Noticing Beauty

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Seeing Subtle Beauty

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If we pay attention, our personal stories shape how we notice the world around us.

Early in my life, I often moved quickly through familiar scenes without much intention—I saw the surface, but not the deeper rhythms underneath. It wasn’t until I had more life experience, a refined sense of what truly matters to me, and something meaningful I wanted to express that I began to notice with intention rather than simply reacting to what was in front of me.

Artist and poet, Gabriele Glang, once described my work as “spare, elegant, concise—like a poem. Imperfection, wabi-sabi, haiku.” Those words resonated with me because they reflect not just how I see, but how I live: with care, patience, sensitivity, and a willingness to encounter mystery rather than demand tidy explanations.

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​Before I share my ideas, let's take a moment to breathe in this elegant painting by Gabriele from her "Pond" series, where she returned to the same pond over and over, sensing its subtle beauty through the seasons. Visit Gabriele's poetic pond paintings here. 

Golden Pond | Gabriele Glang

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This shift in perspective grew from time spent in places that invite slow attention—places that don’t reveal themselves all at once, but gradually, as you return again and again.

One concept that shaped this outlook is miegakure—a design idea I encountered in Japan that means “hide and reveal.” It’s used in gardens to encourage visitors to slow down, contemplate, and sit with both what is seen and what remains hidden.

This idea mirrored something I was learning in my own life: that beauty and insight often unfold through noticing what is revealed over time, not through instant comprehension.

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This subtle way of attending—of being fully present—has helped me reframe some of the most difficult times in my life. Instead of trying to control every circumstance or rush toward answers, I learned to revel in slow unfolding and find delight in mystery.

We have all been confronted with life’s mysteries in the past few years of living through a global pandemic, which challenges us to let go of control and embrace patience. When you feel overwhelmed or unsettled, try taking a slow walk through your surroundings and turn your concerns over to subtle beauty.

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Here are a few gentle invitations you might explore:

• Notice what you would normally overlook—a leaf nestled in shadow; the way light falls across an unexpected surface; a small, soft sound.
• Allow your body and breath to slow before you engage—sit with the scene first; understanding often comes through prolonged presence.
• Invite mystery in by welcoming what you cannot immediately explain or categorize—beauty sometimes lives in what’s hidden or ambiguous.

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