An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
It’s been mostly gray skies today. The sun tried to make an appearance as I watched from my bedroom window but to no avail. It has been cold also and the reason I sit in my bedroom, much too cold to be on the porch. I’ve not had much energy or ambition, although I did get things done and accomplished. For those on the east coast and the Great Lakes area, stay warm on this cold Saturday!
“The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real. This act is the essential condition for any kind of self-knowledge.”
Carl Jung
The sun shines brightly this morning casting shadows all around me. I watch the tree’s shadows stretching across the street outside the window of the coffee shop. Shadows fall upon these pages as I journal. And, on the wall next to me I see my ever present shadow. Quite handsome I must say. And, as with many photographers, shadows are a subject of interest for me. I share many images of shadows on this blog.
Additionally in my practice of self-examination along with prayer and meditation I’ve come to know those dark aspects of my personality as present and real, what Jung is referring to as our shadow side. Discovering the dark aspects of my shadow side reminds me of the enjoyable task of learning more about myself and eliminating or reducing those that are negative and harmful. I’m grateful for shadows as a subject to photograph but also because they remind me there is yet more to know about myself. Time to post this as the setting sun is casting long shadows across my front yard. The end of another day.
It seems to me that a life well-lived is one in which we find light in unexpected places and look long enough into the shadows that we find mystery, not fear.
David DuChemin
True creativity does not need an excuse. It is its own motivation. It is spontaneous. It need not win public recognition, and its aim is not success.
Brother Paul Quenon
Sorry for posting another leaf image and quote. 😂 It has been another beautiful day in Colorado. It was 52 degrees when I took my camera on a walk this afternoon. Nature knows how to be creative when we look and see.
“What we do see depends mainly on what we look for. … In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.”
John Lubbock
A few years ago I worked for a landscaper. One morning as we pulled up to this home we were going to work on, Ed was immediately able to point out to me where they were going to have drainage problems when it rained. Wow! We saw with such different eyes. As a photographer I’ve learned that when I move my tripod and camera 20 feet in any direction my photographer’s eye will see that scene differently.
And, what I understand as reality is not as it appears to someone else. Probably my greatest growth has been to try and see as others do, accepting that they have a different reality and not try to change how they see. So maybe I need to be more open to what I look for. Maybe I’ll see a snow covered yellow fire hydrant. Hope you had a wonderful Saturday!
I’ve been noticing the shadows on the wall next to my chair at the coffee shop and knew there was an image there somewhere. Well, one was found this morning. But, what I envisioned required a tripod or for someone to take the photo for me. So, I asked Nate, one of my baristas if he would take a photo for me. I have very gifted baristas! They not only make my mocha but take photos. Thanks, Nate!
It was cold this morning, 11 degrees at 6:44 am and right now we are all the way up to 37 degrees. I found out I may have been exposed to COVID this past Sunday so I was able to get a test done this morning. It will take about 24 hours so I’m isolating for the day. Sure hope it is negative because my sister and I are planning on heading to Phoenix next Wednesday for a three day visit with my dad, sister and brother-in-law. This will be our early Thanksgiving.
As I’ve said before, I am a firm believer in nonviolence. We have repeatedly proven violence is not a solution for peace but a seed for more hatred. I served in the military from 1968-1972 at the age of 18. My belief at the time was that if needed I’d kill another human for this country. So, grateful I didn’t have to. I see it so differently now. I hope and pray we can let go of hatred, seek out our similarities, embrace our differences, and see one another as sisters and brothers. May we welcome the gift of peace that is ours. Yet, after saying all that, I respect and am grateful for those who offered the ultimate sacrifice for this country in war and especially for those who died in wars that were unnecessary. Thank you!
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
Rumi
It’s been cold, windy and gusty today. The sun has peaked in and out of a cloudy blue/gray sky. And, when the sun does break through everything lights up, glowing brilliantly. I found it to be a perfect day for reading. I’ve gained enough wisdom to know I’m unable to change the world or the people in it but I’m only able to change how I interact with the world and the people in it, which is far more important. It also follows that when I change, the world is changed in some small way.
Those who are dealing with the power of Nicole please be safe.