8.30.23 // Patterns
Patterns.
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A repeated design. Evident in nature through fractals, lines, meanderings, bubbles, and waves. We see patterns through snowflakes, sunflowers, spider webs, pinecones, honeycombs, and tree branches.
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Beautiful and breathtaking. I stop to admire the patterns, the wild and wonderful repetition, and the art that Mother Nature makes.
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When I think of patterns in nature, I'm blown away by their beauty. I'm in awe that nature could create something so special.
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However, my awe and appreciation for patterns wanes when I start to think about human beings and their patterns. Perhaps from too many years of self-help and the consistent urge for "growth" and progress, I think of patterns and I get a shiver down my spine. I think of patterns and I think of my own therapized list of patterns I've been tasked to change.
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What I see in nature, patterns that are beautiful, I struggle to find beautiful in humans. I see patterns as something to change, not something to understand or hold closely. I think human patterns and I feel a heavy need to fix something even though there are patterns of behaviors that are also awe-inspiring in humans. Kindness, integrity, honesty, loyalty, perseverance, curiosity... These characteristics when repeated are the most stunning patterns weaving not just nature, but humanity and community together.
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So I hold myself like I hold nature, in awe and in curiosity. I hold myself knowing that not all my patterns are beautiful, but they are something to see and learn from. I hold myself knowing that a lot of my patterns are beautiful, like the snowflakes that fall, the sunflowers that grow towards the sun, and the tree branches that reach towards the sky.
