Beauty Is The Essence of Life

I was sitting at the kitchen table in our family home in Brighton, Queensland. My husband and children were no longer there. I was alone in our rundown, ramshackle home—sad, disillusioned with the world, and, of course, heartbroken. I was on my own now, with no one to hold my hand or offer support.

As I sat there eating my toasted sandwich and sipping a cup of tea, bugs were flying into the house. It had been raining, and we had no screens on the windows. The house looked like something you would see in a demolition zone. The cladding on the outside was falling off, and there was nothing left but the roof and the walls surrounding it. The house was a mess—and so was I.

While I was sitting there, these words suddenly popped into my mind. It was ten years ago now, and I’ve never forgotten them. The words were: "Beauty is the essence of life." At the time, I thought it was strange, because it wasn’t something I would normally say or even think. It just appeared in my mind out of nowhere.

I looked it up in the Bible, thinking it might be related to something there. Yes, it speaks of inner beauty, but that still didn’t answer my question. And the mystery remained unanswered—until today.

The phrase "beauty is the essence of life" suggests that beauty, in its many forms—whether in nature, art, relationships, or experiences—captures the core or fundamental meaning of life. It implies that beauty brings depth, joy, and meaning to our existence, and that recognizing or experiencing beauty allows us to connect with life's true purpose or significance. The idea also evokes the thought that beauty transcends physical appearance, embodying qualities like harmony, love, and inspiration.

Here’s the breakdown of possible interpretations:

Aesthetic Beauty: Refers to the physical or visual aspects of life that bring pleasure, such as nature, art, or architecture. It suggests that the world is inherently beautiful and that we are drawn to its form.

Emotional Beauty: Represents the feelings and experiences that move us, such as love, compassion, and kindness. The emotional connections we form can make life meaningful. 

Spiritual Beauty: Refers to moments of transcendence, peace, or insight. It can be linked to a sense of harmony with the universe or a higher power.                |

Beauty in Struggles: Suggests that even in hardship, there is beauty to be found—whether through personal growth, resilience, or the lessons learned in difficult times.  

This phrase often reflects the idea that appreciating beauty in all its forms helps to enrich and elevate the human experience. Since then I have experienced all of the above.