The prompt this week over at Bonnie's Photo Art Friday is lines . . . obvious lines.
And I started thinking about lines . . . the obvious lines we draw in the sand so to speak,
and the ones we draw with artistic expression, and with love.
The first one has to do with boundaries, which ironically don't necessarily just keep others out.
Sometimes those lines we draw, restrict ourselves, like blinders. You know, like the ones they put on mules, and horses to keep out the rest of the world. But that can make for a very lonely place to be.
Or those lines were put there for exclusivity to purposely leave others out.
There are lines we will cross out of necessity and sometimes we cross them from kindness
to cruelty. Of course there are always those lines that we try to balance like a beam in the night out of indecisiveness due to fear, even vulnerability.
There are even those we cross knowing full well it may be wrong, but would rather go with the majority than
to stand up for what is right. We may even make the bad choice of crossing anyway knowing there may be danger on the other side, lured by self gratification.
And then, this week on a foggy morning walk, I came across literally hundreds of spider webs all filled with dew (and no I didn't need my spray bottle, ha). All of these lines, silk lines, carefully and masterfully spun.
Did you know that a spider has different silk that he puts in his web? One is sticky to catch his prey and the other is not and is carefully woven in so that he can walk in his own web without getting tangled in it himself.
Did you know that a spider has different silk that he puts in his web? One is sticky to catch his prey and the other is not and is carefully woven in so that he can walk in his own web without getting tangled in it himself.
Nature is such a miraculous thing, and I know I say this a lot, but it has so much to teach us. I find it hard
to believe that we weren't wired with the same instincts as a spider knowing what line he can walk or cross.
For a spider, it's all about survival. Walk on or cross the wrong line and . . . .it's over. For humanity, I'm not sure it's any different. The difference is we don't weave a web for just ourselves. We weave a world web and what we do to that web affects us all. When some of the lines of the web are broken or someone else
gets caught, we do have the ability to throw them another one . . . but sometimes we look the other way?
In the long run, that affects the lines we all have to walk. . .
My thoughts have run very deep in the last few months especially as I have seen so much division in our country. And the lines that have bothered me the most are the firing lines. The ones we line others up on, aim at and shoot with hurtful words. Bullets pierce the flesh - words pierce the soul. And one is more easily healed than the other.
My wish for us all, is to see these lines drawn not so that they continue to divide or exclude, but to meet somewhere, anywhere . . . just so they meet.
And that second line, that one comes from artistic expression . . . and that one is freeing.. It frees us from
ourselves to ourselves and ultimately to others. It allows us to express the deepest parts of who we are and
can inspire others to do the same. My hope is that the lines we continue to draw will be ones that lead us to peace and love. Because a web that is built together is a stronger one.That may be a tall order, but hey, one can dream can't she?!!
Much love, Kim
XO
So profound!! Wow, such thoughts and such stunning photography!
ReplyDeleteReading this is such a balm for the troubled soul. I really appreciate the perspective you have given me about this and I will carry these images and these words in my heart. Thank you for sharing with us! Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeleteKim, I can't tell you how much I love this post. So glad you chose to put the words out there and illustrate them with such beautiful images. It felt deep and heartfelt and I felt it in my soul.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous words, Kim...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous images.
You are so gifted with words. And your photos are amazing. I love those spiderwebs! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThese are such lovely & profound words illustrating the "lines" we draw. I hope you are sending some of these "thoughts" to a publisher. Your photography always astounds me and that web is totally astonishing!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful spider webs!
ReplyDeleteDeep and profound thoughts...your writing is so beautiful and you have a gift for inviting the reader in and connecting. And then add to that your beautiful photos - pure pleasure! I love what you had to say.
ReplyDeleteConvicting and inspired words, Kim. May we all take them to heart.
ReplyDeleteI would try to say and something intelligent but your words have flawed me. So please believe my sincerity when I say thank you for these absolutely wonderful and poignant photos. Your third one sealed the deal. Thanks for the words too.
ReplyDeletewow! these are all stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteenjoyed this post jsut for the words but you topped it off beautifully with some very creative textured shots
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, and the photos are all beautiful,- I especially liked the second one!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend:)
Monica
Wonderful post, and the photos are all beautiful,- I especially liked the second one!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend:)
Monica
Fabulous series of photos!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
you have an amazing array here - it's hard to choose among them, but I do really, really, really like the first one!
ReplyDeleteHoly Moly...I should could use some of your wisdom and insights! Thanks for sharing with us :)
ReplyDeleteSuch wise thoughts and beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling a bit philosophical today so to say your post moves me doesn't even cover it. Well written, beautifully illustrated.
ReplyDeletelovely piece Kim and your photos are so beautiful thanks for sharing have a great weekend...
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh Kim not only are your photo's artistic but your writing is amazing. I read this entire post all the way through and just loved every bit of it. Your thoughts were so heartfelt and expressed beautifully. Then the photos that went with them just took my breath away. Stunning work.
ReplyDeleteYou bring so much wise thought and heartfelt emotion to your writing - writing that resonates deeply. What an amazing treatise on lines, both in words and gorgeous images. May our lines meet.
ReplyDeleteI am undone with the depth of your perspectives, written, photographed, and woven of both. I feel like I have been seen, heard, and understood.
ReplyDeleteJust exquisite, Kim.
WOW! What an amazing post. I really do enjoy reading your words. But your photos look amazing. Love your editing. You have a gift my friend.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
I love nature photography, very beautiful Kim!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with Foto Friday,
Lori
Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop. Wishing you a happy weekend. xo
ReplyDeleteKim your words here are very thought provoking and profound! So true too. Also, of course love your photos as they are all very special, and do, so represent, the lessons that are always there for us in nature, if we look.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully creative photography ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a variety of lines! Great shots.
ReplyDeleteAh ... so this is where you find beauty, truth and goodness.
ReplyDeleteJust lovely editing, Kim. Your photo art touches the soul and your words tug at the heart.
Thank you.
Your photos are beautiful...especially those spider webs. But your words speak volumes. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteStunning images - and so beautifully framed by your words!
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful post. The photos a really gorgeous. Especially the first one.
ReplyDeleteso beautiful!!! I adore the spider webs! I hope you will join in the gratitude quilt this year... info about the project and how to participate is at the top of my blog
ReplyDelete:-)