In times of exhaustion, grief, or trial, holding on to a sense of order and loveliness is essential. Though many trials of life cannot be easily fixed with a pat answer, the difficulty of walking through them is often eased if it can be experienced in a lovely environment.
We all feel the weight of the world and its ability to dissolve into chaos. A simple way to combat chaos is to focus on creating small spaces of beauty.
It is not about perfection; it is about creating a vestige of peace when our lives are fraught. Beauty reminds me that there is a pattern and shape to events of my life. So when life is too much for you, light a candle, put on music, pour yourself a cup of tea, and take a deep breath.
Read more about this in The Lifegiving Table.