seeking beauty. | THE KLACKNERS

1.22.2014

seeking beauty.

on new year's eve, i went and saw the secret life of walter mitty, and i think it might have been the best way ever to bring in a new year. a soul-stirring movie full of embracing life and adventure and rediscovering joy. i was hooked because it spoke straight into my soul and tugged at the longing i think we all have to be wild and free and adventurous in this one life we've been given.

on this earth, we are always seeking beauty. i seek the things that take my breath away. snow glistened mountain tops, enchanting sunsets, star-filled skies, wind-swepted plains, drives down empty roads with the windows down. we want something to take our breath away...something more. something that makes us feel alive. i don't want to just see the beauty, i want to feel it, and i want it to fill my very soul. it's these things, the glories of nature, formed by my Creator's hands, that fill up my heart.

"what more, you may ask, do we want? ah, but we want so much more -- something the books on
aesthetics take little notice of. but the poets and the mythologies know all about it. we do not want
merely to see beauty, though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. we want something else
which can hardly be put into words -- to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it,
to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it."
-c.s. lewis-
let's be practical, though. it might not be possible for you to go on adventures at the level of walter mitty. you might not jump out of a helicopter into the frigid ocean and then almost be eaten by a shark. you may not explore the himalayas or barely escape the wrath of an exploding volcano. maybe you'll never leave your own country, but as human beings, i think we need to explore. i know i do. my heart craves it. so wherever you are, go, do, see! i'm a firm believer in creating adventures for yourself, even if it's right where you live. explore your city. go for a hike. stand on top of a mountain and take in the views. it's these things that remind me how small i am. yet, my Jesus who created these mountains and rivers, created me, and in His eyes, i am of far greater worth than all of the things i find beautiful. and that brings tears to my eyes.

a couple days ago as i was driving to work, i witnessed one of the most beautiful sunrises. i was sitting at a stoplight so i had time to just stare at all the colors and drink it all in. then i looked around at the cars surrounding me, and guess what i saw? NO ONE ELSE WAS LOOKING AT THE SUNRISE. it killed me. i wanted to kindly shout, "don't you see what you're missing??" friends, please don't take this life for granted. enjoy every moment. beauty surrounds us every day. you just have to take the time to look around to see it. i never want to get to a point in my life where i've gotten "used" to the beauty. i hope i always keep that sense of awe and wonder.
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walter mitty received mixed reviews from critics, but i say go see it. maybe more than once. i did! critics don't always know what they are talking about and they certainly don't always "get" life.

in the movie, walter quotes LIFE magazine's motto a couple times >> "To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life."

i just love that.



p.s. the soundtrack for this film is fantastic. go listen to it ASAP. :)
Kaysie G said...

This is so beautifully written and so true. I'm that person who fixates on something amazing and kind of has a fit when no one else appreciates it, especially if it's fleeting (the sunsets in San Angelo are amazing - and I grew up on the beach in Florida).

Elizabeth Mayberry said...

"don't you see what you're missing??"



mmm. a good reminder to look for the beauty in this life.


also, watching that music video is like seeing the movie again!

Megan McIlvaine said...

eeep! i know! can't wait for it to come out on dvd :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

thanks girl. yes, so true. those fleeting moments are the ones i like to soak in the most.

agodfashionedlife said...

Can't wait for this movie to come out. Such a fantastic recap of the reminders to seek beauty, Meg!


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Christina Main said...

How fun! That was the OTHER movie I wanted to see! We got movie tickets for Christmas and right away I said, I want to see Walter Mitty and Saving Mr Banks! We just saw Mr. Banks (seriously so good) so now we have to see Mitty! Can't wait!

Samantha@Elah Tree said...

This is fantastic! I can't wait to see the movie! I love your encouragement to be more adventurous! It helps me to be more adventurous in my city, which sometimes is overwhelming, but adventurous non-the-less!

Kiki said...

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I so admire your love for adventure and how contagious it is, too. I also love what you said about adventure and creating them for yourselves. Just because you can't hop on a plane (because let's be honest, with a teacher's salary, that's not happening anytime soon!) doesn't mean adventure isn't out there for me to discover. :) I've actually been trying to embrace and soak in each moment this year and this post goes so well with my goals.



LOOOVE THIS POST! :)

Robyn Black said...

i haven't seen the movie yet, but i've been wanting to! and now i do even more! this post is just amazing - thank you for the challenge :)

Caitlin | The Siren's Tale said...

I love this post so much. It's a good reminder for all of us to live loudly and embrace the beauty, no matter where we are. Sometimes I catch myself saying/thinking something about "Well one day when I can _____, I'll be happy and feel more free". That seems silly to constantly wait around for the "one day" to come when I'm not strapped down by a full-time out-of-the-house job. Instead, I'm going to work to embrace any moments that come up. Whether they're at work, during the commute, or during a lazy night home in PJ's. Thank you for this!

Megan McIlvaine said...

i know! the music was one of my favorite parts!!

Megan McIlvaine said...

ahhh! i'm tempted to pre-order it on amazon :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

Haha! Those were two of my favorites this holiday season! Can't wait for you to see Walter Mitty! Also, Mr. Banks was incredible. Did you cry? I cried off and on all the way through...haha.

Megan McIlvaine said...

thanks girl! yes, get out there! one of these days i'll come visit you and we can explore cali together :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

right?? like "UP" taught us, "adventure is out there!" ;) sometimes i get a little jealous of the people who are able to take lots of trips (especially overseas), and that's just not really an option for me right at this point. i have to remember though that my worth isn't found in how many trips i take or how many places i've visited, and that helps keep the jealousy at bay :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

thanks, friend :) glad you liked it! and yes...see the movie ASAP! and lemme know what you think! :)

Megan McIlvaine said...

i'm so glad this encouraged you, caitlin! you are exactly right. embrace the beauty and the moments. it seems to me that it's the little moments that matter the most, and they tend to add up :)

Amy said...

"don't you see what you're missing" - beautifully said. and something we often need to be reminded of either with a kind nudge or a kick in the face ;)
i've been wanting to see this movie - and i'll probably see it when it comes out on DVD - but i loved everything you said in this post - yay for an adventure filled spirit!

Megan McIlvaine said...

friend, you must see it! totes redbox it when it comes out! :)

Jessica said...

I absolutely adore of monsters and men, and I'm so glad they used their music. Its so inspiring! I'm definitely going to see this.

Elizabeth Mayberry said...

it comes out TODAY!!

jkjk.


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