[January 10, 2023] Be alert! Be alert and focused on the unexpected beauty in life. If you want to overcome life’s murky and tragic nature, look into the darkness, especially when things are bad. You have to look and see where things are still beautiful and where there is something that’s sustaining.
In this search for beauty, we may need to narrow our time frame and be grateful for what we have, which can get us through some very dark times. Even if there is no beauty, then it is being alert itself that can get us through tragedy, and maybe it is at least not absolute hell. You can do that. In the worst situation, you can make it only tragic and not hell. And there is a big gap between tragedy and hell.
“Beauty awakens the soul to act.” – Dante Alighieri
Nothing is worse on the deathbed than seeing the people there fighting. Death is bad enough, as terrible as it is, but we can make it worse if we do not pay attention. Yes, we can make something worse than death, but we can attempt to make terrible things less bad than they are, and then maybe we can tolerate those things we must put up with to exist.
By being alert to beauty, maybe we can make the world a better place, which is what we should be doing. We can do it because we don’t have anything better to do.
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One of the best articles written by Gen. Satterfield. ✔
Excellent article. Thanks.
It is rare to find such a beautiful article about beauty. We want today to degrade our views of beauty. But beauty is not just about appearance. It is a symbol for good health, a positive attitude, and ability to reproduce healthy kids. It is more than just a magazine cover.
Another excellent article and one that takes on a big idea and in so little space. They study of beauty is something that I wish I had undertaken when I was younger.
Welcome to Gen. Satterfield’s blog where you can read the great articles and comment as you wish.
Beauty is everywhere but not common. Look at beauty when you see it and know that it is rare and fleeting. Nothing better than having beauty in your sight and being able to appreciate it. Beauty is also in many things. You don’t need training or education to see and understand it. That is why it is beauty, just like great art.
Thank you, American Girl for writing what I was thinking and couldn’t put it into precise words. That is one of those skills I’m working on developing and by coming to this blog daily, I do believe I am improving. Have a great new year.
Wow, nice! I haven’t really words to describe how much this article hits home for me.
“Beauty awakens the soul to act.” – Dante Alighieri. There is deep meaning in this quote and while Gen. S. did not explain it, I think we should take note and not overlook the idea that “beauty” is more than just looks.
Gen. Satterfield, thank you for raising beauty up as something to aim for.
Right Veronica. That is why I’m such a fan of General Satterfield and his articles, but also this leadership forum that he has provided for us. Cheers!
One really positive thing and enlightening is that Gen. Satterfield points out those things we know to be true but so often cannot put words on it. I think that his ability to do that is fantastically productive. This allows me to also use those words and put into words what I think and do so that it makes sense. To just say “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder,” for example, is not good enough. Words matter. Words help us construct reality and that is what Gen. Satterfield is doing for us and I thank him for it.
“By being alert to beauty, maybe we can make the world a better place, which is what we should be doing. We can do it because we don’t have anything better to do.” – Gen. Satterfield. I was a bit surprised by the last sentence but after thinking about it, I believe Gen. Satterfield is saying that “being alert” keeps us strong and resilient and ready for whatever comes. That is how we protect ourselves, our family, community…. Nothing is more important. So be ready. Be prepared.
Hi Nick. Good comment and yes I do think you got the main message from this article. And the best quote from the short article.
Loved the article too. 😀
Yeah, I am on board with that too. Be alert to beauty …. and never ever forget it.
There is no substitute for beauty. Beauty represents what is good in us and that is why we are so attracted to it.
Gen. Satterfield, pow, another short but powerful comment on those things we should be looking for in our lives and, not so obvious, is BEAUTY. I think if folks looked into your book “55 Rules for a good Life” they will find beauty there too. I’m a huge fan of yours too and hope you write another book soon.
Your biggest fan,
Jeff
Got that right Jeff. Lots of big fans like us out there.
Gen. Satterfield did not disappoint with this short article. I would like for him to write more on beauty. There is something compelling about beauty and I cannot put it into words, maybe he can for us.
Beautiful. Like so many, I noticed you used Sophia Loren as your model for beauty. Well done!
Yes, a real woman who is real in every aspect and not telling us what the latest sexual fetish is on her mind like so many immature, spoiled child-adults in Hollywood today.
Nailed it. I think those “Hollywood types” (and I use that term generically) are truly spoiled brats. Too bad no one would stand up with them and say “enough, let’s get on with your noble life”. Too many sycophants out there to help full us down.
Well said, Lynn. Beauty is beauty, period. We know it when we see it and we don’t need training to see it.
Yes, Emma, he used her image in an earlier article, as well. ❤❤❤❤❤ …. and properly so.