We Miss What’s Beautiful Because It’s Ours

Published: 04/18/2025
Updated: 2025-11-18

Jimmy Lemon

Jul 02, 2025

Every time I see the New River Gorge Bridge, I’m in awe. Pictures just don’t do it justice. Last week, our Leadership West Virginia class stood there taking it all in. Learning about the park. Admiring the view. Dreading walking back up the steps.

A young couple walked by and posed for a few photos with the bridge behind them. Then the girl flipped through their pictures and asked, “What’s so special about this bridge anyway?” The guy just shrugged.

I didn’t say anything, but I could have! “You know it was the longest single-span arch bridge in the world when it opened, right?” “It’s still the fifth longest in the world. Still the longest outside China.” “It’s an engineering marvel nestled right here in West Virginia!”

But she didn’t need a history lesson. She can ask ChatGPT herself. She needed to open her eyes. I wanted to yell, TURN AROUND AND LOOK!!

We do this all the time. We become blind to what’s right in front of us. We overlook wonder because it’s familiar. We miss what’s beautiful because it’s ours.

But the bridge? Still there. The view? Still breathtaking. So are the local shops. The family-run businesses. The people showing up every day to build something beautiful in this place we call home.

We say we love this place. Sometimes we have a funny way of showing it. But we can change the narrative. By supporting ourselves and each other. By choosing local when we can. And recognizing the value that’s already here. We can change the story we tell (and believe) about ourselves.

If I’ve taken anything from these first few sessions of Leadership West Virginia, it’s this: West Virginia is stunning. But its people? Even more beautiful.

There are incredible things happening, led by neighbors, friends, and folks who care deeply. We don’t need someone to come in and save us. We just need to start believing in what we already have.

I’ve had the privilege to meet so many incredibly kind, brilliant, and passionate people over the last couple of years. Thank you all for inspiring me to be a better version of myself. Thank you for helping make our home the best it can be.

Let’s stop tearing ourselves down. Let’s start seeing the good. Supporting the good. Celebrating the good.

Because it’s here. And it’s ours.

We just have to turn around and look.

3 Likes