Could Be A Painting

Could be a painting, but it’s not. A photograph, perhaps. Yes, a photograph, but why the blur? Was the camera movement intentional or was it a miscue?

What is it you see? Only a grainy image of dark and light and shadows? A sunrise or sunset? Water and land and trees?

How do you feel when observing this image? Nothing? A mystery to be solved? A sense of calm? A memory?

I know what I see since I took the photograph. I know exactly where this is and when it was taken. I recall the moment and swiping my cellphone as I depressed the shutter button. When I view this photograph I am transported back in time to a moment when I felt at peace as I watched the sun rise over a lake on a cool, calm morning. I like recalling such moments.

Clarity is often gained by reflection…

Double Vision

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When this double vision ends and I see clearly again, will I be any better off and make sense of life? 

When I feel that my existence seems like that of a spectator, will I ever become a participant?

When the cold of winter and loneliness of the holidays overwhelm me, will I cry myself to sleep?

When faith flickers like a dying candle, what will become of me? Will I have mattered to anyone?

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I will be better off, and so will others, once I regain clarity, and I will understand my life’s purpose.

I am already a participant, I just need a little encouragement to help me understand this truth.

I will cry no longer-even though I needed to for a moment-because joy is just around the corner.

I will light another candle-thus keeping my faith-for my life matters very much. It matters to those who love me and to those who are yet to know me; to the lost who need me and to those who have helped me; to the sojourner who has double vision and to the blind who can’t see at all. No more tears, no more despair, and no more loneliness for there is One who loves me just as I am. Prince of Peace come join me now and help me to show others the way. 

 

 

 

I Can See Clearly Now

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Clarity can be described in a multitude of ways, but for this post I want to focus on the idea of how we view and live our lives. In light of the unusual political presidential drama, the continuing attacks by terrorist groups and the racial tensions which seem to envelop our nation, I wish to take a step back and look at these situations from an objective perspective-at least that is my hope.

Above and below are two photographs of the same field with hay rolls and green vegetation. Obviously, the focus is either near or far, clear or blurry. Similar to how we see  life much of the time. Certainly, one can pretend to be totally objective in viewing and interpreting our realm of existence and the part we play, but we are only kidding ourselves if we believe we always view life and situations with the utmost clarity.

My hope is this, as Jimmy Cliff sang in 1993: ” I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. I can see bright (bright) Bright sun shinning day. It’s gonna be a bright (bright) Bright sunshiny day.”

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Point of View

7-30-14 010I’m curious as to what captures your attention when you first view this photograph. I know what I see, and it isn’t all that clear. However, I still like the variety of colors and shapes found in these flowers, regardless of their clarity (something in extreme focus). My point of view from a photographer’s perspective is affected by light, angles, distance, movement, camera settings, and much more. As applied to me personally, my point of view is affected by my state of mind, stress level, amount of sleep, pain level, happiness level, relationships, events, trials, schedules, etc.  Below are two more examples of the same perspective dynamic, with each image taken from the same location and within a few seconds of each another. The difference is in the focus aspect of my camera (depth of field). This was purposely done to emphasize what I wanted to be in focus: Carson or the flowers. I could have chosen to make everything in these images clear, but that would not help me in making a rather simple point. And, my point is…………………………………. 7-3-14 018How we view life and respond to it can be boiled down to what we focus on. The clearer our perspective (point of view) usually results in an objective response while the opposite generally holds true. Namely, out-of-focus perspectives result in very subjective and often overstated or inaccurate responses, and often create problems.7-3-14 017I was reminded of this dynamic when I listened to a wonderful song by Johnny Nash from 1972. The lyrics go like this: I can see clearly now, the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds which had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sunshiny day. I encourage you to listen to this song as it will put a smile on your face. May all your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your perspective clear.

After the Rain

6-7-14 033After the rain when the earth is cleansed and flowers bloom. After the rain when rivers rush and ponds overflow. After the rain when birds sing and sunlight breaks forth. After the rain when tears dry up and hope sprouts. After the rain when God smiles and rainbows appear. After the rain when babies jump in puddles and parents laugh. After the rain when clarity returns and dark clouds disappear. After the rain, yes, after the rain, when the world seems strangely right.