Beautiful Things
Some things in life are just beautiful. Here is my list that brings a gentle smile to my face and a contented pleasurable sigh
My list avoids the obvious. It goes without saying that sunsets are beautiful, as are tropical fish, and David Beckham. No, my list doesn’t dwell on the obvious, rather I suggest more subtle favours – to be savoured as small delights.
Stan Wawrinka’s backhand.
Most tennis players use a two handed backhand. Subsequently, there are very few players who still use the purists’ one handed backhand. Both Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka (must be something in the Gruyère) use this traditional stroke. Roger’s is delightful, but Stan’s is joy. There is no more beautiful sight in sport than watching Stan unfurl his backhanded racquet. Watching Bolt over 100m comes a close second (unlike his opponents).
A laughing baby.
It is surprising that the internet is so dominated by videos of cats and dogs. While watching Rover sing My Dog Has Fleas scratching his butt, is pretty funny, it doesn’t reach the sheer joy of a laughing baby. You cannot watch a baby giggling and gurgling and not feel enveloped by a sense of wonder and well being. Not only is this type of laughter as infectious as a disco beat, it washes away our troubles like a silky bubble rising swiftly into a moonlit sky.
A breastfeeding mother.
However, as Kent Brockman would say. “Breastfeeding is like a solar eclipse – it’s free, it’s beautiful, but under no circumstances should you stare at it”. A mother lovingly providing contentment and security to a bundled baby always brings a smile to one’s face. And yet, when we see a 5 year old being breastfed we are inclined to glance nervously and scurry away – cringing as we did when witnessing the tent scene inBrokeback Mountain. We know we shouldn’t mind, but we just do.
Sarah Brightman’s voice.
If you have never listened to Sarah Brightman sing Pie Jesu, then you have denied yourself one of life’s simple pleasures. Even though the song is part of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem (Mass for the dead), the sheer beauty of melody and voice combine into a sublime and joyful experience. Sarah Brightman’s voice is like a mountain stream. Crisp, refreshing, delicious.
Dolphins.
So do I feel guilty that I took my children to Marineland in Napier and watched dolphins doing tricks? Nope. The dolphins were awesome. I even got to pat one, AND, I’m sure he smiled at me. Seeing a dolphin leap into the air and then backflip with a pike and double twist is beautiful to watch. There are many other beautiful animals out there, but for my money you can’t beat Flipper and his buddies putting on a show. Ok, yes I should go out into the ocean and see them in the wild where they roam free – I’ve tried that but they keep swimming away.
So there you have it. Four things that warm my soul like Mrs B’s buttocks on a chilly night. You will notice that there are no examples of landscape architecture or design on my list. Yes, the Sydney Opera house is beautiful, like giant copulating armadillos drenched in desert sun, and Paris in spring is surely as charming as Casanova’s bar side banter. Yet, for beauty beyond compare, the animate wins hands down.
Richard Alexander Bain
self confessed beautifile