"whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever brings a good report, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
- Philippians 4.8
The daily grind has a tendency to soak into my soul like water into a roll of paper towels. Before I know it the petty things become smothering to my heart, and I am dragging my soul around like a dead weight. The bible talks about a "renewing of the mind." If I can place my mind in proximity to the excellence in things around me, I can escape the trap of fear, anger, and hopelessness.
This does not come naturally. It is a spiritual process that comes from a desire to escape futility. This is why beauty is so important to the human soul. Find beauty - and you will find a peaceful mind. Beauty in nature and art are potent for this process. But beauty in the mind can be enjoyed by a person who has never even had the privilege of of seeing.