I learned calligraphy in the seventh grade when my classmate’s mother taught the basics during an afternoon art class. In my case, it was pearls before swine. I was hardly an apt pupil. Art was where I parked myself between recess and after-school soccer. But even in my grubby pre-adolescence, her elegant pen strokes struck me as beautiful…
I’ve never employed my chirographic skill apart from that homework assignment. I do, however, remember the lesson vividly for three reasons.
First, it taught me there is beauty in this world. Some things are pleasing when seen; calligraphy is such a thing. It is beautiful to behold and drew me out of my pubescent self.
Second, beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but many see beauty in the same things. Some objects are man-made and others are natural, but attraction to beautiful things is nearly universal. This speaks to an ineffable longing written on our hearts.
Third, we each have the capacity to create beauty through the choices we make and things we do. Not all we do will be beautiful, but it all has the potential to be. The gift of freedom behind all these choices, made and to be made, is itself beautiful.
I’m glad I was dialed into middle-school art class that day so long ago. An impromptu calligraphy lesson taught me a lot about beauty in this world and the one to come.
— Mike Kerrigan, from My First Lesson in Beauty (wsj, July 30, 2022). Kerrigan is an attorney in Charlotte, NC
Notes:
- Post and Post Title inspiration: From a response to this article by Jim Reardon: I enjoyed Mike Kerrigan’s “My First Lesson in Beauty” (op-ed, July 30). Mine came when I encountered Shakespeare in ninth grade. Never had I imagined language could be so powerful and, yes, beautiful. I share Mr. Kerrigan’s skepticism that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A well-cultivated mind comes to recognize the good, the true and the beautiful, whether in art, nature, science or noble acts.
- Photo by Diana Schroder-Bode via unsplash
Live & Learn 
“…an ineffable longing in the heart” – to string together words and have them morph into pearls. Undeniable truth in magnificent prose…
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Yes! That was punch line!
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When was you first lesson in beauty, David?
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Reading your poetry!
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You must be mistaking me for someone else as I do not write poetry. I don’t write at all.
Seriously, when was it?
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I’m still thinking…
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You are such a liar. Everything you write – when you choose to – is poetic.
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I know, right!?!? I can always count on you Dale
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You know it.
The thing is, it comes so naturally for her that she doesn’t see what we do.
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Dif Dale. You and me = open minded vs Bull-head
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Right… umm… who is which?
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You’re very kind
But I don’t write anymore
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Which is wrong in every way possible. And, I can’t say I really believe you, either…
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Hmmmmm
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So true
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Agree!
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beautiful penned, and I understand this so well, the appreciation of care and beauty are so universal indeed
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Agree with you Beth….
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« Not all we do will be beautiful, but it all has the potential to be. »
Beautifully worded. (An attorney wrote this?! Wow.)
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And we have nothing against Attorneys, right Laila?!!
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Yeah, an attorney wrote this, and a banker posted it.
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She’s BACK! With her razor wit!
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Love you 🤭
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Nothing whatsoever!
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Laila! Shame on you.
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I am innocent!
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Hmmmmmm
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While this gentleman may not practice the art of calligraphy, he clearly has mastered the art of the written word. Lovely….
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Hasn’t he though, impressive….
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That was beautifully written and so … I’m trying to think of the word for “laying yourself open to criticism.” Something like a childlike honesty, without guile. Young men don’t often admit to having feelings like this, internalizing beauty and saying it like it is. Like a big man saying, “Gee, that’s so pretty.”
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So well stated Anneli. Yes…as I nod my head.
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Mine came when I encountered Shakespeare in ninth grade. Never had I imagined language could be so powerful and, yes, beautiful. I share Mr. Kerrigan’s skepticism that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A well-cultivated mind comes to recognize the good, the true and the beautiful, whether in art, nature, science or noble acts.
So beautiful, Thank you dear David, Love, nia
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Shakespeare in 9th grade. Good for you. I had it in 11th grade and struggled to see anything. I’m a slow learner. I think had it been presented with it today, I would have a more enlightening response. Thanks for sharing Nia.
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I still don’t get Shakespeare. Or he doesn’t get me. But chances are if I still don’t get him at 50, I’ll never get him.
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That’s cause you are a Poet.
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I’ve been nice for 2 weeks now. I think you’re getting older and getting your followers mixed up.
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Hmmm. Maybe. Just maybe.
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Nia was quoting what was said in your Post and Post Title inspiration: From a response to this article by Jim Reardon:
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Literature for me started with my Dad’s library,… I spent long times in that room… Welcome dear David, have a nice weekend, Love, nia
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So great Nia. Thank you.
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I love this, David. It makes one think (hope?) that we all have some kind of beauty to share…
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Agree Dale!
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🙂
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I don’t have a subscription to WSJ so I wasn’t able to read in entirety the words of Mike Kerrigan…I loved what I did read…Beauty flows within my heart when I encounter nature and many other contacts in my daily life…great share Oh I was one of those who dabbled in calligraphy at the same age…I Did Not Excel in mastery of calligraphy -though I love to look at others masterful work of calligraphy…
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I copied 90% of his article in WSJ….
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