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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Visual Serenity Part three!

SERENITY - the state or quality of being serene, calm, or tranquil; composure, peacefulness, peace. [Serenity week begins here. Click for this week's Bliss Initiatives.]


I've been collecting serene images since I started my project. There is something about a snapshot in time that calms me. Going out in Nature is fabulous however I find that I am generally distracted by everything that is going on when I am out there... this bird flying there, watching the trail, water flowing, keeping the girl from perilous harm etc. Even when I have a chance to pause and breathe in what is around me I am still "on guard" to a certain degree. Photos offer me a solace and calm that is just not available generally to me. Perhaps I am "wound too tight" and/or I need to learn how to relax more generally in life but nevertheless when I am in need of a personal time out photos are what do it for me.


I love how everything that has happened and will happen is suspended in a photo. Even images that depict things that are not at all serene have some qualities of calm when frozen in time. If I allow myself to imagine that I am in the precious moment depicted I feel an immediate ease of tension. Photos invite me to be in nows gone by but they also teach me how to be in my own present. I imagine God watches the world in this way allowing for the full beauty of every moment to be fully enjoyed and revelled. When ever I forget to do this myself, a photo can bring me back.


Today I offer you the following soothing moments of now:


Weeping Sunset by Elisa
(Note today happens to be her Birthday so do stop on 
by her Flicker spot and Wish her a Happy Happy Day!)




Water Lily by Robert Cowan
(My former boss turned EXCELLENT photographer.
See more of his work here.)




Another mesmerizing vista in Heather, our Guest Blogger's back yard.
Her blog is packed with beautiful shots.

On Monday I shared my favorite "serenity photo" which is by Michael Dreese. I really should do an entire post showcasing more of his gorgeous work but instead I offer these two and direct you to his redbubble site.


Butterfly and Cone Flower by Michael Dreese




Spring Willows by Michael Dreese 


This is episode three in my Visual Serenity series.
Click here for Episode One and Episode Two.

Next Post: A Serenity List

Have something to say about Serenity?
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My 13 bliss virtues are  
 [Click on any virtue to see all the Everyday 
Bliss Posts on the topic.]


Posted by Everyday Kathy at 8:59 AM
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3 comments:

  1. Theresa MacNaughtonMay 5, 2010 at 1:30 PM

    Oh, how BEAUTIFUL!!! Most especially the water lily photo and, of course, the butterfly photo. They do help me feel more peaceful. :) Theresa

    ReplyDelete
  2. MelindaMay 6, 2010 at 8:10 AM

    Hello, my Blissful friend!
    Great post ... I have been thinking of this so much this week. My teenager daughter told me earlier this week that I need to calm down and relax. Now, I don't believe everything a 13-year-old tells me, but I think she hit it on the money this time. Thanks for giving me something to remember when I feel a freak-out coming on.;0)

    ReplyDelete
  3. HecketyMay 6, 2010 at 9:53 AM

    What beautiful pictures- I love the last one of the Willows. Trees amaze me- as you've probably guessed! They start so small but keep going!

    ReplyDelete

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Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues

  • 1. TEMPERANCE - Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
  • 2. SILENCE - Speak not what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
  • 3. ORDER - Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
  • 4. RESOLUTION - Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
  • 5. FRUGALITY - Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e. waste nothing.
  • 6. INDUSTRY - Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
  • 7. SINCERITY - Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly.
  • 8. JUSTICE - Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
  • 9. MODERATION - Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
  • 10. CLEANLINESS - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths or habitation.
  • 11. TRANQUILITY - Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
  • 12. CHASTITY - Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or to the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
  • 13. HUMILITY - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

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