“Let the beauty we love be what we do.”
Rumi.
I gazed up and up through the palm fronds to the conservatory dome above. It was a cold February day in New York and my job was in jeopardy. I worked for the state Department of Health in a program created to help people with brain injuries maintain life at home in their communities, but deep budget cuts had torn the program apart, leaving me in a bureaucratic limbo.
There was no work that day because I (and many others) had been “sort of fired” and we were waiting to hear what was next. Would funding be restored? Was this really the end? So camera in hand, I took a trip to the botanical garden and lost myself in the restorative beauty of the conservatory. And yes, it was very beautiful. The greens and pinks and yellows, the shapes and scents, they all worked their way under my skin, until I felt a calm certainly that everything would work out. Then my cell phone rang. Our jobs had been restored.
But here’s the thing: my mind didn’t stretch far enough (as surely my eyes did) to grasp the bigger truth. That call was just the first of a series of calls that would ping pong me in and out work for the better part of the year, until finally my job was truly gone. The positive feeling I had, and the photos I took that day that reflected a beautiful certainty? They did not reflect just the fact that I had my job back – that confident intuition reflected something much bigger.
I lost the job later that year, but with the loss came the decision to leave New York for good. I moved west, and for many long, unemployed months when I had little or no income, I joyfully explored my new home. And with camera in hand, as I explored, I created this blog. That was the bigger picture, of which I had no inkling that day among the palms – I only knew that things would work out. Since then, more and more, I’ve been able to let the beauty I love be what I do.
At the Palm House in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, New York Botanical Garden, NYC, NY.
Today I invite Johnnycrabcakes to join the 5 Day Black and White Challenge. He’s a bit ornery sometimes, so he I suspect will hate me for asking him to join a challenge. So be it. Take a look at a recent black and white photo of his that’s full of mystery.
If he’s up for it –
- For 5 days, create a post using any past or present photo in black and white.
- Each day, invite a new photographer to join the fun.
If he’s not up for it, go see him anyway – he writes really well, and takes terrific photos. And I’ll be back for the third day soon.
bluebrightly 
Love the strong lines, the light and shade in this! Nice one
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Thank you Sue – yes, what a pattern, right?
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Certainly!
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This is a fabulous photograph Lynn. Really, really lovely. The strong contrast an backlight works really well.
I’m so glad you made the move and that everything is settling down. I’m also glad you made the decision to start this blog. It’s superb! 🙂
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Ah, so good to hear that! You’re a prince!
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I like how the lines of the conservatory dome sort of mimic those of the palm fronds. And I hope the change in your life that brought you here continues to unfold into good things.
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Oh, the PNW is great, as you know. Life isn’t always easy, but I left a lot of stress behind when I said bye to NYC. Thanks for your thoughts –
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Gorgeous photo, and your story is so inspiring! I’m very glad you started this blog. It’s a positive place in the world. I’ll check out johnnycrabcakes…sounds right up my alley.
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Yes, please check him out! thanks…
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I just wish I’d taken that shot! The Department of Health’s loss is our gain. It is a magnificent image – the patterns are magical.
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I know you and I share a love of patterns, and yes, that’s exactly what draws me to palm leaves, over and over, I just love them. Thanks Louis!
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A fine response to life’s challenges!
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NYBG is such a beautiful place – I think now it would be tonic!
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We don’t always know how to celebrate the end of a chapter… and the beginning of the next.
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So maybe photographing the Pacific northwest is one long celebration? That sounds cool! 🙂 Thanks Shimon!
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This is such a beautiful image, Lynn. I was interested to read the story behind it. You sound quite contended now, and I wish you all the very best for the future in your new adventure. xx
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Content in some things, not in others, but isn’t that the way? Thanks!
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A beautiful, photograph for black and white.
You never know where things might take you – I guess that’s part of the joy and pain in life.
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What a beautiful photo! It makes me stop for a moment to really observe what a palm tree looks like, from trunk to leaves. It sounds like such a special day, both then, “losing yourself in restorative beauty”, and now, as the turning point that led you here (and I think, what a pity if you had never started this blog!). Your story is inspiring, so full of trust and, of course, beauty. Here’s for the continuation, I wish you many good things to unfold!
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Great shot ~ and love the quote that follows “Let the beauty we love be what we do.” A great sentiment for the day. Cheers!
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