Early this morning I read the last chapter of Alan Watts' autobiography, "In My Own Way", which was entitled "The Sound of Rain". There was a definite irony as I read Watts' words expressing the truth that "the rain doesn't need a translation", as at that time a soft rain was falling steadily outside my window. I turned to open it, staring outside at the grass scattered amidst patches of mud and heaps of leaves across our back yard. I inhaled the morning, cool and refreshing, and then sat back down turning to the next page.
Upon concluding, I took our dog Olive outside. Chanting quietly, as I usually do while I'm out walking our dog, I strode with purpose to the back yard. I looked up while Olive nosed around the tree line skirting the perimeter of our property and could feel my heart suddenly leap forward in flight. It was stopped only it seems by the hindrance of flesh and bone.
The slender arms and fingers of trees were adorned with the translucent jewels of newly fallen rain. Precariously perched between salvation and peril they patiently awaited their inevitable fate of falling to the ground and being absorbed into the earth. They seemed perfectly fine with that.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight of them. I thought briefly how silly I must look now peering closely at a drop so delicate, so beautiful, with what seemed the whole of the universe within its tiny vessel of mostly emptiness. Reflections of upside down trees, earth and sky, shone back out at a world too busy to notice. But I noticed. And I reveled in the view. So much so that I went in the house to get my camera.
My camera is very basic so it took some time to manage to snap some shots that weren't blurry. The pictures I took really don't do any real justice as to the perfection of form and beauty that these drops possessed at that moment in time. But they are at least fairly clear.
I thought I'd share them here. I hope you enjoy them.
Have you ever been caught in wonder at something that you usually overlook? Feel free to share in the comments section. Thank you!
Beautiful pictures. Loved your line "a drop so delicate, so beautiful, with what seemed the whole of the universe within its tiny vessel of mostly emptiness". Isn't it so true, the whole Universe is in everyone and everything: Shivo Hum.
ReplyDeleteVery true indeed! Thank you so much for stopping by. :)
ReplyDelete~Hari Om~
The pictures do all the justice...more so your words.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janu. :)
DeleteDear Jessica,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the much needed grin. The sign of a true devotee: 'Chanting quietly as I usually do whilst walking the dog.' Those photos are breathtaking.
Thanks for sharing,
Casey
Thank you Casey. :) I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. And I love quietly chanting the names of God while walking..It draws me nearer to His peace and love...and we could all use more of that...it helps us and others as we reflect that light and love right back at those around us. :)
Delete~ namaste~
pretty amazing, that one of a real close up.Very clear and strikin!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Glad you enjoyed it! I was quite fascinated by them for some time now. I think my neighbor thinks I'm a little nuts though. ;)
DeleteBeautiful as are your words. I know the dedication and time it takes to get these kind of shots with a "basic" camera. You have more than done them justice. What wonder to see first thing in the morning. thank you.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was quite challenging! Someday I'll have a better camera that will more easily capture what I wish to capture. The objects of my awe. :) It was a beautiful morning indeed. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteOh, I think your photos are amazingly beautiful, Jessica! And, of course, your reflection describes your experience perfectly. Yes, I have been caught deep in wonder at the smallest of miracles all around me. I can't recall I time when I haven't practiced this type of observation.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, my friend, and thanks for a wonderful post!
I knew you'd be able to understand this post and the sense of awe I felt. :) Thanks for stopping by Martha. Always great to have you here!
DeleteThe pictures are beautiful. We dont notice always notice these things but if we keep our eyes open it is a wonder. I often watch ants work their way with food and it is so fascinating. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteAnts can be amazing! Even worms..The smallest of creatures, often the easiest for us to dismiss and abuse, are really quite miraculous when observed closely. Thanks for that example Rimly and for stopping by. :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful, magical, inspirational word picture you have painted here. Thank you for sharing. I loved every word!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed it Carl, thank you! :)
DeleteBEAUTIFUL pics and words. I have always LOVED the rain. It reminds me of God pouring down his blessings, from HEAVEN. Thank you for posting this. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the connection you draw Farfalla. Rain has oftentimes reminded me of grace, I'm not quite sure why. It definitely is beautiful to watch and hear and experience.
DeleteThanks for stopping by. :)
Hi Jessica:
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of a time when I was physically younger, perhaps 16-17 something like that and I was in m family's backyard. I can't recall if it was a spider building a web or a butterfly flitting from flower to flower or something else.
I was so entranced by what I was watching that i called my Mom over to see whatever it was. She actually turned to me and expressed dismay, saying something to the effect of:
Chris, when are you going to grow up?
I was SHOCKED! This was who I was when I was 16-17 and it's who I am now. I think I and was grown up. I think it's her that needs to grow up. She doesn't see the world the way I did then and she doesn't see the world that way I do now.
She's not at all spiritual which has been a real conundrum for me. If children learn what they live, then where did my deep spirituality come from?
I may have already relayed that story here earlier. Your post today shook it free again.
--
Chris
Chris, I'm so glad you enjoyed this post and that you could relate to the sense of wonder I felt that day. The thought did come to me that I felt like a child and that to help feed the soul we all need moments like this. Moments where, just like as with a child, the world appears to us as new and thrilling once again. Everything a wonder and miracle in its own right.
DeleteSo glad you could relate.
Thanks for stopping by. :)
~ namaste~
Hey Jessica.. really beautiful pictures..one at the top is my personal favorite..
ReplyDeletePrecariously perched between salvation and peril they patiently awaited their inevitable fate of falling to the ground and being absorbed into the earth.
loved that line.. Well said dear..
Glad you liked the pictures Deepak and that you enjoyed that line. I tried to capture it as best as I could. :)
DeleteThank you for stopping by. I hope to have you visit here again!
~namaste~
I love the images you captured! I'm like you - my camera is a very basic one, and I dream of treating myself, someday, to a much more advanced model. I love to walk in nature and capture unexpected moments. My favorite thing to do, bar none, is to get outside and walk after it has snowed. I've written about this...the stillness, the bright quality of pure peace that exists on a snowy day out in the country. I feel as though I am walking much closer to that which is Divine. Of course, I can access that anywhere, anytime, but I feel it more profoundly when I'm outside, walking in the snow.
ReplyDeleteSince it doesn't snow much these days in East TN, the next best thing is a soft gray day when the rain is intermittent and the sky hangs low. Your photos took me right to that place. Lovely!
Namaste', sweet girl. I love visiting you here.
- Dawn
I think the trick to being caught in wonder is to open your heart and give pause to the everyday. Hard though. Most of us get caught up in the to-do list. I agree with Dawn, your photos are a reminder and can take a person out their busy place to reflect.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could like the comments I read here ;) But I liked the word you used for rain ~ translucent 'jewels'. Oh how beautiful! To me, they are God's blessings. And the way, you were absorbed ~ in awe at every single drop...I wish that moment froze forever ;) It's so delightful sis.
ReplyDeleteI loved how you captured the images you've created in my mind. Thanks for sharing this moment of grace :*