We find beauty not in the thing itself but in the patterns of shadows, the light and the darkness, that one thing against another creates… Were it not for shadows, there would be no beauty.
JUN’ICHIRŌ TANIZAKI – as translated by Thomas J. Harper & Edward G. Seidensticker
I used to be underwhelmed by flowers, pictures of flowers, floral design, or anything to do with flowers. They were pretty, yes, but did not pierce my heart. My perspective changed after painting a few. When I took time to scrutinise a flower—to notice the details: the stamen, the colour variation, the petal patterns, and most of all the elements altered and shadows cast by the flower in its setting, that’s when awe struck.
It’s so like life. We get through most days glancing only briefly at our environment, seeing little and learning less. As we work and strive to succeed, this hazy vision commandeers our time. We do have to deal with the bills and put food on the table. But, beyond these basics, we need to slow down and pay absolute attention, not just to flowers, but to everything. Practice that and you’ll open a portal to pure delight and the full joy of living.
I believe the intricacies of the moment, the shadows and nuances of each minute of every day are all we require for a wonder filled existence.