Beauty Within

I recently read a story about a father strolling down the sidewalk with his daughter.  They came upon beautiful rose bushes on either side of the walk.  The roses were bright red, full, and so distracting that the pair almost strode off of the walk.  The daughter was smiling and dancing within herself.  It was a tunnel of absolute perfection and beauty.

The daughter turned to her father and said, "Daddy, they are so beautiful!"  Her father looked at her and smiled, and then proceeded to turn to a bush overhanging the sidewalk.  He then kicked the most beautiful rose of the bunch, spreading it's peddles along the walkway.  His daughter looked at him with disgust!  "Father, why would you do that?"  "That rose was so beautiful!"  Her father bent down to look his daughter in the eyes.  He smiled and said, "it still is."

The next time you see someone that looks different, talks different, or smells different....look further.  Look beyond the outside and search for the beauty within.  Everyone has a story, a path, a journey.  Some had a more difficult path to follow.  You can see it in their face.  The anguish, the turmoil, the hurt.  The next time you come across someone like this, do yourself a favor....say hello.

I've learned over the years, that the people no one else talks to, are the people I want to know.  The ones that are overlooked are much more interesting to me.  Their stories are deep, often dark, and always enlightening.

I remember going to Columbus in my early 20's.  I had to help my brother move.  I found myself wandering around just off the Ohio State campus, and I came upon a homeless black man.  He was sitting on a flattened card board box.  I kept on walking a few strides, but then something brought me back.  I approached him, said hello, and asked if I could sit beside him.  He looked at me like I was nuts, maybe I was.  He said, "why would you want to do that for?"  I said, "you look like you could use some company."  He smirked, and then gestured to a spot next to him.  The next half hour was among the most entertaining, wonderful, and educational moments of my life.  I'll never forget that old Army vet.  I wonder if he remembers me.  I bet he does.  All because I chose to seek out the beauty within.  Tomorrow, try it yourself!