Elaine Eachus is interviewed by CBS Radio’s Benji Cole about her book “Better than Right: Appreciation, Beauty, Community”, which offers light as a guide in the search for meaning
Elaine Eachus discusses the concept behind her book, which urges readers to evaluate whether the author’s description resembles their own. The book tells the story of a person’s eyes searching for the face of beauty, appreciation, and community. A journey that fosters the search for meaning.
Do we share the delight of our harvest with others when the seeds of goodness and righteousness begin to grow and spring out in our lives? Do we make everyone we meet aware of their individuality and tell them how special they are to us? Do we accept our differences? A gorgeous bouquet is made up of the beauty of the rose, the gardenia, and the tulip. May we not waste our time comparing ourselves to others, but rather allow the seed of appreciation to grow in our hearts.
It’s a phrase we frequently utilize. “Under the circumstances, I’m doing fine.” Our challenges might seem oppressive, but they provide us with the chance to care for a wounded world. Choosing a true perspective allows us to see the world from a higher vantage point. As we pursue a true perspective, we uncover a transcendent purpose for our lives. That is, we have control over our circumstances.
Is it possible for beauty to emerge from the ashes of our lives? This book will inspire readers to look beyond their difficulties, persevere in faith, and spread hope and peace among one another. As we go through the refinement process, we’ll learn essential meanings. We’ll see the subtle faces of beauty amid difficulties and differences.
We are each created uniquely and for a relationship with one another—brothers and sisters walking in a community together. Pondering these questions is critical in determining how we are as human beings in our community. How far will we go to serve our neighbors? What does it look like to love our friends? How about our enemies? Loving our community encourages us to raise the bar on what it means to live with a love that reminds us to be “better than right”.
Elaine Eachus’ book, Better than Right: Appreciation, Beauty, Community, is a memoir that recounts the author’s life and the moments that would resonate with the readers.
She was thrown off her life’s course after a disturbing trip to Palestine in 2014, which was followed by the Second Intifada in Israel. She read a lot in order to distract herself from the shock of her experiences. Rumi, Wendell Berry, Richard Rohr, Mary Oliver, Thomas Merton, liberation theologians, and mystics all shone brightly in her honor.
Better than Right: Appreciation, Beauty, Community is the story of one woman’s quest for purpose. Her story is full of twists and turns, signifying her reflections and journey to make sense of life. It is not a superhighway. She treads carefully on a road that makes her feel like a befuddled child caught in the crossfire of a tumultuous divorce. Her literary camera has both wide-angle and close-up lenses, allowing her to capture both the broad strokes and the finer details of her adventure on the third planet from the sun. Better than Right: Appreciation, Beauty, Community urges us to examine if her description of our experience matches our own. Is her light bringing us comfort and hope for the next mile?
Listen to the full interview below: