Tags
chalkboard, inspirational, Japan, On my worktable, trees, words
Life is complicated and one day a couple months ago I became extra conflicted. I just didn’t know what to do and was almost paralyzed with insecurity and fear. What should I do? I had trouble figuring out what was good, what was right, and how to please everyone. Nothing seemed clear. Even when I found a task that seemed ok, I quit as soon as it seemed fun. Really? Now how dumb is that, to intentionally sabotage something good?
But then a new thought suddenly filled my mind. That day, instead of doing what seemed good or fun… a clear thought came to mind.
“Do what is beautiful.”
I posted it on my refrigerator and said it out loud. “Do what is beautiful.”
That day, as I looked through photos I took in Japan last year, I was struck how looking at a tree, really appreciating it, the leaves, the bark, is beautiful.
Enjoy the photos slow. Look close. Each pine needle, each curled leaf, each thirsty root.
Do what is beautiful.
I breathed in deep, remembering the smell of pine and forest.
And there, sitting at my computer looking at photos, breathing deep suddenly seemed beautiful.
Everything started to be beautiful!
Washing dishes is beautiful.
Strength is beautiful.
Resting is beautiful.
Sacrifice is beautiful.
Never giving up is beautiful.
The slate from my childhood hangs on my dining room wall. I had not written on it for over a year and it was time for a change. Writing new words on the slate is doing something beautiful.
I started with a pencil sketch.
I sketched out the words to make it all fit.
I erased and edited.
My sketch seemed off and I wasn’t happy with it. It took me a while to figure out that I wanted to do “what is beautiful” not just “something beautiful.” It was such a small change but it made a big difference to me. So I erased again and penciled in Do What is Beautiful.
I picked out a handful of chalk colors to make the drawing.
But I ended up using only neutral colors.

I’ve never minded the scritch and scratch of chalk on the board and even enjoy the dust on my fingertips.
Do you see the tally marks in the lower left corner. Count them… there are
37 tally marks. I made them as I worked on the chalk drawing. Each one of those tally marks is when I erased something on this chalkboard and had to do it over. 37 times I made mistakes or had to straighten a line, or erase or start over. I left the tally marks on the drawing because they represent what is beautiful.
The last part of the message is to Never, Never give up. Never giving up is beautiful.
If you’re at a loss of what to do, do what is beautiful. You will know. And never, never give up.
Sharing this post is a beautiful thing! Thank you so much for the reminder, Julia! :)
I’m reading a book by Russ Roberts where he is “updating” Adam Smith’s book, “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” Funny how his theory written in 1759 is very close to your chalk board saying. “Do something lovely” . It was very important then and is truly beautiful today.
Thank you for sharing.
Excellent life lessons, thank you.
Julia, I love your perspective on things. Your God-given talents never cease to amaze me and I so appreciate everything you envision and make happen!! Well, to some, God gives extraordinary talents and to others, the benefits of enjoying and appreciating the handiwork.
Thank you kindly, Brenda. I am thankful for you.
I’ve had moments like you describe – when nothing seems right until I slow down and actively find the joy – or, as you wrote, actively find the beauty. It truly is all around us. No surprise, really, God did create it. I am SO THANKFUL that you didn’t stop at writing about and sharing your photos from Japan (definitely worth a detailed look). I’m glad you shared your board, from start to finish. I’m especially glad you shared those tally marks – what a perfect metaphor for grace. I am glad I am your neighbor today at Beloved Brews.