Pinot vs. Cabernet

The cultivators of Pinot Noir would believe beauty is found in the challenge; the inherent difficulty in the task at hand. Once completed, the effortless endeavors rarely bring the level of satisfaction the intricate, complicated ones do. Their worldview would ascribe to finding fulfillment in doing what is hard.

This may often be the case. In fact, I do believe we grow immensely when hard-pressed with difficulties or challenges. Helen Keller once wrote that, "character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." There is great value in maintaining constant challenge; be it academic, physical, psychological or really any other endeavor. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

However, while this may be true, I believe it is not holistic. There is a beautiful quote I keep in my wallet by Edith Wharton: "In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways." Challenges are good, vital even, yet beauty is also found in the minute details. The monotony of daily life. The way the breeze rustles the grass. The way a butterfly lilts through the air. The way a child laughs, the way a tear falls, the way the sun's warmth brings freckles to your shoulders.

Pinot is a very rich wine; full of texture, depth, and strength not unlike a life filled with challenges. Yet, is is the small, quiet details - the weeks of sunshine, the cool Pacific fog, the gardener's tender touch - that truly bring the flavor to life.

Life is often hard, in fact, the challenges will come unsolicited to you. Take time to notice the small, little joys in life. They add the beauty.