Italians, and played soccer with Egyptians.  I've loved.  I've lost, but I've also won.  I've seen homeless people sing in the streets.  I've seen depressed people find their way again.  I've given rides to and received rides from total strangers without anything bad ever happening.  I've seen a child's face light up from having learned something new.  I've had amazing late-night discussions, both drunk and sober.  I've met and befriended people with different points of view.  I've won trophies.  I've read countless books and am delighted that they're being written at a pace faster than that at which I can read them.  I've laughed at a wedding.  I've cried at a funeral.  I've cared for a sick friend, and been cared for when I was sick.  I've felt God.  I've walked through creeks, been moved by a performance, been drenched in strangers' sweat in the front row of a concert.  I've sped down the highway next to my best friend with the windows down and the music blasting.

One time I was having a terrible day at work and had just spilled a bunch of trash everywhere when a customer I'd never met before stopped and helped me pick it up.  One time I was lost in a foreign city and some hookers gave me directions back to my hotel.  One time I caught my reflection in the mirror and realized I like who I am.  I've exchanged hugs, kisses, constructive criticisms, words of encouragement, jokes, handshakes, and high fives.  I've ridden horses.  Played hide and seek, cops and robbers, and truth or dare.  I've tasted pizza.  And cookies.  And steak.  And tropical pineapple smoothies.  And Thanksgiving dinners.  I've seen a guy pop bubbles with the tip of his nose.  I've taken a massage class.  I've been smiled at.  I've had an ice-cold beer after working sixteen straight hours.  I've cooked dinner with a friend.  I've sat with a friend staring out at the ocean for hours.  I've received unexpected gifts.  I've worked jobs I enjoyed with people I liked.  I've admired someone professionally.  I've admired somone personally.  I've felt the pleasure of giving respect.  I've had a date on Valentine's Day.  I've had my own radio show.  Been to the circus.  Taken countless showers.  Danced in the rain.  Been part of an entourage.  Stayed up all night.  I've sat in a park drinking coffee and watching dogs run around while girls in bikinis stretch out in the grass.

The world is full of beauty and don't you ever forget it.  What have you witnessed?  Please share it below.  And elsewhere.  And anywhere.  And everywhere.

Another Picture of War

A man in a suit and a tie makes a telephone call.  When he hangs up, he calls it a day, putting any loose files inside his desk and then locking it.  He leaves his office and grabs a drink with a colleague.  He gets home in time to tuck his kids into bed and read them a Dr. Seuss story.  Later his wife asks him how his day was and he says, "Oh, nothing out of the ordinary."  They make quiet love and then go to sleep.

Above a distant country a plane drops a bomb that kills two hundred people whom the pilot will never meet.

A Picture of War

Upon an otherwise beautiful beach lies the bloodied soldier who, for no other reason than having been ordered to, doth die a shameful and lonely death amongst a thousand other shameful ghosts.  They wail and scream silently while silent vigils are held several seas away and silent candles scatter silent shadows in a church that is silent save for one or two confessors.

Meanwhile, half the houses on the block are bathed in the screams of fatherless children.