Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

Greetings, Earth dwellers. 

I have been on your lovely planet for quite a few years now, 27 to be exact. I came not just as a guest to your planet, but as a curious traveler enchanted by the wonders of this world. My primary function was of course to observe the human condition, however my time here has also allowed me to witness many other beautiful things your planet has to offer. You see, my kind comes from a star system where things are vastly different—colors are not like yours, senses are expanded, and time flows in ways you cannot imagine. But it is precisely this distance from Earth’s realities that makes your world all the more fascinating. From an outsider’s viewpoint, Earth is a kaleidoscope of beauty, woven together by the simplest of things—things you may often overlook.

Let me explain what I see.

Prior to my arrival here on Earth, I had been thoroughly briefed on your technology, your sprawling cities and the curious behaviours of the human species. However what was not shared is Earth’s many wonders and its sheer beauty.  Let’s start, for example, the sky. Every morning, the sky paints itself in hues of gold, pink, and lavender, shifting in soft gradients as if a cosmic artist is at work. To you, this may be routine—a sunrise. Yet, as a being unaccustomed to such displays, I was mesmerized and continue to be to this day. The simplicity of light interacting with your planet’s atmosphere is, to me, an event of profound beauty. You have a natural phenomenon that begins and ends each day with grandeur, and many of you rush through it, too preoccupied to look up.

This is where my story begins, in those small moments that go unnoticed. I realized something about Earth: the beauty here often lies in the seemingly mundane.

Take, for instance, the human concept of growth. As I traveled from city to village, I noticed something that you call “plants”—green beings that rise from the soil toward the sun, each day a little taller than the last. The concept of life taking root in the ground and pushing upward was awe-inspiring. But it wasn’t just the process that struck me; it was the patience involved. Plants do not rush, and yet they transform the landscape with their presence. From a tiny seed comes a towering tree, from a bud, a fragrant flower. The balance of time, growth, and persistence is beautiful in its own quiet way.

To many of you, this is simply nature. But from an outsider’s perspective, it is a magnificent dance of life, unfolding with a silent purpose. When was the last time you stopped to truly admire a flower, or watch the way a leaf trembles in the wind? There is beauty here, if you allow yourself to see it.

Then there is the human form. I observed as humans walk through their lives, often unaware of the elegance in their movements. Each step you take is a marvel of anatomy—bones, muscles, and ligaments working in harmony. Of course, I have witnessed this across other planets as well, but humans did not don’t stop there. You dance. I have seen humans express themselves through movement, twirling and leaping in sync with rhythms, transcending language. This is not something I’ve encountered in my travels across the cosmos. Dance is a language of its own, one that speaks of joy, of pain, of celebration. When I watch humans dance, I see raw emotion translated into graceful motion, as if your bodies are instruments of expression. How easily you overlook this gift! Yet, to me, it is nothing short of breathtaking.

And then there are your relationships. You humans have a peculiar ability to bond with one another, forming complex networks of connection. You call these bonds “love” and “friendship.” What fascinates me most is how you feel deeply for each other, sharing joy and sorrow, offering comfort, and providing support through the most difficult of times. I have observed moments where a simple gesture—a hand on a shoulder, a shared laugh, a tear wiped away—can convey more than words ever could. There is beauty in your kindness, in your capacity to care for one another. It is something that transcends the material, a beauty that resides in the heart.

Perhaps most intriguing is your ability to see beauty in the broken. I’ve seen humans pick up shattered pieces—whether of a physical object or a fractured relationship—and piece them back together. Not only do you mend what is broken, but you sometimes cherish the scars that remain. There is something deeply human in this ability to appreciate imperfection. You call this “wabi-sabi” in some cultures—a recognition that things are beautiful because they are imperfect. On my planet, where perfection is often sought, this concept is alien, pun intended. But the more I observe you, the more I see the truth in it. It is in your flaws that your beauty often shines the brightest.

As I continue my observations on Earth, I have realized that beauty is not rare here. It is abundant. It is in the laughter of children, in the rhythm of rain against a window, in the way light dances on water. It is in the stories you tell, in the memories you share, in the connections you make. You only need to slow down, open your eyes, and let yourselves be amazed by the world around you.

So, Earthlings, I urge you to see your world through my eyes, if only for a moment. Look at the everyday wonders with a fresh perspective. You live on a planet filled with extraordinary beauty—beauty in the ordinary, beauty in the fleeting, beauty in the imperfect. To me, everything here is a masterpiece waiting to be admired. It is a beauty you carry with you every day, whether you see it or not.

You are the artist of your own world. It’s time to stop and appreciate the art all around you.

Yours in peace,

P.a.L.