A lonely mosaic bird feeder waiting for someone (a lucky someone) to buy it and take it home.
Cool shadows cast by wrought iron that makes one think a glass window is there (it's not). Things are often not what they seem.
And then, what happens when I take the image through some 'alterations'?
WHOOSH!
Shadows are left unharmed in this image, but it is fun to create some variations! If you haven't tried www.picnik.com, you must! That's where I went and played with this image. It's way too much fun! And, no learning curve. And yes, I do have Photoshop (CS3). Picnik is pretty darned fun to play with!
OK, let's get back to the quote I started this post with. I may have used it before, but, no matter. I feel like I haven't philosophized in a long time. The fact that I haven't is not good as I'm letting too many things get in the way.
I wanted to talk about being still. And how hard it is to 'be still'. We fill our lives with so much minutia each and every day (I am completely guilty of that). We never seem to make it a priority to schedule nothing. Isn't that true? Have you ever purposefully scheduled nothing on your calendar?
What got me to thinking about this is in having a conversation with a young lady whose mother is always on the go. Always. Every moment planned. Always insane amounts of errands to run when not working. Always having to vacuum, clean up, do laundry a certain way...this has got to sound very familiar to many of you. Everything is orderly and planned. I commented to this young lady that I was pretty sure that her mother did not know how to be still. She agreed that her mom would go bonkers if she were made to sit still. And just be.
But, it got me to thinking so more. About myself. I know I am a busy bee and I do take time to be still. But, I have to examine my life too and ask myself if I take enough time to be still. I think not. In a way, it's the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. How does one 'solve' this dilemma?
I guess I'll just have to make it conscious effort to not schedule anything on a regular basis. It would be a huge challenge to make sure that nothing got scheduled the last week of each month. So, for the next 3 months, I've blocked off the last week so that I don't forget that I am trying to schedule nothing. I wonder how long that would last???
Hence, the need for the Hermann Hesse quote. Renew it each and every day. It doesn't mean that I will ever get it 100%. But, making the effort is the key. Each and every day.
Every week, a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Hey Harriet. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted! You can view all of my 2009 Shadow Shot Sunday images on my Flickr account. Click here and then select the "Shadow Shot" set.
15 comments:
Things not what they seem?
Then it must be some weird dream
that troubles me so…
Shimmering Shadow
Very nice lines and shadows.
Great shadows as always, Paula! Hope you have a great day! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Interestingly, the bird feeder under that shadow seems to be behind a fence - a bird barrier only in shadowy spirit!
Hesse has a point. We need to prioritize our events, our motions. There is no point in doing so much that the results are less than optimal. Why not do a fewer number of things and attempt to accomplish the important things, do a few things right.
The wheelchair can temper my thinking, as I cannot do everything I want to do. Yet my limitations can be a blessing in that I can do fewer things - do a few activites well...
Like that shadow very common yet hard to find. Happy Sunday!
Shadow Shot Sunday
Cool Shadow Shots and the variation with Piknik is neat. I must go there...I've only just discovered befunky.com and really have fun with that!! Now about being still: I like it. One of the reasons I love our cabin so much is that it is much easier to be still here. In fact I'm sooo still sometimes if not for the dogs keeping me moving I could be mistaken for being dead!!!LOL. Have a great weekend chillin'.
What a great idea not to schedule things for a week! One way of stilling racing thoughts and energy! And adore your defined shadows!
It is such fun to play around with photos!
Very nice shot, and your quote very apt. Yes, we all should learn to be still, and not be so busy.
Have a great weekend.
Unfortunately in my world, if I do nothing, I make no money, but I love the busy creative thought processes I go through thinking of them, that inspires me again to work on them...VISCOUS CYCLE!!!
Have a restful, nothing week!
Love the quote and the thoughts behind it. A whole week 'eh? I don't know if I could really do that....an hour a day perhaps, yes, I'll start with that, then, perhaps, I can join you in that week Paula!
Great images and interesting words. It is difficult to simply 'just be' sometimes. You'll have to report on how your 'just be' week works out. Sounds bliss!
Very strong shadows! Love the lines and of course the bird's feeder.
Have a wonderful sunny day.
x0x0
great shadow. they tend to fool the eye at times don't they...
i had the past week off and i did exactly that a couple of days...nothing. sitting in the rocker on the porch, taking my surroundings in. i loved it!!! good for you to schedule nothing in..good for you for making the effort!!!
love this experiment on your shadowsx lynda
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