Thursday, January 15, 2015

There is always something shining, somewhere . . . .


"What is joy if it goes unrecorded,
and what is love if it is not shared."

- Jenny Lee (from 'Call The Midwife')

It's been incredibly gloomy and cold and rainy and did I mention grey?
The sun has not been seen since, well, last year. It's so dark in the house
that I need the lights on to see (or see better), and I'm just not inspired to
take pictures inside my house. My heart and soul {and camera} are drawn
to the outdoors, to nature. THAT, is where I find my shiny things.

So, I thought I would share some photos from November that I haven't had
a chance to share, a walk on the birding trail and my special spot. And that reminded
me of something that I wrote down, which prompted me to find the transcript and
I'm somewhat getting ahead of myself here, so  . . . I'll just start over.


I was driving in the car one day and listening to NPR on the radio.
It was November 26, 2014 to be exact.

I was listening to the program {On Being} and they were talking
with folk singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer and the topic was - A
Conversation with Music.

I was quite drawn to this interview, her voice was so calm and soothing and so gentle.
And she comes from a Quaker background, and although I am not I have a very strong
ancestral Quaker background.

Anyway, during the interview I was just reminded about how no matter the medium,
or the artist, or the art, that we all come to it from such a similar place, the heart.
We are all just standing in a different place, a different time, and with a different perspective.

And that is what is so great about art, and life . . . it's different and unique and when
authentic to our own voice, very individualistic. It's also why we have so much to 
learn from one another.

"Music approaches the sacred through the wordless avenues of the heart." - Carrie Newcomer

Yep, I think that's where most art enters, only through different senses.




 She talked about how as a teenager she fell in love with the singing poets.


{entering my secret place, with shiny things}

I understood this. I've fallen in love with the storytellers that use images.




She talked about the idea of being in a spiritual practice and those of us who create art, who record moments in time, of life and death, of joy and sorrow, and of just being present . . . we understand this all too well.

I understand that deep spiritual connection of being in that moment where time stands still, where it's just you and that moment. Where nothing else in the world exists but awe and wonder, and humility.




And she talked about the idea that there is something shining in the world. That just below the surface of things there is something shining, always. And I shake my head yes, and sigh.




There is magic and light, and life below the surface of everything, and everyone.




We just have to ask ourselves the question - Did I look hard enough?




Am I present, am I willing to show up?




Am I willing to share it? To find what's hidden and reveal it. The joy, the sorrow, the vulnerability.




The light in the shadows. The shadows caused by the light. One is not without the other.




Yes there is always something shining, somewhere. We just have to reach for it beyond the surface. Be willing to dig a little deeper, stay a little longer. Sometimes it requires walking in a circle to see it.

To simply record the joy we see, and share it.

The podcast in its entirety can be found here. So much good stuff, I hope you will check it out.
And although I wouldn't say it's music I'm usually drawn to, there is something so wonderful about
her lyrics, so full of real life stuff.

This one from the podcast was my favorite, find it on you tube here.

Have a wonderful day...I hope you find something shiny!

Love, Kim







21 comments:

Sherry said...

Insightful and beautiful post. Heart-melting images.

Snap said...

I love On Being and this was one of my favorite interviews. Beautiful post and your images are stunning. The sun came out today! Aren't we lucky?!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Kim! beautiful post... food for the soul! I think today we were kinda like in the same mood! Amazing pictures too! Will be back!

chasing the sun said...

Love these pics..Walking on the birding trail or being at sunrise always recharges me :-)
I like the black and white spotted spiky spider :-)

Kathryn Dyche said...

Gorgeous pics Kim, so much insight in this post.

Sandra said...

Lovely images and words and now I'm going to check out your links. Thank you for sharing!

Kim Cunningham said...

I call this poetic living and it is something I'm trying to instill into my life more and more. I get so distracted by the have-tos. In many ways I don't know how to begin, or is it that I lack courage? I dunno, but I do wrestle with it. These images are just wonderfully inspiring...uplifting!

Tamar SB said...

Whoa. These are amazingly stunning!!

We need some sunshine here, major vitamin D needed!

Nicki said...

So thought provoking and much of your introspect resonates across the miles, speaking even to me in this moment in the course of my life. Beautifully spoken and illustrated.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Words to ponder. You offer a beautiful post on which to reflect who we are and what we have to offer others. Thank you!!!

molly said...

I think spider webs are one of natures truly amazing acts

Mollyxxx

Suburban Girl said...

I live in Pennsylvania - we have been very influenced by Quakers. Your post and images are beautiful.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Oh I love NPR and I love her words and your words, and your images as well. And, I agree...we see with the heart and we express the dancing of the light with the heart. And, it has been very gray here as well...and cold. Today is sunny though and I am looking forward to getting out of doors for a bit

Michelle B said...

Yes!! We create from our heart, no matter what our medium is, paint, film, clay, or music. Thank you for reminding me there is always something shiny to find, if I can't find it, I am not looking hard enough. :) Beautiful images too...

sarah said...

Such beautiful photographs!

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Beautiful words Kima nd the photos are sublime

Anita Johnson said...

These photos are a splash of color for winter weary eyes...I'll check out the podcast too...

Cheryl M said...

Such amazing images you've shared and your writing......oh my! I'm off to check out your links!

ju-north said...

Beautiful sensitive thoughts

Inspired By June said...

The shiny thing I like to find, and share is JOY. You are blessed with so much of JOY, Kim and we are blessed when you share it, as you often do, with us. Beautiful images and words. Thank you.

Brenda said...

Simply beautiful. Your joy in life shines through.

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