Friday, May 24, 2013

What Do You See?

Photography has been my passion for a long time.  With photography, I see such metaphors for life. Life is how we see it!  If I don't like what I see, I can change the angle, the lighting, and what I'm even looking at. Sometimes the view is blurry, so I have to adjust the lens for more clarity.  I do not intend to take blurry pictures.  I do not want to look at life through the blur of the lens of my eye.  As I look through the lens, I have to focus, focus, focus.

Sometimes a scene unfolds in front of us that is horrific or seems so at the time.  On a global level, we have been exposed to planes crashing, bombs blasted, buildings coming down, hurricanes and tornadoes destroying, school shootings, and on and on.  Life is filled with tragedies, losses, and grief. It seems nearly impossible to reframe circumstances such as these, yet I believe it is possible....eventually. Yes, it takes time, time for hearts to ache, and for hearts to heal. That time is necessary for reframing, refocusing, and being able to see any glimmer of hope.

As I sit here at my kitchen table, I'm looking at the bird feeder that welcomes a number of visitors throughout the day, palm trees swaying in the breeze, my cat enjoying another helping of breakfast, and roses in full bloom. My circumstances are what they are, yet I can still choose to look at what is in front of me which right now are some lovely gifts of nature.

Chase Jarvis says, "The best camera is the one that's with you." Grab any kind of camera, and go outside, look around, and snap some pictures of what you see.  Think about how these photos can apply to your life right now. If you don't have a camera, sit in one spot, look around, and capture what you see through your mind's eye. You might have to focus and refocus, but you will see more clearly even if it's a little bit. Give yourself the gift of time to see.

Be blessed and safe this Memorial Day weekend!

What do you see from up there, little bird?

10 comments:

  1. Nancy, I love the idea of finding ways to reframe our lives. And to focus and refocus on what we see and experience.

    Thank you!

    Alice

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    1. Thank you, Alice! I get plenty of practice!

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  2. Nancy,
    I so like your writing! I was wishing I had my camera with me this morning when I was walking my dog. There was a hawk sitting up on the light pole and he stared me down for several minutes. I think he was a lot more daring and brave than I at the moment. I'm glad I was with my dog as well, she could have been his breakfast from the way he was looking!
    xo
    lynn

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    1. Lynn, thank you! We are a mutual admiration pair! So thankful the hawk found breakfast elsewhere. You write in such a way that I can imagine being there watching your stare down with the hawk : ) You express your life with authentic dignity. Your words (even in unpleasant circumstances) have been making me smile! I hope you don't have to wash anymore sheets this weekend, and that you get lots of time to play! xoxo

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  3. Ah, yes, focus --> how quickly we lose sight of so much. Short, sweet, and poignant post. Keep 'em coming!

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  4. Wonderful blogpost, Nancy!
    Your writing is beautiful-
    from the heart --and speaks
    directly to mine.
    I'm going to grab my camera today
    and record some of the beauty around me :)
    ox
    Jenelle

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    1. Without your inspiration and challenge, I would not be sharing my heart right now. Thank you, Jenelle, for being a mentor for me in so many ways. I am learning so much from you, my friend!
      xoxo,
      Nancy

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  5. Nancy,

    I love your bog and the beautiful way you have of expressing yourself with your words. Looking through the lense of my camera is one of my favorite things in life as it really does give one a beautiful way of looking at life - I started painting with my camera years before I picked up a paintbrush and you expressed so beautifully how I feel about the gift of seeing. Thank you for your profound post. Blessings, Erin

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    1. Erin, it means so much that you are relating to my words! Does that make us kindred spirits? Thank you again for your encouragement!
      Love & Gratitude,
      Nancy

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