Beauty in everything

Finding meaning in the world around us

The 2023 has just started.
And, with that, my search for meaning enters a new phase.

The famous psychologist Viktor Frankl founded his therapeutic approach on the search for a higher life purpose.
Stating that this exploration can lead to self realisation.
And allow humans to go through the most severe adversities.
As he witnessed firsthand when imprisoned in concentration camps during WWII.

According to his writings, meaning can be found in 1. relationships, 2. work and 3. suffering.
Which implies that there is a sense external to us.
Which we can go on and reach for.

---

If I look at myself as I write this, I mostly look for meaning in work.
It is what has led me to take a career break months ago.
To rethink what I was spending my time on.

I have been searching for a higher sense in my doings, in the activities I do.
Attempting to manufacuture a more meaningful life.

It has surely revealed useful and authentic.
Has led me to conduct many experiments and to rediscover former passions.
But has also put a lot of pressure on my ability to find “the right thing”.

So, what if I could find a more gentle approach?

---

I have been looking for alternatives.
Which could release the pressure and open new possibilities.
And I have come across a quote which opened my eyes.

“The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.” (Alan Watts)

According to Watts, meaning is always present.
It does not need to be manufactured with endless doings.
And can be simply rediscovered in the now.

But how?

A wonderful gratitude practice can help with that.
I have called it “Beauty in everything”.

It is both very simple and extremely gratifying.
And consists in noticing beauty in the world around us.
Using it as a gateway to appreciate what we have now.
So that we can find meaning in the simple fact of being alive.

I have a note easily accessible on my mobile.
And write anything beautiful I come across in my visual field.

I do it randomly, when I feel inspired.
I remember that “This moment matters”.
And write a few sentences.

My “Beauty in everything” note

It can be anything.
The simpler and more mundane, the better.
From a leaf falling off the floor, to the reflection of the sun on a window, to the eyes of a child crossing my path.

For instance, I can now notice the brilliant green of the basil plant in front of me.
The wax coming down from the candle on my desk.
The snow on the roofs of Berlin.

It only takes 3 steps:

1. Create a “Beauty in everything” note

2. Repeat silently the sentence “This moment matters”

3. Notice the details around us and write down 2-3 beautiful things worth noticing

It generates gratitude.
It generates wonder.
And gives meaning to life itself.

---

Seeing beauty in everything reduces the sense of separation from the environment we live in.
Allows to notice small details, that we often take for granted.
And might be a great way to find sense in a life which might just need to be lived.

Give it a try.
It might work for you too.
And open new perspective in your search for meaning.

Have a beautiful life journey,
— Livio

12/12/2022

P.s.: As an overly analytical person, I tend to get stuck in my decisions. In my newsletter, I share practices to face of significant life changes with more balance and peace of mind. Subscribe to follow my journey ;)