“There is a road from the eye to the heart that does not go through the intellect.” ~ G.K. Chesterton
Chesterton wrote clearly that our perception becomes our reality when we sense something attracting our special interest speaking to our innermost person, beyond the superficial appearance of another person. In other words it is our heart that triggers our response. The heart is also symbolism for that which informs us that our interest in that person has not been triggered by their physical appeal.That interest in the other person need not be a romantic inclination, but of a desire to assist them. Something from within our being intervenes to draw attention to the object of our attention.
“The common ‘eye’ sees only the outside of things, and sadly judges by that.
But the loving eye pierces through and reads the heart and the soul.”
~ Mark Twain
Thus our perception of beauty remains subjective.
Classical literature informs us that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, with the understanding that authentic beauty resides within the human person. It might therefore be arguable that our attraction to another person may not be driven by their physical appearance, but by their character traits appealing to our need to seek satisfaction beyond the superficial.
I have learned, even way back in my youth that there is something highly influential within our being, guiding us towards those whom we are expected to befriend. The curious among us will question our preference, even listening to our friends pouring scorn on us for making such a poor choice per their perceptions... restricted to their superficial evaluation.
In my childhood years I made use of those penny-machines that tell your fortune. You put a penny in...and out comes a card, only this particular machine (our heart) is unique in that the fortunes that it tells happen to come true...when we rely on our heart to make a choice leading us to into a loving friendship.
What's the moral of this story telling?
When we listen to, and implement into our life the counselling of our heart...our innermost friend...there begins a loving friendship with the greatest love of all our loves...
known to us as the divine presence.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
~ Proverbs 4:23
One of my favourite Twilight Zone (1959) episodes delved into the matter of beauty, physical appearance by any other description addressing perception per society's understandings. I provide a link to this episode to better provide our readers with the thought that beauty of our fellow human neighbour is always a matter for the eye of the beholder. A particularly mature, well scripted, and superbly acted episode worth watching for turning our perceptions upside, down:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7zw2mq
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