Texture finale - warm and fuzzy

Oriental grasses, Kew Gardens, London, England, September 2006, HP Photosmart R817, Exposure 1/617 sec @ f5.0, ISO 86, no flash © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We are wrapping up this week-long Texture series with something warm and fuzzy.

Sometimes, warm and fuzzy just feels nice. It welcomes you -- trying not to resolve issues -- not to confront issues -- but just to welcome you and the issues to relax.

Can you feel the warmth of the sun shining down on you? Hear the gentle breeze as it whispers to all of the grasses -- "move this way, now that way, back and forth," and you move to the rhythm as well. Can you touch them, in your mind's eye, and feel them tickle your palms as they sway and rustle.

Once more, the flow is illustrated. In many ways, with many metaphors. Find that flow. Be that flow. And you will gain that warm and fuzzy feeling deep inside, as you recognize your Self in every beautiful moment.

Texture - connections

Connections, Kew Gardens, London, England, September 2006, HP Photosmart R817, Exposure 1/50 sec @ f2.6, ISO 200, no flash © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Have you ever noticed that everything is connected? Oh sure, we say that "metaphorically", but just as this plant illustrates, that is actually how we are created. Take a look.

I see roadways -- multilaned interstate highways, connecting to busy communting arteries, fed by county, and city, and township roads. You've seen that, right?

Or connections via the information superhighway, with hyperlinks, leading from heavily trafficed web-sites to rarely visited or specialized blogs.

Or waterways -- small rivulets feeding brooks and stream, ultimately flowing into mighty rivers and commerce waterways.

And also in ways we cannot "see". Like quiet voices and resolute opinions influencing groups of people to take action. Or actions take over here, that through some unseen, multi-step process, eventually have impacts and consequences way over here -- never even imagined.

You see, connections represent one of the greatest textures of our life. And to remember that they are both seen and unseen, and are ever present, gives us something to always keep in mind. You really are connected to it all.

Texture - what's in focus?

What's in focus?, Kew Gardens, London, England, September 2006, HP Photosmart R817, Exposure 1/120 sec @ f2.8, ISO 200, no flash © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Another aspect of life's texture (at least to me), is the quantity of phenomena that you are exposed to, and the subset that you choose to focus on. Think of it -- you are constantly bombarded by sensations, images, feelings, voices (internal and external), and you cannot possibly focus on all of them. You must choose to filter, and choose to focus.

And it is my belief that what you choose to focus on will in large measure determine the character of your world. That's right. We are all potentially exposed to myriad messages, and some people tune in and react to one set, and other people focus on and react to another set.

No, this doesn't mean you create the weather. But it will influence whether you find the raindrops bothersome or joyous. It really depends on what you focus on, and how you choose to process that which you allow yourself to receive. So choose wisely. This fundamental "intention" will in large measure determine your happiness.

Texture - holding hands

Holding hands, Kew Gardens, London, England, September 2006, HP Photosmart R817, Exposure 1/90 sec @ f2.8, ISO 200, no flash © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Growing. Together. Living. Side-by-side. That's what we are all doing. With each other. And with nature.

So come on, take someone's hand and hold it. Care for others, rather than only self. Show compassion. Befriend all things.

If we are going to live this close together, we might as well be friends.

So the texture here is in our relationships. How are yours? Are the deep? Are they broad? And are they a source of joy? If not, you may wish to consider a change in how you view or value relationships.

Because, in the end, no man is an island. Everything truly is connected. Why not celebrate and take advantage of that reality? And walk hand in hand as you care for one another.

Texture - the unfurling

The unfurling, Kew Gardens, London, England, September 2006, HP Photosmart R817, Exposure 1/125 sec @ f2.8, ISO 100, no flash © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Another aspect of the texture of life to me is change.

It is fascinating when one just sits quietly and observes that everything is in motion, nothing is fixed, everything is changing. It's almost hard to wrap your mind around that.

Because our minds have been trained to observe, classify, and label. Not only do we tend to see things as fixed, but "if you've seen one, you've seen them all".

But of course, life is precisely the opposite of that. Like snowflakes, no two "things" are ever alike. Even moment to moment, no single "thing" is ever alike. Not even you.

And so, the unfurling continues. And the rich texture can be seen. Blessed.

Texture - the underside

The underside, Kew Gardens, London, England, September 2006, HP Photosmart R817, Exposure 1/100 sec @ f2.8, ISO 200, no flash © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Ah yes, the underside. Often dark and dank and really rather something to avoid.

Unless of course there is some illumination -- bringing the underside into the light.

Then you can see that it too is a part of life, and if carefully examined, can in fact be beautiful as well. And most defintiely part of our "texture". Yes, I want the complete package.

This week - Texture

Ferns and Water Drops, Kew Gardens, London, England, September 2006, HP Photosmart R817, Exposure 1/85 sec @ f2.8, ISO 200, no flash © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

This week, I think, a collection of photos that capture a sense of texture. They are all from a recent trip to London, and a visit while there to Kew Gardens.

Texture, to me, is a catch-all that represents a certain depth to life. It represents not only seeing things, but taking in clues from your other senses. Tasting the warm, humid air, smelling the rich soil and moss, hearing the misters watering the plants, feeling the feathery edges of the ferns.

It is amazing, isn't it, how so much of that is lost in a simple photograph. But hopefully, these will try to evoke some of those senses as you consider the texture of the plants you see, and the play of light and color in the image itself.