beauty within the slum [a scene from africa] from JJ Starr on Vimeo.
I was reminded this morning that beauty is not just a conversation about what we wear, what size models we think magazines should display or what we find physically appealing or attractive. Beauty can be found in an attitude, a way of life. Our friend JJ has been filming in Africa and as I looked through his videos while eating breakfast this morning, I was struck by the title of this one.
“beauty within the slum”
Here is what JJ had to say about this video, “so far on my many journeys through Uganda and Kenya my favorite part has been this short video. This kid lives in the Namuwangu Slum just outside of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. He’s blind but is well known by all the people who work and live within in the slums as a “ray of sunshine”. Upon meeting him he wanted to play his harmonica for us, and what follows is beautiful. Thanks to someone he will probably never meet he was able to receive money to attend a special needs school outside of the slum.”
Thanks for the reminder, JJ. Beauty is bigger than a size, our clothes or an appearance.
Where do you find beauty in your life?
Everywhere …
I dig deep to find the beauty within people even if they treat me bad, because I know that everybody is beautiful in their own way.
I feel as though I always take advantage of my sight and I thank God everyday that I am able to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us wether it be in nature or in the people around us.
What beautiful music & a wonderful story. The smile on his face is a priceless reminder to be thankful for everything we have been blessed with.
That was absolutley beautiful. I love how people overcome what most people see as a disability (blind, deaf, mute, etc.) This reminds me of an episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The child on the show had been born blind. At some point during the episode he says (something along the lines of) “I don’t see being blind as a disability, as much as a gift. Where most people that can see form there opinions and such based on what people look like, i can form my opinions based on the individual.” I saw that episode awhile ago, and it has stuck with me, although the exact wording has not.
Like Caitlin said, his smile is amazing. Happiness is contagious, and smiles are like germs. When one person smiles, it has a domino effect, and everyone else can’t help but smile as well. =)