Tuesday, January 22, 2013

What shape is your perspective? . . .



"People who look through keyholes are apt to get the idea that most things are keyhole shaped"
-Author Unknown


As a photographer, perspective has an effect on my photography, it's how I see things. In life, perspective also has an effect on how I live, and how I see things. It helps to make an image tell a story, in life it simply helps to determine our happiness.

I don't think I'll hear any argument when I say life isn't always easy. In fact I would say a lot of times it's just plain hard and there are days when it feels impossible and unfair. But when I look back at some of those times, it almost always seems to be those struggles that have made life a little sweeter simply by putting everything else back in their proper positions. Those struggles help me to see the much bigger picture (not just through the keyhole), opens me up to the reality that I'm not alone, and helps me to have compassion for others because of them.  

It would seem that my ability to see, and how I relate those situations to the rest of my life, and how I live it depends a great deal on where I stand.

And just as in my photography, in life if I stand where I've always stood, nothing will ever look different.

I have learned that being grateful in all things is the key to perspective and that when my gratitude grows . . .  so does my joy.





So, yes I'm grateful for my struggles as hard as they may seem sometimes because they help me keep a handle on life's perspectives. Just as the thorn on a rose bush reminds me that in life there is something beautiful that comes from the pain of our trials.


"If you look at it the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden."
- Frances Hodgson Burnett




36 comments:

terriporter said...

Love your thoughts on gratitude and how perspective plays such a big part. Gorgeous photos too! Love the pink flower with the quote along the stem and the perfect texture! Great words for all of us to try to live by.

heyjudephotography said...

Love this Kim. Isn't there a quote that Claudia likes, "it's not the way things look, it's the way you look at things" ? Or something like that! I really try to get through things by looking at it in the "whole scheme of things".. Seems to put everything in perspective very quickly.

Kim Stevens said...

I was feeling sorry for myself last year when my knee was acting up and I was still on crutches when it came time to go to the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show, until a man with no legs in a wheel chair crossed my path...sometimes I need perspective to smack me in the head!

leigh said...

So good Kim! Sometimes all we need is to change our perspective a bit and everything can change for the good. Beautiful! I adore your flower photo with the stem of text. Just lovely!

Kim Stevens said...

Yes, I do remember her saying it's one of her favorite quotes. I think I'm learning too, that perspective is something I have to train myself to see in life, just like with my camera. Thanks!

Kim Stevens said...

Thank you Leigh! I made myself miserable when we moved here because I refused to stand in a different spot, haha - now I can't imagine standing anywhere else!

Jan said...

Beautiful Kim, and for me, another example of when you're ready to learn, the teacher will appear. I've had a couple of down days, and what I need is a change in my perspective. Your beautiful photos and heart have done it for me today. Love to you!

CarolHart said...

Beautiful images! I love the placement of the text on the stem of the flower. Lovely. Your message of perspective serves as a wonderful reminder for us all. Thank you so much.

Dotti said...

Yes ... this is such a great post ... such a great reminder for all of us. We know this, we really do ... we just forget... whether with our photography or in our living. The photos are luscious and as for the quote on the stem, I'm having a V-8 moment and slapping my head saying, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Wheeeee ...

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Oh I so love the quote from The Secret Garden my all time favourite children's book.... Sometimes you have to stand back to see the perspective...

AFishGirl said...

Such a fabulous post. It really resonates with me. Wise, wise words you've put out here for our viewing. Thank you.

Fishgirl

terriporter said...

Oh, don't we all!

Linda/patchwork said...

Great post. Perspective is really important. Sometimes we just have to move a few inches, to see things in a whole different way....whether for a photograph, or life. Thanks for reminding us.

Love the flower and quote stem.

Focusing on Life said...

I agree with all of the above. Very inspirational, ad I too love the flower stem, and all your pictures . Thanks for the reminder that life is pretty lucky for most of us.

Focusing on Life said...

I agree with all of the above. Very inspirational, ad I too love the flower stem, and all your pictures . Thanks for the reminder that life is pretty lucky for most of us.

Kim Stevens said...

Oh Jan, you just made my heart smile ----> :) Now, go grab your camera and share that change of perspective with us!!

Kim Stevens said...

Thank you Carol!

Kim Stevens said...

Oh yes, I know this, I know this all too well this perspective thing and have to remind myself. And you and I must be related...I have those V-8 moments often!! hehe

Kim Stevens said...

Yes, something like the forest and those trees - Oh that's another post! ;) Thanks Viv!

Kim Stevens said...

Thank you so much Pam!

Kim Stevens said...

And sometimes when I need a change of perspective seeing things in a mirror backwards helps too! ;) Thanks so much!

Kim Stevens said...

Who is that life sister behind the green curtain? haha xo

Claudia said...

You made me smile and cry a bit! you are sooo right... my fav quote: "When you change the way you look at things, the THINGS you look at change." Wayne Dyer. I love your Pink flower and yes, I have to admit that trials do make us stronger... its just making the promise to ourselves that we will "someday" be thankful for it! :)

Thanks for the reminder! I NEEDED it!

Hugs my darling friend.

Claudia

Kim Stevens said...

Hi Miss Claudia, yes, that promise can sometimes be hard, but I don't think there was a time I haven't been thankful for it later! xo Hugs!!

Sherri B. said...

How beautifully put...what an inspirational (and wise) post. The hard times definitely make me so incredibly grateful when the times are good. Your images are so pretty - a perfect match for your words!

Inspired By June said...

It's funny how God works. I've been thinking a lot about perspective lately and now the subject seems to be popping up in places where I venture! Guess I need to pay attention! Lovely post, Kim, as always, you have a way with words.

Kathryn Dyche said...

Love your thoughts on perspective, I needed to hear those today. Thank you. x

Comfypjs said...

Wow, that was very touching and the photos were beautiful as always. I always thought that the trials of life come not so God can see how much faith we have but rather so we can see how much we have because God already knows. While hard to go through, it is with awe that we look back and realize that we need to trust God more for everything in everyday.
Thanks for this wonderful post!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Lovely post Kim and a gorgeous photo!

Roxi H said...

Wonderful post. I may print this and pin to my wall as a reminder.

Kim Stevens said...

Thank you Sherri, I'm so glad you came by here!

Kim Stevens said...

Thank you so much June, and yes He has a way of directing us to where we need to be!

Kim Stevens said...

Kathyrn, I so appreciate your visit here!

Kim Stevens said...

I love how you put that, and your right, trust and faith in Him everyday - thank you!

Kim Stevens said...

Thank you!

Kim Stevens said...

Thank you, and I should just write the word "perspective" on my bathroom mirror! ;)

Post a Comment

Thank you for sharing part of your day with us. If for any reason you are unable to leave a comment here on this post, please leave your comment on our Facebook page or in our Flickr discussion group. We love hearing from you!

 
© Focusing On Life