“Without friends, no one would want to live, even if he had all other goods.” -- Aristotle

Although I have - in my short, short blogging history - only addressed the forms of beauty that come in a pot or a pencil, there's something I'd like to talk about, even if it goes a bit outside of the range I had originally set up for myself. But, I think, that this sort of exploration can be fun, and I never wanted to confine myself anyway, so here it goes!

Beauty - the really, really important kind - isn't something that is found in products. Beauty is so much more than that, and it's important to really think about it - and to love it and appreciate it - before raving about lipstick.

Recently, I was in a bit of a bad place: I won't go into detail but I had a lot of anxieties that were weighing on me so much it felt physical. I just felt…down, like the world was so heavy. And then, I don't know what happened or why, but I finally found the deep breath I was looking for. And things just got a whole lot easier and happier. And that all started when I began to really appreciate the beautiful things.

I know this sounds like a massive cliche, but I wouldn't share this if I didn't feel it to be in some way important. I was just suddenly able to see this incredible beauty all around me, and no matter what mess was going on inside my head, I felt okay in the end, because I had this realization. I was so happy and thankful for being me and for being in a good place with even better friends (more on that soon). And beauty is everywhere and stepping back and really knowing this makes life…wonderful.

Back to friends. Friendship is - I think - one of the most powerful forms of beauty I have ever come to understand and feel. I don't think there can be anything more beautiful than finding a friend with whom you can share just about everything with.

I am writing with my best friend in mind, and I am constantly amazed with how blessed I am to have her in my life. She has shown me beauty in so many things, and I think this is what friendship does. It forms this amazing relationship between people, and this organic thing that people can create can never be destroyed…how perfect! Although we met a few years ago, she's become such a massive part of my life, and there have been so many huge moments that we have shared (both incredibly joyful and incredibly sad) and this has made - and will make - us both stronger. And friendships seems to me to be a sort of armor against all that happens in the world: when the good things happen, friends are there with you to celebrate and hold your hand, and when the bad things happen, they're there with you to cry and rant, and hold your hand, too. I think the true beauty of friendship is that it can stand the test of life: we need it, and we create it, and once it is formed, nothing can ruin this sort of bond. And I think this is absolutely amazing, and Beautiful. 

In my own personal life, trying to understand the beauty of things has made me much, much happier. And my beautiful friends have made me much, much happier. And I know that whatever happens to us, whether it be the best things in life, or the absolute worst, we're going to make it. And I know this because I believe in this beauty, and I believe in the beauty of friendship.

Anyway, I just wanted to put all of this down because it's been circling in my head for the last three weeks, and I am trying to make sense of it all. And I don't know if I did the job well, but it's now out there - and I hope this can also mean something to someone.