Being open . . .

"It is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view."

- George Eliot, Middlemarch

Opening....open....opened.

This is our prompt for Photo Art Friday, any form of the word open. And to be honest, I thought of a lot of ways I could interpret the prompt this month.

I thought of things that could be open like doors, windows, or gates. I thought about how rooms open up to other rooms, open outdoor spaces like a patio, or even a wide open space like the beach. I entertained the idea of something that was cracked open, or left wide open . . . even something that might be a real eye-opener.

But there were so many choices that I couldn't decide, so I just started going through some old folders keeping my eyes open to new ideas. 

And this is what I found. This photo of three separate roses all in different stages of "open," that I had taken last April. And there it was sitting on my hard drive, unedited, waiting. I suppose something else had caught my eye and I never looked back.

So this is my interpretation of being open. Open to life, opportunities and most importantly to being open minded. Because really, open means not closed. It means being accessible and relatively free of obstruction.

And you know, isn't the act of having an open mind what keeps our work fresh? Isn't that what gives us new eyes every time we explore with our camera? 

So why would we be any different with people, with each other. We pick up books and going on only a small paragraph on what the book is about we read them anyway. Sometimes it's even necessary to read between the lines, what's not written, to fully understand the story. And it isn't until we reach the end of the book that we make the conclusion of whether or not we liked it or if it even resonated. And whether we liked the book or not is really beside the point isn't it. Because I believe we are better off, always, for having read the book, for stretching our mind.

Many, many times I have run into a brick wall a closed mind. I have a feeling you probably have too and it's not a fun place to be. But whether or not the story is liked, yours, mine or theirs, isn't nearly as important as the message we all get when we retain an open mind.

That message simply says, I see you.

Love, Kim

sharing with Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Photo Art Friday

                   Friday Finds, Friday Photo Journal

Love is in the air . . .

Love is . . . 

universal

knows no bounds

and has the infinite power to change lives

not just today but all year

it does not divide . . . but multiplies

it lives within all of us

and isn't something you can keep just for yourself

it's strong, yet so fragile

and should be nothing but unconditional

an expression of yourself

and being open to the expression of others

self-sacrificing

and seeking the welfare of another

"Love, as an open book"

it's about passion and desire

two hearts joined as one

we show it with compassion and affection

and should never be anything but . . . colorblind

supporting yet not overbearing

a basic human need

and a deep spiritual connection in the depth of your soul

understanding and forgiving

although sometimes it's complicated

it has a unique ability to stretch the heart

patient and kind

definitely not boastful

and should never rejoice in right and wrong

acceptance is a huge requirement

and it should include random acts of kindness

sometimes it just feels like an unexplainable mystery

a feeling that is hard to define

"He believe is me"

while it causes some hearts to be courageous

there will be those that will be broken

it's sharing, believing and dreaming

and it endures all, hopes all, and bears all things

it is spoken in different languages all over the world

and in unselfishly expressed actions

it hurts when someone doesn't feel it back

something that can make you laugh and cry at the same time

it matters not how old you are

for there is no age limit

 you feel this when you genuinely care for someone

a parent, a child, a friend

but it shouldn't be kept from strangers either

"Love in a tree"

it can be passionate and romantic

maybe even a little scary

definitely fun and spontaneous

and it will have its highs and lows

we don't just feel this for people

but for nature and life

there are songs written about it

we express it in our art

and millions of words have been spoken about it

the bible commands us to do this to our neighbors as we would do unto ourselves

because it is something no one should ever be without

And what we were all created for.

"Love is in the air" -{Photo Art Friday}

 Love can be found here

rooted on a hill in a field

both wings and branches outstretched

one providing shelter

the other seeking rest

where a home will be built

and where life will be found in a nest

yes love can be found here

what will be will be

each created for the other

companions found in a bird and a tree.

- Kim

I wish you all a beautiful day!

I {Heart} you,

Kim xo

P.S. - I'm running out to enjoy some time with my Valentine and will visit you all later!

sharing with Little Things Thursday,  Thursday Favorite Things, Cool-Clicks Thursday,

Photo Art Friday, Friendship Friday, Friday Photo Journal, Finding Serendipity {1440}

Foto Friday . . . Bestill, my red rose

Bestill the red rose,

as the beauty of it unfolds before us,

petal by petal, layer upon layer.
The illumination of it comes from within
revealing a unique personality of its own.

And there is great reward to those,

who upon their patience,

will miss nothing in its entirety.

- Kim


I think people have a lot in common with roses, a lot of layers that when fully open reveal their whole.
But sometimes the thorns keep us from investigating further when really they beg the question will you give in to a little pain to find the true beauty? I have so many more thoughts about this but need to stop here, as I'm almost finished writing about something that I want to share with you . . . soon.

{People, acceptance, and random acts of kindness}

Up until a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have been able to tell you the last time I bought cut flowers.
But oh boy, give me some six dollar flowers and my spray bottle and it's like giving cat nip to a cat.
I can literally keep myself occupied for hours . . . {smile}

These were all taken with my 40 mm macro lens and I had a little fun experimenting with larger apertures on some of these. And since my subject couldn't be focused completely on the same plane (especially with all the petals), I had to choose which part I wanted in focus which makes a big difference artistically. 

 

1/60s, f6.3

{Shoot, edit, submit}
1/80s, f6.3

1/125, f5.0

1/60s, f6.3

1/80s, f3.5

I didn't get a chance to play with the textures I won from Bonnie at Pixel Dust Photo Art  so a

quick edit in Picnik.....Thanks again Bonnie!

{Photo Art Friday, Foto Friday}
1/60s, f4.5

This is from the same bunch, but by yesterday they weren't looking as fresh,

and I love how the color changed around the edges. Well, that and they looked like they were

sprinkled with fairy dust.

1/125s, f9.0

Here's to a great weekend, and seeing beyond those first petals.

Love, Kim

XO



 

Love . . . .

It's universal

and knows no bounds

it has infinite power to change lives

does not divide . . . but multiplies

it lives within all of us

and is not something you can keep just for yourself

strong, yet so fragile

and should be nothing but unconditional

it's an expression of yourself

and being open to the expression of others

it represents compassion and affection

and when used appropriately it is . . . colorblind

supporting, yet not overbearing

 a basic human need

and a deep spiritual connection in the depth of your soul

understanding and forgiving

although sometimes it's complicated

it has a unique ability to stretch the heart

 patient and kind

definitely not boastful

one huge requirement is acceptance

and it should include random acts of kindness

sometimes, it just feels like and unexplainable mystery

a feeling that is hard to define

it's sharing, believing and dreaming

and it endures all, hopes all, and bears all things

it is spoken in different languages all over the world

and in unselfishly expressed actions

it hurts when that special someone doesn't feel it back

something that can make you laugh and cry at the same time

there is no age limit

you feel this when you genuinely care for someone

a parent, a child, a friend

but, let's also not keep it from strangers

sometimes it's scary

our words put into action

it can be passionate and romantic

and it will have its highs and lows

sometimes sadness and tears will come with it

songs are written about it

it is expressed in our art

and millions of words have been spoken about it

the bible says to do this to our neighbors as we would do unto ourselves

it may not make the world go around, but it's a really good place to start

and is something no one should ever be without

it seems to be one of the most motivating emotions know to man...

It's called LOVE and I hope it spreads like wildfire!

I {heart} you,

Kim

xo

 

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