Beauty in Overlooked Places; Seeing That Which We No Longer See

 

"The more often we see the things around us -- even the beautiful and wonderful things -- the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds -- even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin

This photo was taken last week in Solvang, a quaint Scandinavian town in coastal California.  I had just exited a shop when I saw these flowers set inside wild grass, flowing in the wind, a flag casting dark shadows in scattered movement.  At the very top of the photo is the grill of a car, which took some work trying to obscure.  These plants lined the sidewalk next to the street where cars park, very easy to overlook, but with the way the light was shining and the movement of the plants I couldn't help but pause and take it in.

A group of Asian tourist noticed as well and started taking pictures, one women sitting on the pavement to pose for a shot.

How often do we walk by the beautiful?  Not just physical beauty, but symbolic beauty as well?  That which is seen and unseen.  How often are we so caught up in routine that we forget to pause?  Forget to look around?

Later that week my Mom, Grandpa, and I traveled up the coast to Ragged Point, a beautiful place set atop cliffs overlooking the Ocean.

My Grandpa had enough for the day and sat in the car to read after walking around a little, but my Mom and I weren't done.  Before walking the loop through trees and looking at breathtaking views, we stopped in the mini mart. The young man working the mart was quite energetic, and my Mom asked him where he lived, curious only because the Pacific Coast Highway is closed in many parts due to mud slide damage and whatnot.  He mentioned that the waterfall is in his backyard, pointing towards the direction, and suddenly we struck up a conversation about living in beautiful places and taking it for granted.

Even now, living along the Wasatch Front, where giant mountain peaks line the Eastern skyline, I take it for granted.  Bigger than life!  Beautiful!  But on many days I go about town, every now and then glancing up to take in the sight.

We really need to pause.  Pause and look around.  Pause to notice those who are in our life and those who are not.

We need to pause to see the things we've stopped seeing.

e see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds,
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/josephbwi645827.html

The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/beautiful.html

e see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds,
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/josephbwi645827.html

The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/josephbwi645827.html?src=t_beautiful

The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/josephbwi645827.html?src=t_beautiful

The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/josephbwi645827.html?src=t_beautiful