ugly-beautiful

 

the practice of seeking out the lovely in the gutters of life,

that moment at the end of the day where you lay your head down and give thanks

regardless of circumstances

despite the blood and the sweat and the chills and the unknown

the morning breath that whispers

"this is the day that the lord has made, i will rejoice and be GLAD in it"

even though church isn't part of your life anymore

but you feel grateful, oh so grateful,

 for all that memorization

 done way long ago.

 

ugly-beautiful.

the determined devotion to optimism

that you notice has been waning recently despite your best intentions

so you go out to find it.

to notice the beautiful world around you,

the people who make a difference every single day

the innocence and free spiritedness of children

{we could learn something there}

 

you make eye contact with the ugly

and face it head on even as your heart pounds and your chest tightens up.

you make eye contact long enough to notice the catchlight there

and then,

without fail

{i promise you, if you keep looking}

 

the exhale comes.

the beauty pours in

the gratefulness arrives.

 

 

there amongst the weeds of your life

there is life.

there is light.

 

we go on.

{together}