The beauty of what you love
"Let the beauty of what you love, be what you do." - Rumi
Once a few years back, I painted this quote on a canvass and hung it in my room. There was something about the way it was worded that I wanted to keep reminding myself of. A lot of Rumi's writing is that way.
But this post isn't about Rumi, or at least isn't just about Rumi. Instead it is about those moments in places where what you come across feels like pure artistic inspiration.
This picture was taken at one such place. I took it in July of 2017, in Giverny. Our day trip to Giverny was part of a post high school graduation euro trip I had planned to take my sister on. We learned a lot about each other on that trip, we fought a lot, we explored a lot, we ate a lot.
But this day sticks out to me. Not only because of the sheer beauty of the gardens, or the pride at being able to navigate our way there on our own. But also because, as a writer, it was this moment of being in a sacred place. In a place where you knew beautiful art had been inspired and produced. And for a moment, looking out over the water lilies and seeing what Monet might have saw was grounding in a way I can't explain.
It's moments like these from my travels that I am so grateful to have. And places like this one, I sometimes can't believe I've been able to visit.