Thursday, May 14, 2015

The Eye of the Beholder

behold
see or observe
(someone or something, especially of remarkable or impressive nature)
My aim in every day is to find something extra in the ordinary.
To find beauty wherever I go.
When I walk, it's not just for exercise, it's for meditation and inspiration.
truth be told
This is a lot of what I see.
Piles of garbage and rubble are everywhere.  Trash litters the streets.
 
This past week I've been walking at night which gives me a different perspective.
 
I was very disappointed last night when I spotted a grandmother stop her SUV on the side of the road and have her young grandkids start chucking all their fast food trash out the window.  I walked over to the car and asked why she was doing it, why didn't she find a trashcan.  She played it off like they are just babies, as if it was the innocent children who had made the decision to litter.
I don't get it.
There is no excuse!

When I got home, a friend I met through Instagram had messaged that she found a gift that was SO me and she wanted to deliver it.
Athoob is a cookie baker, animal lover, photographer and all around lovely lady.  This is only our second meeting, but hopefully that will change when I have more time on my hands come June.
What could be more perfect than heart shaped candles that look like yarn? 
But the best part was her handwritten note.

beholden
Owing something, such as GRATITUDE, to another.

It reminded me why I choose to see and share pretty things on Instagram and here on my blog.
To focus on the good.

“What we do see depends mainly on what we look for. ... In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.” 
― John LubbockThe Beauties of Nature and the Wonders of the World We Live in

Have a wonderful day!

19 comments:

Createology said...

Thank you for sharing the "Good, Bad and the Ugly"! Shame on that woman. Young children learn from what they see and are told. I am always astonished when people choose to live in filth and debris instead of cleaning it up whch doesn't cost a lot of money. Why not take pride in their very own surroundings?!! Oh Dear I am on my soapbox now...

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,
You are so right about that... the garbage that is constantly being thrown out of the window (here in rural Georgia a lot!) makes me always angry. When we come back from a walk, we often pick up litter we find alongside our garden... WHY?!
It is a very ignorant and abusive way of living on this beautiful planet earth.
I never forget the very first time we did put the full garbage bags (from the USA!) inside our car and the driver wanted to throw them down the ravine in the mountains. We of course stopped him and taught him a lesson. But he almost dropped his mouth open as to say; you're kidding me! We told him to ONLY place it within the concrete walls of the designated places for garbage. IF he learned something from us, I doubt it...
Hugs and be happy with that most precious gift. Shows that someone pays attention to who you really are!
Mariette

Tanya said...

I'm glad you can look past the unsightly for the beauty...and I commend you for being so brave as to confront the woman with the children, but please be careful, dear friend! Lovely shots, Tammy...OK, all but the trash ones! Happy Friday - XOXO

Lorrie said...

A lovely post, Tammy. It's so true that we can choose where and on what to focus our attention - the ugly or the beautiful.
Cute candles from an appreciative friend.

September Violets said...

Everyone likes to see beauty, but it bothers me also that people are so careless about keeping things clean. The kids at our neighbourhood school had a track & field day this week. The amount of litter left from one afternoon was disgraceful! All kinds of empty water bottles, snack wrappers etc etc. I'm glad you spoke to the woman who told her kids to throw their trash out the window. Maybe she'll think twice about it next time. It's nice that you can still see the little bits of beauty that are there. Love that shot of the little kitten wrapped up with his tail ;)
Wendy

Teresa Kasner said...

I am so glad you choose to show the beauty.. reminds me of something that happened one night.. some people and I were walking by a construction site and there was a pool of muddy water at the bottom. Someone wisely said.. see my friends.. you can find beauty anywhere. I went.. what??? And he pointed out that the moon was reflecting in the muddy pool of water. I learned a lot that night. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Blondie's Journal said...

The quote is beautiful, Tammy, and spot on. I think we all see the diversity in our neighborhoods, cities and countries, everywhere we walk. It's simply not particular to one area, but I know you know this. You were brave to approach this woman. I would be frightened of backlash, at least here I would.

We can only do our part and educate those around us as best we can and by example.

I truly believe we both live in fascinating and wonderful places...to see the beauty is a gift. To see the rest is compassionate.

Jane x

Unknown said...

I really like your message in this post. One of the nice things about taking pictures is having selective vision. We get to save and savor what is important.

Betsy said...

Tammy, this is a beautiful post. Both the photos and the words. I really like the sky pictures. You are truly a talented photographer. But to show us the honest pictures are interesting too, otherwise we have a bit of a skewed view of what Kuwait acually is.
It is good to see the beauty in everything though as it makes life much more pleasant.
Those yarn candles are very fun and what a lovely card accompanying them. You are, indeed, a very special lady.
Blessings,
Betsy

Taci simmons said...

Beautiful 😍😊

homemade@myplace said...

such a pity all that trash…. unfortunately it happens everywhere, like Egypt, Indonesia, Mozambique and sadly even in Italy….
I quite agree your quote at the end of your post! I still remember when I was still at the university, studying for my degree in Geology…. one of my professors told us how a geologist will observe any landscape with a different eye, because of their knowledge of geomorphology and forces of Nature !
happy weekend, xxxxxx Ale

Cat said...

Oh Tammy that is so disappointing that a Grandmother should be teaching young children littering is ok. It really is so easy to find a rubbish bin. You are so right we all see things so differently and it is important to try and see the beauty in life around us. Have a beautiful weekend. x

Susan said...

Sorry to hear about the "trashy" lady.

You captured nice images, despite all the bad ones you also see, Tammy.

Tammy, did I miss posts on your leaving your job? Are you going to be free in the spring?

Loved the shot of the sweet little kitty. Susan

Mereknits said...

Such a horrible lesson to teach those children. She should be ashamed, but I fear she just does not respect the Earth. I do think you look at all the beauty, I should learn to be better about that. And those candles are about the most perfect gift for you ever.
Hugs,
MEredith

Wildflowerhouse said...

Oh what I have learned from your post. I was so shocked to see the trash,etc. I don't understand some people, especially blaming on the children. Where does she think they learned it from.......
I love the candles and they certainly were gifted to the right person. Take care and keep finding the beauty in this world of ours. Sharon

Melanie said...

Oh, Tammy...I was horrified by the photos of all the garbage on the streets of Kuwait. That's terrible! And then when I read your story about the grandmother telling her young grandchildren to throw their trash out the car window...WOW! I think my mouth was hanging open. I can't believe the ignorance of people. Litter drives me crazy. I even pick it up when I go on walks and find a trashcan. Well, I'm glad you choose to find the beauty in your surroundings - it's best to focus on the positive, isn't it? Lovely gift you received from a friend.

Quinn said...

What a lovely gift from your new friend - both the candles and he words!
I also tend to focus on the inspirational throughout my day. I don't want to imagine how grim my life would be otherwise.

Simple Home said...

What a beautiful note of appreciation from your new friend! I love that you see the beauty there and share it with us :)

CatieAn said...

Hi tammy I know you have shared with me before that you see a lot of trash and garbage on your walks. Thank you for sharing it with us to give us a different perspective. I have been to other countries...mostly third world and know what you are talking about. I would look at the people and the beauty in their brightly colored clothing and the beautiful hand made wares they would put so much time and effort in to for tourists and for themselves on a smaller level.

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