Most of us perceive the peripheral as details of minor relevance or importance. My opinion is changing.
pe·riph·er·al
of, relating to, or being the outer part of the field of vision.
The main focus of this photograph is what is in this image. But you cannot imagine how it really was to be there because you cannot see the peripheral; dozens and dozens of hot air balloons, creating a feeling and image so spectacular and surreal, even a panoramic couldn’t capture it. They surrounded us….360 degrees.
It reminds me of my dad’s house after he died. Describing him as an accumulator of all things was an understatement. The pictures I attempted to take of rooms and rooms literally filled to the ceiling did not and could not capture the immensity and enormity of what my brother and I had to face. It is because you cannot see the peripheral in the photographs. The feeling of being in all that stuff was overwhelming. His death was overwhelming. But in the picture, you could only see one small section. The feeling was lost.
Daily and moment by moment, I see only a small part of a big picture in my life. I meander through my day not noticing all His wondrous gifts.
Being thankful is changing my perspective and taking a film off of my eyes that I never knew was there.
In hindsight, I see a bigger viewpoint that reveals the work God was and is doing in my life. At times, however, I am unable to see the peripheral.
Imagine your day if you went through it aware that you cannot always see the peripheral.
Or that you become aware that there is a peripheral to see. Would you open you eyes wider?
Maybe we would move slower and notice more; not just look, but see; and not just hear but really listen.
Especially those times of adversity, growing pains, and times that seem obscure. And sometimes, just to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.
And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” Mark 10:51
I pray I recover my sight. All of it. Even the peripheral.
By Christina AKA Homeschool Mom
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What a beatiful perspective Christina and so true!
“notice more; not just look, but see; and not just hear but really listen.”
All good things,
Charina
Thank you , Charina!
A challenging perspective — as an amateur photographer I have been taught to look all around before focusing my camera. Now I am challenged to do that in all my life . . . thank you.
Thank you, Becky!
Notice….that was my word for 2011 (since I haven’t picked a word this year…I’ll continue NOTICING, haha)
Being a big fan of photography, you are so right about the “still shots” portrayed in our jpgs….and if we aren’t careful it’s so easy to “freeze frame” a life, a person, a stranger, a friend! I guess, it takes looking with more than a glance, but looking with more compassion and understanding to get the WHOLE picture. The true perspective. And when we can learn something there, then sometimes we can see where we need to act and what the best course of action is.
Very thought provoking post, thank YOU 😀
What a great word for the year! I am still thinking about one for the year, maybe ‘Noticing’ should be mine too. 🙂 Thank you!
You are all so kind! You have really blessed me this morning!
Very well said. Even as a photographer trying to capture an event, a person, place or thing, the trick to somehow communicate and reflect all that I can to the viewer. To become awake to all that is around us in the midst of daily life is a mission and well worth the attention required to see it. Thanks for the wake up call this morning.
Thank you, Harry!
What a beautiful thought, that is something we (usually) are able to do with our children because they are our miracles, but think of putting difficult situations into that perspective constantly and seeing how people have a past and pain and how we need to know there is more outside our peripheral (as you say) and to be more compassionate!
Thank you, Liz!
The timespan of God is a concept that I often struggle with.
Understanding that God has me as a WORK IN PROGRESS and that IT TAKES TIME (and not just MY time; but HIS time) is a hard pill for me to swallow.
I often wrestle with the “right in front of me” without searching for the Lord’s peripherals. But what amazing wingspan of The Lord’s sight and love for us.
🙂
Kaitlin: Such a beautiful reply… Wingspan is a great analogy. Thank you for blessing me today!
This is so lovely. Thank you for reminding us to readjust or focus sometimes.
Thank you, Lisa-Jo!
I’ve been getting convicted lately about NOT noticing as much as I could or should about those around me… little things like their facial expressions when nobody is watching, like whether they’re dealing with physical ailments, like what truly makes their eyes light up and puts a sincere smile on their faces. Thanks for this timely reminder of widening our gaze to include the peripheral things.
What a great point. It is in the little things, isn’t it. Thank you for sharing!
This is beautiful. You have such a way with words (you logophile, you…). Sometimes I get stuck in my own little picture, and I need a kick to remind me that there is a “peripheral”. Thanks for the kick!! 😀
Thank you, friend. Love you to the moon!
Thank you Christina! Sometimes we focus on “bad” things so that we can’t even see “good” things! I have a job ahead of me like you described, and your words encourage and motivate me to see beyond the thing right in front of me..to GO ON..even when I don’t want to. Thank you, and God bless you! 🙂
Thank you, Gerry. I need to remember this too!
If we could see the big picture instead of what is right before us, I think we would see a completely different picture, God is doing so much that we can’t see, and although I can’t see it, I do believe there is so much more, He is a More God!
Enjoyed your insights, thanks for sharing with us here.
Thank you, Kathy, I think you are right!
Amen
I love the perspective of your words, Christina. We are encouraged often that we only see a little of God’s big picture. Your analogy to peripheral vision won’t soon leave my memory. How blind we are! Blessings to you.
Thank you Julie, you encouraged me!
I’ve always heard that you never want to miss the forest for the trees…
I agree. Sometimes it is hard to do.
This is a beautiful example of a post that can speak to all the areas in our lives! Our relationships, jobs, financial security (or insecurity), self-worth, investment in others… the list goes on.
I had to tweet a link to this, Christina. It’s that good! 🙂
Thank you, Donna. I need this reminder too. Many thanks!
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