As Fall falls

Throughout autumn, I acquired a large selection of colorful photos.  Before this season ends, I want to share these with you.

(Credits to my sister, Grace, for this awesome shot!  She's also improving in her own photography)

  

"Plurality"

These are some of my favorite flowers!  I enjoyed seeing them in the woods and fields during fall.  It always strikes me how many of these tiny daisies grow together wherever they are!  The result?  A shining patch of white that pops out of the green scenery, creating a beautiful picture of delicate wonders.

"Fruit in the Tangle"

The first luscious colors of autumn!  We found this scene outside my grandparents house in Northern Michigan.  

"Standing on Dead Leaves"

I've mentioned in a previous blog post that, for me, every foot picture I take tells a story about where I've been in life.  This one speaks to me about the times we walk over fallen dreams, dead ambitions, ended relationships and closed doors.  Those times are hard, even long.  The pain might remain with us for our entire lives.  I've been encouraged, though, by dear friends who remind me of spring dawning after the cold.

"Yellow and Orange"

Isn't that fall sky simply striking as a background for vibrantly colored leaves?  There is beauty in the dying greenery.  Even during hard times, the skills and knowledge that brings you through each day makes you courageous and amazing!

My wonderful siblings! (Luka 11, Grace 15, Emalai 7.)

"Fire in the Sky"

"Sun Shining Through"

While I'm on the theme of falling leaves representing tough times one passes through, I also must mention the sunshine in one's life.  For me, my sunshine comes in the form of good friends who let me come as I am, in creativity which makes me feel alive, sibling making me laugh, and even physical sunshine which brightens my day.  "Cloudy days" often leave me feeling isolated, depressed and frustrated.  So I have to choose to surround myself with people and activities who shine light into dreary times.

"Love"

"Elegance on a Dusty Road" 

As a missionary kid and someone who loves dressing up, I often stick out like a rainbow zebra among white-tail deer.  On the inside, I'm made of the same stuff as others: deep fears, desires, dreams, goals, pet peeves.  But it's often hard to get past the external and thought-pattern difference (which kind of different shines through often depends upon where I'm at).  This picture speaks to missionary kids like me: allow your elegance full (and properly humble) shine in every rough dirt road you walk through.

"Dark Hands"

"Centered"

"Looking Back"

This picture is for those who have been forced to leave precious things behind.

"Energy"

"Peaceful"

The two previous pictures- Energy and Peaceful- seem to contradict one another, yet at the same time I get the same joyous feeling as I look at both.  Energy speaks to the times of elevation, when we have motivation to do.  These times feel successful!  However, why do times when we need to sit right where we're at, because of pure exhaustion, seem so wasted?  That dwelling right where you're at in your journey allows you to be.  You can learn more about yourself, question the root of your beliefs, and enjoy life with new eyes.  

I had to rake leaves and jump in them at least once this fall!  Emalai joined me.

"Storms"

"Different and Together"

I've been actively trying to appreciate people in my life who have personalities and world views different from my own.  It's hard, daunting work!  Our human nature coils in fear when someone different approaches, because we don't know what to expect from it.  We cannot brace ourselves.  Thus, we enter a space of vulnerability.  Yet in that vulnerability is the opportunity to learn.  Learning requires the time of growth, the pain of uprooting, the consciousness of listening.  Yet we arrive upon a much more textured world when we open ourselves to those different than us.

"Still Standing"

To all of you who've walked through times that hurt to the very core of you.  You are still alive today, still reaching out to others and doing every-day tasks.  Cheers for you- you're still standing!

"Slowly Walking"

(Credits to Mom.)

It's slow progress, yet we're still going somewhere.

"Covered Reflection"

This picture stands out to me because the clouds reflected off the water are mostly hidden in fallen leaves.  Often times I find this happening in my own life too: the broken pieces cover little joys for which I can still be thankful.  Gratitude then brings me through the day.

"Secret Rejoicing"

Even if no one else is around to see you take that step you need to, do it!  And celebrate yourself for that victory- it's big!

"Succession"

"Powerful"

"Approaching"

I admire my mother (in this picture) and many others across history for approaching chapters life which seem daunting.  They took the largeness of the coming scene one step at a time, until they could dance under colorful trees.

"As Is"

This week, good friends of mine brought up the concept that they called "as is".  They explained it as coming just as you are and being totally accepted- flaws and beauties.  We discussed the different aspects of "as is".  For one, you need to identify those people who allow you to come as you are.  It gives you freedom to be unapologetically where you are on your life journey.  On the flip side, we must ensure we don't use "as is" for an excusing offending acts.

"Sheltered"

"Stuck in the Descent"

Another name for this photo which crossed my mind was holding on.  I believe both names carry a lot of weight and aspect with which one can relate.

My favorite pumpkin carving of the year.

"Future Unknown"

"Circle in the Sky"

"Layers"

This foot picture reminds me of the times I've had to be patient.  This includes with myself, others and the situation.  It's often boring and hard.  Yet it proves a necessary skill worth developing.

"The End of the Day"

Thank you so much, all of you, for reading and appreciating my blog.  Your response means the world to me.  I love to share the works I collect.  Hopefully, this upcoming winter brings many more photos and thoughts equally as joyous to share!