There is a pond in the Asian Gardens at the Naples Botanical Gardens. This week there was something floating on the surface that allowed me to capture the very subtle and usually unnoticed movement of the water that came under the footbridge from the small water fall to the left. It was so subtle that I didn’t notice the movement, just the pattern created in the current and when the surface moved around the water plants.
As I look at this image, it makes me wonder about the gentle currents in my life, like the tapestry of my life or the neural connections in my brain. There are major events that make a splash, sometimes desired but sometimes not. They require a conscious effort to adjust to and the changes they create are evident. What about all the day-to-day events that are almost unnoticed but still create the pattern of my life. What about my weekly visits to the botanical gardens where I am slowly learning about my southern environment and improving my photography? Did the short visit by Alana, one of our neighbors, affect my life? I felt moved by seeing her for the first time this year. She had put her mother in a care facility because of Alzheimer. I felt Alana’s pain because her mother, a snowbird who lived next door to me in the winter, played Frank Sinatra loud enough so I could also enjoy him. I was very important to mother and now I feel her absence.
How much do we let all that data of life, all those subtle experiences, impact our life? I watch more television in Florida, and we watch more movies. Last night we watched the movie “Iris” again. Judy Dench plays Dame Iris who is a famous fiction writer, someone who loves words and education, who develops Alzeimer. I sobbed with this viewing. I sobbed for Iris as she looses that which is most dear to her. I sobbed harder for her husband who is watching his wife slip away and feels so helpless and angry. I sobbed because I don’t want that to happen to J and I.
I had a work colleague who is a sociologist and loves movies. A criteria he uses to judge films is whether they make a difference in his life. I hope J & I hold onto all that is good in our lives together, because we know that some day, somehow we will loose it. Iris reminded me of that. I’m a Judy Dench fan so we went to see Philomena last week. Good movie and good acting, but did it make a difference in my life? It was entertaining and raised some interesting questions about society and pregnancy and adoption. I think the impact on me was more subtle, maybe undetectable but present.
I have been wondering about those negative influences, life’s un-pleasantries, that we allow in. They must make a difference, impact us in the subtle ways that the movie Philomena impacted me. I know that I am able to “just say no” to some influences, but what about those mild irritants that I don’t acknowledge. Do I need to give more thought to where I want the currents of my life to take me and what I want the pattern of my life to look like? Do the minor irritants sometimes need to be endured for the greater good? I’m not ready to give examples of this but I will be pondering it. Maybe in another post.
A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully 
Absolutely stunning patterns and contrast in that photo Pat. It immediately pulled me in. Well done!
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Thanks – that was a serendipitous find that I think was caused by dust from nearby (frustrating) construction.
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Oh goodness Pat, serendipity is such a beautiful thing. As I think about it a bit I’d have to say that at least half (and maybe 75%) of the photos I make are captured by simply being open to each moment and whatever it brings with it, just like that beautiful dust in your photo.
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I wish us many more years of opening our hearts, minds, eyes and camera lenses to the beauty that is around us. I’m off to my weekly trip to the botanical gardens for some surprises I didn’t notice last week. 🙂 (I do believe you are a serendipity chaser. You spend lots of time being where you can experience serendipity and grab it.)
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🙂
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Nature’s abstract art. Beautiful image.
And interesting thoughts.
Another great post!
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Thanks, Karen.
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Great image, Pat! I enjoyed your post, gentle philosophising… Having had some larger life events occur in the last few years, I find myself giving more thoughts to the currents of life, so this certainly chimed with me.
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Thanks, Sue. It makes me happy when I can touch people’s lives. I think this has always been important to me and I am really enjoying blogging because it gives me a way, now that my life has changed course. Best wishes, Sue, on your new life course.
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Your post spoke to me..Change a coming and hope to make it a pleasant one!
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I too hope you find the good. The fact that you are looking for it will increase your chances of finding it. 🙂
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It takes great strength as well. Thank you Pat.
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The photo really caught by eye, but I must say that I enjoy your philosophizing even more. I’m sure we don’t agree about absolutely everything, but your words just ring so true to my soul. I find that I cry so much more at poignant moments in snows when I would’ve barely registered an emotional twinge before. I’d like to think I’m just more empathetic and open-minded…I’m sure it’s not my changing hormonal profile 😉
Obviously no one can guarantee her future, but your introspection surely leads you to greater chances of happiness down the line. May you and J continue to find peace and love.
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Thank you so much Heather. I find it so wonderful to be moved by things that are beautiful and to be moved by the pain of others, which is actually our pain. All of us share basic experiences that connect us. I’m happy to be connected to you, and Jim and I make sure we remain connected. Thanks for your warm wish for us – we accept with open hearts. 🙂
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That image is mesmerizing!
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I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when I found it. Just had to take a few photos of it. 🙂
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This is a superb image Pat — and a great post too.
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Thanks, Sherry.
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Amazing photo, Pat. ( I also appreciate your reflections very much, but the photo caught me first!)
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Thanks, Karen. The pond caught my attention in the same way. I have several (many) photos.
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