I'm sure my father-in-law would be gratified to know that I think he said something profound. Actually, he's said a number of profound things. He's also said a number or really silly things, but most humans have. He said (once he started driving again after his eye surgery), "Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it isn't there." He was referring to an incident in which he glanced over his right shoulder, didn't see anything and proceeded to change lanes into the car that was pacing him. He was so used to having been able to see out of that eye that since nothing registered, his brain said, ah, nothing's there.

The profundity of this statement goes beyond his original intent. Yes, just because we didn't see that table leg we just tripped on doesn't mean it isn't there. It just means that it failed to register or we weren't looking. But if we look at this statement from a different perspective, it could mean so much more. Just because we don't see the good intent in someone's heart doesn't mean it isn't there. Just because we don't see the frustration a child is feeling doesn't mean it isn't there. Just because we don't see the value of another human being doesn't mean it isn't there. Just because...well, you get the idea.

I think what I'm trying to say here is that most of us go through life seeing exactly what we expect to see around us, both physically and intellectually. If something unusual does manage to grab out attention, it is often looked at as undesirable as it is likely to represent change. (I'll beat my head on that one some other time.) Try looking around for something different. The obvious choices would be the beauty in the stars or in the sunset/rise. These are great, but try looking for the beauty in your fellow human being. Try seeing the beauty in the hearts of others. You might be surprised at what you find.

Since I started this by mentioning my father-in-law, I feel it only fitting to end it with one of his jokes:

After considering the menu at a local restaurant for several minutes, my father-in-law asked the waitress, "Is the Eggs Benedict served on a chrome platter?"
The waitress gave him a blank stare and said, "Gee, I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
"Because", he replied, "there's no plate like chrome for the hollandaise."