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

sharing with Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Friday Finds