Friday, January 7, 2011

Untie the Ribbons

I recently came across the above quotation in a book a friend gave my husband for Christmas. The quotation is credited to Ruth Ann Schabacker, and I love the message it conveys.

Our daily gifts come in all kinds of packages. If you are an early riser, your "gift" may be seeing an especially bright morning star out your kitchen window — or an extraordinary sunrise — all yours for the taking. All you have to do is "untie the ribbons."

Or it could be a smile or a small kindness from a stranger during the course of a busy day ... or a courteous driver who lets you into a long line of traffic ... or a totally unexpected compliment on your appearance or a job well done. Isn't it amazing how these "gifts" can lift our spirits and give us a whole new perspective on our day — all we have to do is "untie the ribbons."

And sometimes I think an even greater gift is being that stranger, or courteous driver, or compliment-giver. I know it makes my day brighter when I can do something kind for someone, especially when only the two of us know about it.

And speaking of gifts ... since I've been blogging, not a day goes by that I don't receive a "gift" in some form or another. It may be a gracious comment or personal note from a reader, or an especially touching or inspiring story shared by a blogger friend. And the genuine friendships, love, and compassion expressed by these blogging friends — people I have never met in person, and probably never will — are gifts I receive and untie each and every day.

My photography has brought me countless gifts, and most of them were hidden until I took the time to "untie" them by getting a closer look at something through my lens. Here are just a few of those gifts ...

The "flame" in the center of an Iris ...

The inside of a Cleyera seed pod ...

A chameleon resting on my butterfly feeder ...

Balloon Vine Seed Pods ...

A ladybug on Queen Anne's Lace ...

Those are just a few of the gifts I've received through my photography. I look forward to a new year filled with untying gifts like those ... and wish you the same.

5 comments:

Marlene said...

Absolutely beautiful post, and as always gives me something to think about through my day. What a gift you give us!

RachelD said...

Your words and pictures are gifts to ME, every day, each lovelier than any ribbons ever woven.

Thank you for all the past presents, and for the future gifts, as well.

nanny said...

Ditto, Marlene! I love the gifts you give us thru your wonderful shots!

Loui♥ said...

J~
My sentiments exactly!!
thanks for 'giving' such beautifully wrapped gifts with lovely ribbons for untying!!
Love your blog posts..
for the beauty contained within..
spiritually,
photographically..
verbally..
from the bottom of my heart..
thanks for sharing!
warmest hugs..
Loui♥

Deb said...

there are great gifts all around us...we just have to notice them...some spend too much time seeing the negative and not enough time seeing the positive...love your photos...especially the ladybug...