When we see something unexpected, it stops us in our tracks. Taking a moment to think about it can draw us right into the present moment-- giving us the perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness.
This happened to me on Friday afternoon while taking pictures at a rather cloudy and gray Spy Pond. Pointing my camera upwards at some tree limbs, I suddenly spotted a heart shape.
Normally hidden from view, the heart seemed to jump right out at me since I was paying attention to this particular tree. Drawing me straight into the moment, I began pondering how the tree limbs formed this shape and if there were other shapes hidden in nature which often get passed by, unnoticed.
I thought about a tree that I had photographed several weeks ago that possessed an intriguing shape. I loved how its silhouette contrasted the blues in the sky.
To me, it is fascinating how different pairs of eyes can detect different interpretations of the same picture. My friend Grace commented that it, "Looks like someone's head on the left-- her arms are stretched as well."
What is truly great about Mother Nature is that she provides us with incredible sights throughout the seasons that allow us to behold them in awe and just dwell with them, in the moment. Last summer, I stumbled across the most gigantic sunflowers I had ever laid eyes upon in Providence, Rhode Island.
The fall has given me the opportunity to marvel at the various ways that sunlight can illuminate a scene. Driving into my school parking lot one morning, my eyes fell upon the most incredible scene. As my friend Ali commented, "It was raining sun!"
It left me wondering why the sun had illuminated the trees like that this morning. I had never beheld such a sight before and I have not yet again since that day. About a month later, I pulled into the same parking lot, greeted by the following scene.
Witnessing scenes like this by the baseball field at my school has led me to dub it, "The Magical Field". It has left me thirsty for more wondrous sights like these. I continually jump at the opportunity to grab my camera and capture these types of images on film when I witness them.
The fall provided sunsets with bright colors, illuminating the dark naked branches of the trees...
...playful cloud shapes to ponder
...and brilliantly colored fall leaves that ignited the landscape, setting it on fire. These scenes let me wondering if these colors truly existed in nature, taking my breath away when I came across them.
The magnificent reds
The winter left me wondering how an element as dangerous as ice (causing me to slip, fall, and be quite beaten and bruised the previous year) could also be so beautiful. I marveled at the perfect shape of this icicle.
And I stood in wonder at the size of the icicles below-- nervous about what might happen when they fell!
In the winter, it is thrilling to me when bright colors enter my photography, as much of the winter landscape is usually covered in white. Taking pictures by bodies of water, I am always inspired to look for reflections. However, instead of realistic images of nature, at times, beautiful abstract pieces of art lay before me. These leave me wondering about the conditions of the environment that cause these vibrant colors and intriguing patterns. The two pictures below are both from one of my favorite locations, Spy Pond.
With the arrival of spring, I think about some of the moments that inspired me to take pictures last year. The unexpected closeness of an animal....
...the incredible way that the sun illuminated these flowers and the wire fence surrounding them. Who knew that wire could look so beautiful?
...and the patterns hidden in tree trunks.
Both Grace and I thought this looked like elephant skin. However, I thought it looked like an eye while Grace thought it looked like an upside down question mark. In being mindful about images, there is never just one correct interpretation!
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A few months ago I was struck by the idea that objects that we usually walk right past and don't consider to be beautiful can provide for some of the most eye-opening moments of unexpected mindfulness. Who knew that such interesting shapes could be found in an object that is usually so boring and monotone-- concrete!
As spring descends upon us, I encourage all of you to go outside and be open to unexpected moments of mindfulness. Breathe them in, enjoy them, and take a moment to ponder them. They are truly incredible, breathtaking, and awe-inspiring.
This happened to me on Friday afternoon while taking pictures at a rather cloudy and gray Spy Pond. Pointing my camera upwards at some tree limbs, I suddenly spotted a heart shape.
Normally hidden from view, the heart seemed to jump right out at me since I was paying attention to this particular tree. Drawing me straight into the moment, I began pondering how the tree limbs formed this shape and if there were other shapes hidden in nature which often get passed by, unnoticed.
I thought about a tree that I had photographed several weeks ago that possessed an intriguing shape. I loved how its silhouette contrasted the blues in the sky.
To me, it is fascinating how different pairs of eyes can detect different interpretations of the same picture. My friend Grace commented that it, "Looks like someone's head on the left-- her arms are stretched as well."
What is truly great about Mother Nature is that she provides us with incredible sights throughout the seasons that allow us to behold them in awe and just dwell with them, in the moment. Last summer, I stumbled across the most gigantic sunflowers I had ever laid eyes upon in Providence, Rhode Island.
The fall has given me the opportunity to marvel at the various ways that sunlight can illuminate a scene. Driving into my school parking lot one morning, my eyes fell upon the most incredible scene. As my friend Ali commented, "It was raining sun!"
It left me wondering why the sun had illuminated the trees like that this morning. I had never beheld such a sight before and I have not yet again since that day. About a month later, I pulled into the same parking lot, greeted by the following scene.
Witnessing scenes like this by the baseball field at my school has led me to dub it, "The Magical Field". It has left me thirsty for more wondrous sights like these. I continually jump at the opportunity to grab my camera and capture these types of images on film when I witness them.
The fall provided sunsets with bright colors, illuminating the dark naked branches of the trees...
 | ||||||||
...playful cloud shapes to ponder
 |
| My friend Brenda commented that this looks like a T Rex. |
The magnificent reds
 |
| The staggering oranges |
 |
| An incredible array of colors |
The winter left me wondering how an element as dangerous as ice (causing me to slip, fall, and be quite beaten and bruised the previous year) could also be so beautiful. I marveled at the perfect shape of this icicle.
And I stood in wonder at the size of the icicles below-- nervous about what might happen when they fell!
 |
| By my front porch |
 | ||||||
| Outside of my School |
In the winter, it is thrilling to me when bright colors enter my photography, as much of the winter landscape is usually covered in white. Taking pictures by bodies of water, I am always inspired to look for reflections. However, instead of realistic images of nature, at times, beautiful abstract pieces of art lay before me. These leave me wondering about the conditions of the environment that cause these vibrant colors and intriguing patterns. The two pictures below are both from one of my favorite locations, Spy Pond.
With the arrival of spring, I think about some of the moments that inspired me to take pictures last year. The unexpected closeness of an animal....
 |
| A Swan |
 | |||||||||||||||
| A Frog |
 |
| A Duck |
...the incredible way that the sun illuminated these flowers and the wire fence surrounding them. Who knew that wire could look so beautiful?
...and the patterns hidden in tree trunks.
Both Grace and I thought this looked like elephant skin. However, I thought it looked like an eye while Grace thought it looked like an upside down question mark. In being mindful about images, there is never just one correct interpretation!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few months ago I was struck by the idea that objects that we usually walk right past and don't consider to be beautiful can provide for some of the most eye-opening moments of unexpected mindfulness. Who knew that such interesting shapes could be found in an object that is usually so boring and monotone-- concrete!
As spring descends upon us, I encourage all of you to go outside and be open to unexpected moments of mindfulness. Breathe them in, enjoy them, and take a moment to ponder them. They are truly incredible, breathtaking, and awe-inspiring.
Wonderful entry with beautiful photos!
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