Welcome to the Good Life Chronicles, where living a good life takes center stage.
When was the last time you saw something beautiful? I mean, really beautiful, where you actually stopped and looked closely? This summer, last month, maybe today? If you're like most people, you might struggle to remember when it was. The truth is, we rarely take the time to appreciate beauty anymore. Yet, whether it's a carved wooden door, an oil-painting, a hand stitched silk gown, or modern architecture, life is richer when we do.
by the late Zaha Hadid (most definetly worth a visit next time you're in Baku and hands down, my favorite female architect and building, which is just as beautiful on the inside. A close second? Frank Gerhy's Marqués de Riscal Hotel, Elciego, Spain. Heavenly and a winery as the same time! See it here).
Appreciating beauty isn't just about noticing and moving on; it’s about deeper observation, reflection, and curiosity. It means asking questions like: Who made this and why? What inspired them; what might they have been feeling when they imagined it? It's about noticing patterns, symmetry, textures, and shadows, and thinking about the stories behind the details - including our own responses as we appreciate what we see.
As so much of what we buy, whether objects or experiences, are mass-produced goods designed for efficiency, our sensitivity to beauty has been diminished. Half the time, we're glued to our phones and we overlook beauty due to our own inattentiveness.
So, here's what I did this week: I subscribed to Gallerix, a website where you can browse hundreds of museum collections around the world. Why? Because most our daily feeds are filled with repetitive low-quality content, like "get-rich Bitcoin-quick" investment posts, funny baby video clips, or endless political rants. But "beauty", the kind found in art (as well as nature, architecture, and other forms of craftsmanship) feed us in ways quick entertainment can't.
A Good Life is shaped by what we choose to see, listen to, read about and consume. And these days, beauty is something we need to purposefully seek out. Because without it, we lose so much richness in life.
What beautiful spaces, places or things add richness to your Good Life?
Share it in the comments here or below and tell us where it is located so we can all have beauty in our eyes, even for a moment. Remember to log in to leave a comment.
While you’re here!
If you like the idea of happiness and feel someone in your life should too, pass along this newsletter. They can sign up at www.happinessmatters.org.
If you want to be part of a growing community of people also choosing happiness, follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Why not learn the skills of happiness? Sign up to my course here, where I share scientifically tested strategies to help you build a better life. You can also “gift” the course to others.
...and! Have you heard of the upcoming Dubai 30x30 Happiness Challenge? If you haven't yet, you will and I hope you'll take part! Expect an email on this soon.
Have a great week!
Responses