Jamie Dedes posted a quote from Henri Nouwen about writing from our sacred space. I have long understood the importance of writing – especially as an exercise for thinking. I became excited about Nouwen’s idea of writing as a way to discover what is at our core, who we are, what matters to us as we make our way down the road of life. For me writing is about telling my story, especially about my connection to humans and nature.
Julie and I went on one of our photography excursions a couple of days ago and I was thinking about why I get so much pleasure out of photography. We went to the Hidden Lake Garden in southern Michigan, owned and maintained by our land-grant college, Michigan State University. This is a large garden, wonderfully accessible by both foot and car, through woods and landscaped fields. It is mature and continually maintained, both natural and nurtured. It is a photographer’s paradise – well at least mine. 
We stopped at the hosta garden, on a steeply sloping hill down to the hidden lake. Among the wide variety of hostas, that are close to fully unfurling their leaves, are a wide variety of wild flowers, blooming their little hearts out in the dappled shade. As I was squatting and bending and planting my fanny on the gravel path to find what I hoped was the perfect angle, I was thinking about what motivated me to put my body through these painful and awkward maneuvers. I think it is the love of beauty. I think it is the challenge of finding a way to capture those images that portray what I find intriguing within the big picture that my eyes and brain are continually scanning.
I don’t remember whether I read Jamie’s post before or after I went on that photo shoot – it doesn’t matter. Sometimes there is a confluence of events that seem to be spiritual in that they come together to make me a more complete person, one who understands her purpose in the greater scheme of things. Could it be that God is speaking to me, giving me answers to problems in living that I haven’t clearly formulated in my brain?
Could it be that God wants me to be a happier, more passionate person, doing simple things that bring me pleasure and brings joy to others? Sometimes I discount this confluence that leads to my gaining greater understanding of who I am and what matters to me. After all, it didn’t lead to my engaging in a “big-event-that-changes-world-events” (or changes the direction of our U.S. political scene). I would love to be that kind of person, but I’m not. I have had grand ideas (illusions?) all my life of doing great things for the great good of society. If I view my life from the perspective of a little distance and maybe from the height of that hill over there, I think I have made a difference in a great many people’s lives even though I have never been in the public spotlight. 
But when I sit atop that hill and reflect on life and the wild-flowers blooming around me, I recognize that I am so very happy with my simple life of capturing beauty through my photography and writing about the internal landscape of my thinking. And you were right, Henri Nouwen, as I wrote this post, my writing took me to a final destination I knew nothing about when I started. I have come in contact with some of my hidden riches and hope that sharing them with all of you, who have so graciously read this post, will start you on a similar journey, so you can increased your riches.
A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully 
Such rich, touching photos and text! I find myself hoping you will find and share many places with us, and your journeys will be richly rewarding.
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Thanks, Michael.
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Photographing nature often opens up more than our eyes. A thoughtful post.
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I like how you expressed that, Christine. So true.
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I’m sure that as bloggers, we do touch many people through our photos and thought sharing. In our own small way, we are in the public spotlight. 🙂 Beautiful captures of the riches of nature, Pat.
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Thanks, Sylvia. I really appreciate how my blogging community enriches my life.
Hugs for the sadness and joy of thinking about your mum.
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Me too. xx
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There is such an abundance of emerging life about us in our long awaited spring. I also can relate to some not to graceful poses in my eager attempt to get that just right shot. Once down and shooting I quickly forget that I have to get back up. But whether the resulting shot is worthy of the effort doesn’t register at the time, the challenge is there. I guess that is a little bit like words and writing. You see your starting point, the words and thoughts kind of come together (maybe), you commit to giving it your best shot, sometimes not knowing really where you might end up, and if you can get up feeling you have risen to the challenge, then I suppose you have accomplished what you set out to do. Thanks for your pics and words.
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Exactly! And here’s to us – that we may always get back up.
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A lovely, lovely post. Thought-provoking, exciting and full of hope. Thanks.
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I don’t believe we know the full extent of our gifts to others…often the lives we’ve touched are not in our view…but they occurred and have had a major impact on someone…so my friend…you may have shared more than you know. 🙂
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Thanks, Charles, especially for calling me friend. I do believe your words come from both wisdom and age. 🙂
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Sometimes it feels like this gift, and I have come to accept that a photographer’s eye is a gift, allows me a certain insight others might not have. I hope that doesn’t come off as arrogant but it is the best way to describe it. Other people have their own unique gifts, but this my friend, is ours, and it is right to be thankful.
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It doesn’t sound arrogant at all, Dawn. I’m glad your recognize that you do have a gift for seeing images that bring joy to others. So many of your posts have brought a smile to my lips and heart.
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We share this gift Pat. And I know I have told you before how I often am inspired by your words of wisdom.
From across the miles,
Grateful
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Thank you for the thought-provoking & beautiful post.
I have always loved reading Henri Neuwen & as I read your link to James Dedes’ post, I was reminded of how much.
You pursue your art for the love of beauty – and you do communicate that beauty very clearly to us, your reader. And often times, we do need to be reminded that we are surrounded by reflections of God and you have given us a glimpse of Him today.
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Thanks, I really appreciate your thoughts.
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