Sunday, January 04, 2009

Navigating the Voyage of Discovery

(The ELEVENTH day of Christmas)

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." (Marcel Proust)

If you've seen the same things repeatedly each day, there can be no discovery in these things. True or false? How does one maintain a fresh viewpoint when surrounded by the same things day in and day out? In order for us to preserve our 'sanity' our brains deliberately ignore things once it's seen the same thing a few times.

Wouldn't it be nice if you had a tray full of different colored glasses at your disposal that you could change out whenever you wanted to see things differently? How easy that would be! Or, maybe just carry a viewfinder in your pocket! Why not? Viewfinders have an almost magical way of presenting a different perspective immediately. Let's all keep an imaginary viewfinder in our pockets! That way we can traipse about our day pulling it out whenever we want to see what else there is to see.

Marcel is so on target with his observation of what it takes to discover. I think having the mind of child is helpful too since children look at everything with new eyes. And, a never ending state of curiousity.

So, I give you a challenge to spend moments through your day looking at things with those new eyes. Whether it's the article of clothing you are wearing or the furniture in your room or what you are about to eat. Trust me, even if you've seen it a thousand times, there really are new things to discover. I dont' know how many times leaving my front door in the afternoon I failed to notice these lovely shadows. Until I went looking for them. You have to look.

Take a moment to stop and be curious!

You can see more of Shadow Shot Sunday particiapnts here.

6 comments:

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

This is such a beautiful shadow - the hard lines of the steps with this graceful shadow - very pretty!!

Rosebud Collection said...

What a great shadow..I like the way it goes on the steps..Good job..Happy SSS...

A Wild Thing said...

What I love is stopping dead in my tracks, then running to get my camera for that unseen before shot...they're everywhere. Now, when I leave in my truck to go anywhere, my camera is out of case, in between legs and ready to shoot...you can never be too alert!

What a great new adventure Tracie has blessed us with...discoveries of beauty every day...

Have a shadow-filled week...

sharon

Hey Harriet said...

A beautiful shadow shot. I love what you've written and agree with you 100% It's only over the last year or so that I've really opened my eyes to what is around me and have found beauty in the simple things that I didn't take the time to notice before. I feel my life is now all the more richer for taking the time to stop, look and reflect. Usually followed by taking a photo of what I'm relecting upon ;D

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Sharon that is so true...so often it's a stop dead in my tracks kind of moment. And the regret for those times when I did not have my camera ready! Especially when it will never be again. Tracie has certainly provided me with an outlet in which to put these shadows which in turn, gives the the wonderful excuse to go chase MORE! And, to be witness to what others see. I am in awe and wonder.
Tracie, it is often the opposite that happens to me where the image provides me with something to reflect on. The process is repeatedly surrendipidous, which in itself is amazing...
But, whichever order it happens in, it does expand my universe and widen my eyes to see more.

Dianne said...

my renewed interest in photography has been such a blessing and I have blogging to thank for that - it's no fun if you can't share your visions

I see everything in so many new ways! :)

your photo is serene and dramatic and just plain lovely

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin