Much of my happiness comes from the outdoors, either being outside or bringing parts of it inside. Nature fascinates me to the point of referring to myself as a “Nature Nerd.” It’s impossible for me to walk a beach or hike a mountain without collecting seashells or rocks. I am easily awed by the intricate and colorful patterns of a butterfly wing or the crystals hidden inside a geode. The cabinet in my entryway is full of pieces of nature I couldn’t resist bringing home: birds’ nests and bee hives, crab claws and feathers. Each treasure makes me realize how perfectly designed the natural world is. The balance of beauty and strength found in nature is undeniable.
Consider seashells on a beach. By the time a shell is discovered, it’s endured the harshness of the ocean, but its beauty is no less apparent. They are beautiful individually or collectively, whole or chipped. Bird’s nests aren’t as eye-catching, but their construction is a visual wonder. They appear fragile but are capable of withstanding a variety of harsh weather. Even those found on the ground are often intact.
As a “Nature Nerd,” I cannot help but see the similarities between nature and people. External beauty is attention-grabbing, but inner strength is astounding. Those who seem fragile are often stronger than they appear. It’s only upon closer inspection that we witness the strength of another. None of us are unscathed by life. We are tumbled, chipped, and wind-blown, but our individual beauty cannot be diminished. Our differences are as varied as the species and materials in my nature cupboard. The commonality is surviving turmoil and still having beauty to share.
A single butterfly wing is no less beautiful than a fluttering butterfly gracing a garden. Brokenness doesn’t detract from beauty and strength.
