Beauty Feeds the Soul, Heart and Mind

One of the most difficult things during my daughter's illness and recovery was the absolute misery and suffering that filled my eyes. Nothing like a transplant unit and a hospital to see very little other than pain and suffering. My daughter's room faced the back of the hospital. The "view" from her window was the back of the hospital and a bunch of gray pipes, etc. There was virtually no natural light. For approximately 20 minutes on a sunny day, there would be one stream of light that would come into her room on the window sill.

It was right in that place that I put a big bouquet of silk flowers. All around the room I put photos of family and friends so no matter where we looked, we were surrounded by love. I would go outside sometimes and sit in the sun and just look around at the green grass, sunshine, flowers, listen to the birds. I would very consciously take in as much beauty as I could to bring back to her. I did that a lot with dancing also. Store up all the energy, beauty and joy to bring back to her whether she was at home or at the hospital.

I've been reading some stuff that says that Beauty increases the feel good hormones serotonin and increases endorphins. I didn't know it at the time, but probably doing that is what helped save both of our lives. Even in the concentration camps, at times of war, during slavery... all the hideous things people have done to each other, people have had the resilience to dance, sing, create.

I believe that it is Art (in all its forms) that makes life liveable. No matter the circumstances, bring Beauty into your life. That's why the artwork I do here is so fun. I love looking at it, sharing it and it feeds my soul.