Isn’t it amazing how something as simple as a photograph can
hold so much power, contain so many thoughts, so many memories? Each individual who looks at a photograph
will more than likely see something different than the next person. You may interpret the photo differently and
you may subsequently have a whole different perspective and set of feelings
than the next individual who views the photograph. But to a degree, that makes it exciting –
interpretation of varying kinds!
I love taking pictures and I love looking at pictures. My computer monitors at work have a rotating
background with a variety of pictures that change every few seconds. I find that pictures help distract me and
cause me to take a second to pause in the midst of a busy day to reflect upon
my thoughts for that moment. For me
personally, I always take my digital camera, as well as my cell phone camera,
with me most anywhere I go. You never
know what type of moment you might be able to capture on camera, so I always
try to be prepared.
Today, I chose to share a picture that I took last fall
during one of our family vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains in
Tennessee. As many of you know, that
whole region of the country is one where I find such peace and relaxation. This
photograph captures one of my most favorite views in the Pigeon Forge
area – the Pigeon River with the massive Mt. LeConte looming in the distance
highlighted by the golden colors of the autumnal season.
When I sit and stare at this photograph, it makes me wish I
was camped out in a rocking chair just listening to the peaceful mountain water
as it trickles downstream while inhaling the fresh mountain scent, as the air
just seems to be so crisp and clear. It
always seems life is at a slower pace in the mountains and nature surrounds
you. You can easily walk along the paths
by the river or you can just sit back on a park bench and listen to the rushing
water, the birds chirping all around and absorb all that surrounds you. With Mt. LeConte looming high above the river
and overlooking the small towns down below (there is actually a lodge on top of
the mountain that you can hike to and stay at, if you so choose – I haven’t
attempted that feat yet!), you feel that you are surrounded in the beautiful nature
that God has blessed us with on this wonderful Earth.
Recently, I was very honored and humbled when former
California First Lady and news personality, Maria Shriver chose to share this
picture not only on her Instagram and Facebook pages but also in her weekly
newsletter/blog. She has a feature that
she calls #SoulSpace where she encourages followers to share photographs that
hold special meaning to them or photographs of places where one can escape to
and find their peace of mind. Needless
to say, when I shared my #SoulSpace photograph, I had no idea that Maria
Shriver herself would even see it, much less share it for others to see! I was beyond amazed at that, and I offer a
thank you to Maria for sharing a little piece of my world with the rest of her
world! Maybe one day, she will come
over and visit this area in the Great Smoky Mountains and she, like you
readers, can realize how truly peaceful this area of the country is. It is about a seven hour drive from my home
in Raleigh, North Carolina, to get over those Appalachian hills to my peaceful
area in the Great Smokies, but when you can sit and listen to those sounds,
breathe in the fresh air and feel as if you are million miles away from the
stresses of this world, it is well worth the seven hour journey!
I encourage each of you to find your #SoulSpace areas in
life and capture them in photographs, so in times when you are stressed at home
or work, you can easily pull up a photograph and reflect back on places or
times where you feel most free. And
while you’re at it, share your photos with Maria, too, she’ll definitely read
them and hey, who knows, she might even share your journey with her readers,
too! As I’ve always said we never know
who is reading our posts or viewing our photographs and we just never know how
it might touch someone else’s soul, so always be willing to share!
No comments:
Post a Comment