pul·chri·tu·di·nous /ˌpəlkrəˈto͞odənəs/ = beautiful
For most of my life, my opinion of lantana was simple: “Lantana is a high-maintenance weed that takes over in the summer and dies back in the winter. I hate it.” I’ve spent countless hours ripping these established bushes out of yards.
Then came the “until.”
“Until” is a powerful word, signifying a break, a transformation, a shift in perspective. It’s a word that sparks hope, whether in an abstract idea or a personal relationship. My journey from lantana detractor to admirer began when I paused to photograph its blossoms.
Lantana flowers boast a stunning array of colors—purple, pink, white, yellow, orange, red—a true cornucopia. As I focused on their blooms, I saw their beauty. I used the word “pulchritudinous” precisely because it doesn’t sound like “beautiful”—it was my ironic, facetious, and silly way of highlighting this transformation. It perfectly encapsulates my shift in perception.
By letting go of my desire to eradicate them, I unknowingly opened myself up to appreciating them. A closer look revealed a splendor of colors, blending to create a unique rainbow in each slightly different bloom.
People are much the same. When we stop judging them, we unknowingly open ourselves to loving them. When we take a closer look, shifting our focus from preconceived notions of their limitations, they too become, pulchritudinous, beautiful.
Shalom, Paul