The Ugly Chandelier

Beba SchlottmannOther Writings 8 Comments

Beauty in things lies in the mind which contemplates them. – David Hume

I have a beautiful chandelier hanging off the ceiling in my dining room.  I remember the day I bought it from a friend at church after seeing it in a picture she had shown me.  When I got the chandelier home, I called my sister and her husband to come over and help me put it up (my brother in law is very handy at stuff like that).

When we took the chandelier out of the box it was stored in, we gasped…It looked nothing like the picture!  I mean, it was obviously the same chandelier but it didn’t look as majestic, instead it looked dated and unatractive.  I put it back in the box and thought I’d try selling it at a yard sale or something.  I was so disappointed!

Just before we put it away, my sister said, take it out again and let’s take a better look, perhaps there is something we can do to make it look better.  I remember just staring at it and trying to imagine how we could make it look beautiful.  In taking a better look, we both agreed, the chandelier definitely had character.   I thought painting it might help and when I mentioned it to my sister she agreed.

That afternoon, while I went to the store for some items, my brother in law spray-painted the chandelier a charcoal color and cleaned it up good, he then hung it up in my dinning room and waited for me to return.  When I walked in the front door, the first thing I saw was a beautiful chandelier hanging on my dining room ceiling.  I gasped once again but for a different reason; it looked beautiful!

I learned a neat lesson that day; “don’t give up on something because it doesn’t look quite like you had envisioned!” Do you find yourself, like me, giving up on a project or maybe even a person because at first glance it/ he/she didn’t meet your expectations?  There are things in life worth a second look.  Maybe a few adjustments are needed, but if you sense there is character, don’t give up on them.

Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies, for example. – John Ruskin

Comments 8

  1. Beba! you definitely touched my heart right now in my college because I’ve trying to give up in college. Everyday gets harder and harder and I pray to God for strength. I believe this block was for me. Thank you!

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  2. Great thought. I’ve seen this chandelier in person. It indeed is beautiful. This particular post spoke to me today.

    Thanks, Beba, for your inspirational writing. It is a gift to all!

    Brian

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  3. Beba,
    To me that chandelier represents second chances. I’m reminded of that every time I enter your house and see it up there shining in all its glory.

    Great blog!

    Te amo
    Yamila

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  4. beba, i too love taking the old and making it new again! i love the challenge in finding beauty in things that other people would look right over… most everything i own has been referbished- if you will- in one way or another. then i find such joy when people compliment me on these very things! its a direct reflection of gods love for us! he takes the old, used, beat up things and transforms it into something that others not only take notice to, but want to know how it came to be! i really enjoy your blog!

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