perspective

One thing that I noticed, whilst away this weekend, was that my perspective had changed in one area. [well in lots but one stood out to me].

As you all know, I am working on my creative side. I am putting in the hrs and effort into being more disciplined with writing. I am also taking Art lessons. Once thing my art teacher often says is, "I am not only teaching you to draw, more than that....I am teaching you how to see."

While away, whether walking or driving along, I was continuously drawn to seeing nature through new eyes. I was no longer just seeing a tree....or even a magnificent tree. No, I was seeing its form and shape and texture. I was seeing the delicate relationship between light and shadow. I took many photos of nature, not just animals because I was intrigued with its look. Its whole detailed look. It was in this that I realised that my perspective of how i saw things had completely been transformed. It didnt happen over night, and it didnt happen without effort. . . but it happened.

If you are struggling with your outlook. Perhaps its become negative or critical or hopeless. . . sometimes you can't change your situation but you can change the way you perceive it. You can still find the beauty in it, even though the situation itself is hopeless. Many trees that caught my eye or fascinated me this weekend were growing either in desert places, due to our drought....or in places of death due to another tree choking it out. . . but they were still beautiful in shape and form. Just like we get new glasses and have our eyes checked annually [if we wear glasses]... these things help our perspective....so should we be putting effort and energy into things that help our spiritual perspective. Things like His word and time with Him.

Also sometimes you just need to rest. Sometimes what you are looking for is right in front of your eyes, but you are almost in a daze from looking, or are so busy searching in the distance that you dont notice it is right in front of you. We had this happen a few times in the game reserves. Often suddenly an animal was right beside us, but we were so busy seeking out the distant fields that we missed it. Once it was a Giraffe's kneecap right next to my window that alerted me. I was pondering what kind of tree had such a huge knot in it. Its often when we pause, rest and stop striving, that God opens our eyes to what is directly in front of us. . . perspective is not permanent, and often things will cloud its judgement. . . so be careful little eyes what you see.

PS here are some of the tree shapes that caught my eye.....maybe one day i'll sketch them.