That was the sole question from our recent Rwanda/America student exchange project (see the last two vids in our video section if you're unfamiliar)...and it's a darn good question too, and one I thought I'd therefore ask of you readers:

So, what do you think? From your experience & in your opinion...what is the most beautiful thing? Think about this one now! And try to explain your reasoning...as I find that the 'why' is often more compelling than the 'what'.

Personally, I've come slowly to believe that life is beset upon all sides with vast and dense expanses of overwhelmingly beauty - in both nature and in human nature...but often we haphazard humans are no position or mindset to see it...but when we are in a position it's instantly a life-changing, life-expanding, and life-affirming view. Life is tough, and yet one of the beautiful things about life is this toughness...beauty manifests from both the best and the worst, from the softest and from the hardest,...beauty is never absent.

So, hey, look around! What makes you feel, what makes you cry, what enlivens your spirit...what is the most beautiful thing? OK, now share this beauty with all of us...tell us what makes it so beautiful :-)

Share your thoughts and I'll reciprocate ;-)

And, in the meantime, enjoy the beauty at least two times daily.

Sean

Hi Sean,
I was one of those visitors in the medical People To People group who visited you in late March. I was intrigued with your dedication to try to film EVERYTHING. You posted a great picture of my wife Kathy Burns helping unload supplies for the clinic. I check your updates at least twice a week and thoroughly enjoy your writing - don't stop.

Beautiful - certainly best described as in the eye/mind of the beholder - for me is most recently thinking about your sister's incredible dedication to making that clinic work. Beautiful is how she kept her focus in spite of odds I can only describe as insurmountable. Beautiful too, is how you stuck it out with her! OK, my wife and some sunrises and sunsets and mama animals watching out for their babies are beautiful too. I prefer calling beautiful how folks like you and your sister have made and continue to keep making things happen. Things that benefit people who will cherish those benefits. Keep writing, keep filming, and keep us posted through your updates. Bill Hill

Bill, I'm just speechlessly thankful for your empowering words.

That precious day with you, your wife, and the entire People to People delegation was one of those rare afternoons when everything seems possible and you just know in your heart that many good things are on the horizon...and ever since that day the Shingiro Project has gone splendidly well :-)

Thank you for your kindness. You give us strength and motivation to carry on. And you provide the entire CCHIPS Team of Ro, Bill, Heidi, Elie, Jeanne D'Arc, Rene, Gabby, John, and Alice with the not-always-so-apparent perspective that they're not working merely to upgrade and renew a health center but that, indeed, they're working towards something much epically grander...each and every day they're working towards the realization of a vision, a shared vision, a beautiful vision, a vision of a world that is kind and caring to its people, especially to those in dire pain, hunger, and need. It is humanity's most precious vision and one that hopefully will continue growing thanks to the persistent hard work of organizations such as CCHIPS, MGVP, and People to People.

God Bless You,

- Sean

The last few weeks have not been very kind. Let's just say that on a scale of one to ten, something like negative twenty would be about right. As I was wallowing in a bit of self pity for yet another blow I'd been dealt, a friend e-mailed me an invite to the park. I had to decline as I would be on a train at the time they would be hanging in the park. Sensing me wallowing, my friend immediately replied with this clip about "Penguins". It made me so happy! I love that these animals are doing something scientists have said Penguins couldn't do, and I love the pure child-like wonderment of the host. It's not only beautiful to watch, it's beautiful that my friend knew that I needed to see it at that moment!

Sean, you are right that there is so much beauty in the world, and I have been particularly touch by the beauty that's out there over these past few weeks. I feel most important is the beautiful connection between people and between people and animals. And even when that connection seems severed by death I find that isn't really true. You can choose to let that person go, or as many choose, you can keep them with you and further strengthen the bonds with others around you. The beautiful thing is, you are never alone. You will find this everywhere if you're looking for it. For a few examples in music, which I have to mention as it's one of my favorite things of beauty, check out "Colors" by Amos Lee, "My Skin" by Natalie Merchant, or "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap; songs of pain and loss that convey a visceral experience of the reality and let you know that pain isn't yours alone. Also beautiful are how people support one another; people care about you and are there for you if you'll only reach out to them, "Time after Time" by Cyndi Lauper, or "I Know" (under Songs follow Album streams link to "I Know" halfway down) by Jude.

Glimpses of beauty really are everywhere, and I thank those around me for helping to point them out when my vision's gotten a little cloudy with tears. Some things to take extra delight in are the click of the door when someone you love comes home, your families' voices across a telephone connection hundreds (or even thousands) of miles away, the amazing silence of falling snow, a swing with a tennis racket that perfectly hits that sweet spot, watching someone unexpectedly offer up their seat on the subway, or when you got so busy you forgot what time it was and you stumble upon magic hour and swear you've never seen anything so beautiful in all your life.

Miranda,

A more elegant and visceral description of beauty I've never read. Thank you.

Sorry to hear you're having some rough weeks.

Keep that chin up.

Sean