Totally struggling with inspiration today. Could it be due to the fact that I only had 41/2 sleep last night? A tremendous thunder and lightning storm rolled in around 2 AM and I just couldn't get back to sleep! And it has continued to alternate between heavy rain and sunshine all day.
I've been thinking a lot about beauty and perfection lately and how what is perceived as beautiful and lovely is often subjective and standardized by a consumer based society. It is often based on lies that a manufacturer presents as truth so that you will think you NEED a particular product and buy it. It's a vicious and frustrating cycle if you buy into it. Then I spotted this flower, wilted, and succumbing to the change of seaon. In its own way it has beauty and loveliness. Its petals still curl gracefully beneath it. It's tones have muted with age, even blackened, but it still captures the eye. And it protests its eventual demise by brilliantly displaying its future with seeds projecting from its cone. It is beautiful, not because it is prestine, perfect or flawless. Its beauty was not determined by someone else. Its beauty comes from what it has given in the course of its life; something lovely to look at and appealing to a host of insects. I want to fight against what determines beauty as boldly as this flower fights the coming of winter, and instead give of myself with the gracefully bent petals and muted tones of what remains of my lifetime. Such are the contemplations of a sleep deprived woman!
@jml0306 Thank you Joseph. I know that the white edging is somewhat out of fashion, but it really worked with this shot. @crickle1969 Thank you Crystal! @bruni Thanks Bruni! @coastandcactus Thank you very much Cissy. Yes, I can certainly be spirited! And I also desire to be led by the Spirit. So, it can be a good combination at times. Thank you again for such kind words. @changingtides Thank you Allie. Funny thing is that I wasn't crazy about it at first, but in the end it became my favorite of the day.
Wow! Wish I could think as clearly when sleep deprived. You are correct, this flower is beautiful as it reaches the end of its life cycle, it provides for the future by casting its seeds to become many more flowers in the future. My hope is that when my life has ended, and I hope I can live a bit yet, that the seeds of inspiration and beauty that God has planted in my soul will be both remembered and create inspiration and beauty for the future.
@kerristephens Thank you Kerri- I always appreciate your faithful comments! @bkbinthecity Thank you bkb. Yes, I know that's an overused phrase but you are right. It is so true. @digitalrn Thank you Rick. It's a bit of a departure for me colorwise, but I like the way it turned out. @bk12racing Thank you Mike for the view and comment- I appreciate it!
Captivated with your photo and story, Ann. God's gifts to us are priceless. Will we ever learn to see the real beauty in this world?? That flower is beautiful from beginning to end. Life.
Sleep deprivation does get in the way of things, but it didn't stop you taking a brilliant pic! Beautiful detail, and I like the focus and colours too.
@melorac Thanks so much Carole for all your faithful comments! @prttblues Thanks Bev! These flowers came from seeds a friend gave to me and when they first started growing I couldn't figure out why they were called "cone" flowers. It wasn't till they were in full bloom the cones finally appeared. So, we're all learning!
@crickle1969 Thank you Crystal!
@bruni Thanks Bruni!
@coastandcactus Thank you very much Cissy. Yes, I can certainly be spirited! And I also desire to be led by the Spirit. So, it can be a good combination at times. Thank you again for such kind words.
@changingtides Thank you Allie. Funny thing is that I wasn't crazy about it at first, but in the end it became my favorite of the day.
@sanera Thank you Samantha!
@michaelelliott Thanks Michael! I appreciate the view and comment!
@pandorasecho Thanks Dixie- really loved your ocean shot today!
@httpgeffed Thanks Colleen- I hope so too!
@bkbinthecity Thank you bkb. Yes, I know that's an overused phrase but you are right. It is so true.
@digitalrn Thank you Rick. It's a bit of a departure for me colorwise, but I like the way it turned out.
@bk12racing Thank you Mike for the view and comment- I appreciate it!
@prttblues Thanks Bev! These flowers came from seeds a friend gave to me and when they first started growing I couldn't figure out why they were called "cone" flowers. It wasn't till they were in full bloom the cones finally appeared. So, we're all learning!