Look who has popped his head through the layer of snow-turned-to-ice in our back garden. Ultimately this is my get pushed b&w for the day, but this guy inspired me today. I always wanted a garden Buddha. When we bought the house 10 years ago and started cleaning out all the weeds and separating the overgrown hostas, he was one of the first non-plant purchases made. This image ultimately exudes the Japanese concept of "gaman." In the dictionary, this term is defined as all of the following: patience, endurance, perseverance, tolerance, self-control, self-denial. This concept is taught very early to Japanese children is can be seen nearly everywhere in the culture. Seeing this image this morning in my garden made me realize how impatient I can be. Buddha knows spring will come, it is in the nature of things. It may not be today, but it will come. Ice crystal by ice crystal, the morning sun warms his body and melts away the frozen shell. Take the day for what it is, enjoy the sun on your skin, and know the spring will come.
I love the negative space here with this zen head coming through! I like the contrasts between light and dark, and you have kept a softness to the features of Gaman. Well done.
