Detail Of Making the Van Gogh

AS I WALKED ALONG, I heard decry of defeat and thought I would see if I could make my Van Gogh.

Sitting carefully in deceit, I didn't want to flatten decrease in deplete of my pants. It might disturb depress of it.

However, detest of my intentions came when I read design. It warned me not to drive in defog. Even when I turned on delights, they didn't penetrate devoid.

I didn't want to pay define for device of disobeying design and driving in defog. Then, default would be mine, demean policeman would give me a ticket, and defer would fly.

Thus, when it came time for detest and for devote within myself, I took decide of not wanting to make the Van Gogh.

The Search For Beauty

LOOKING FOR AND ENJOYING BEAUTY is a way to nourish the soul. It is the deepest dream of the human soul to be in the intimacy of Divine Beauty. Even in the drab environment of this prison yard from which I write, inmates are continually trying to create drawings and objects that are esthetically appealing.

One of the most important - and most neglected - aspects of our lives is the ability to respond to reality, to see the value and the beauty in ordinary things, to come alive to the splendor that is all around us. So often, we just do not see it.

In turning away from things that are graceful and elegant, we turn away from all that is wholesome and true and deliver ourselves into an exile where the vulgar and the artificial dull and deaden our human spirit. There is a widespread habit in our society of mistaking glamour for beauty. Far too much emphasis is put upon good looks, image, and fashion. Far too little attention is given to the dignity, grandeur, and nobility of the human spirit.

It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I know that by beholding it in every person and in every place, I am blessed. I find that walking this path is acknowledging the goodness of creation and feeling the radiance in everything.

Thomas Merton eloquently expressed this when he wrote: "Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths where neither sin nor desire can reach the person each one of us is in God's eyes. If only they could see themselves as they really are. If only we could see each other that way, there would be no reason for war or hatred or cruelty. I suppose the big problem would be that we would fall down and worship each other."

I believe that the day will come when we will review our life and be thankful for every minute of it. Every hurt, every sorrow, every joy, every celebration, every moment of our life will be a treasure to us, for we will see the utter perfection of the great design. We will stand back from the weaving and see the tapestry, and we will weep at the beauty of it.

© 2001-08, Tom Brown

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charles "Tom" Brown was a successful investor who did very well in real estate, oil, and the stock market. Friends began asking him to invest for them, too. And he did. Things went well, and more people heard about his abilities and wanted to be included in the investment strategies he had devised. All went well until there was a dramatic change in the market. All that went up turned down, and Tom wanted everyone to still have a profit - his big mistake - as he wanted to be well thought of. Tom was accused of defrauding investors. Although it was shown that he had never diverted any money for himself other than a modest commission, through unbelievable mishandling by an incompetent or dishonest attorney, what should have been a one-year sentence became a 17-year sentence. At the time of judgment, Tom was 62 years of age.

The purpose of Tom's blog is not to dwell on the injustice, but rather, to show the incredible unfoldment of consciousness in a man who has taken this sentence and created a workshop of Soul and Spirit out of it. His words are designed to help us see into life and do better with what we've been given. Tom's Beyond the Wall blog is located at www.Beyondthewall.blogs.com.  If you would like to write to Tom, he appreciates correspondence.  He does not have access to a computer but can be reached via Charles "Tom" Brown, # 140237, ASPC - Lewis, Barchey Blue - D2 - E5, P.O.Box 3200, Buckeye, AZ, 85326.