Details create the bigger picture.
- Sandford I. Weil
And the only way to see those details is by getting in close. Miss the details and you could quite possibly miss the bigger picture...
In life I tend toward, get the heck up there and soar! I like aerobatics. Zoom. It’s fun. It’s exhilarating. And hey, we’ve got to check out that "big picture," right? It is a dilemma though (one of many), because I also love the details. Yeah, the details can drive me to utter distraction, which is already a failing of mine. “Utter Distraction” could be my middle name. I’ll never know though, because it doesn’t hold my interest long enough for me to find out. I’d have to check out my birth certificate. And on the way to looking for my birth certificate, I’m sure I’d find a bazillion other pieces of paper that would be fun to browse and by the time dinner rolled around I’ll have forgotten what I was looking for in the first place. See? Distracted. Easily.
As distracted as I may (may? hah!) get, I do realize that we really need to view everything in life from both angles: way up high and down in close. Otherwise, you will miss stuff. Important stuff. There are things that you absolutely cannot see unless you get down in close and really look.
"Getting down," in the non-Jungle Boogie-Kool & The Gang sense, is necessary in life (and in writing). Getting close to something or someone or examining an idea...it can get messy. It can be disillusioning. That's the risk of looking closely.
My point (yep. I do have one) is that unless you're willing to look at things closely you'll never see all those lovely and not-so-lovely fine details. Up close, you will see those wrinkles and scars, but it is the only way you’ll ever get to see that sparkle in someone's eye and the real texture of someone's soul…especially your own.
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| I can't take credit for this one. My husband (definitely the more grounded one of us) spotted this little guy. I just snapped a picture. He's cute though, isn't he? He just posed for us...almost blending in with the fence post he sat on. |
"Up close, you will see those wrinkles and scars, but it is the only way you’ll ever get to see that sparkle in someone's eye and the real texture of someone's soul…especially your own."
ReplyDeleteGreat post! One of my favorite things to do is to lay down in the grass in the back yard or at a park and take a close look at the world from down there...all the little things that people pass by everyday and take for granted.
Thanks, Eric! I love getting down on the grass, field, and sand, too. And you're right, by doing this you'll see "all the little things that people pass by everyday and take for granted."
DeleteThe Native Americans teach that we have a lot to learn from all the animals, which (among man others) includes hawks, wolves, and field mice. Each of these animals see the world in a different way, and we "humans" can benefit from their view. By laying down in the grass we will be seeing through the eyes of Brother Field Mouse. Isn't that cool?
Thanks for visiting, QuayZ :)
I got lost in Travis videos after watching "Closer". *g*
ReplyDeleteI am a *carry my trusty microscope on humanity* kinda people. I guess, in trying to understand myself, I learned early...
#1 That people like it when you ask what they think or how they feel.
#2 That people respond more honestly and openly when they feel listened to, in turn, listening to themselves more. THAT is a force for good.
And C)*g*... That I have much to learn by simply showing up.
Life is SO in the details. I was the *caregiver* as a kid. The one who gave the hugs, patted away at the pain, tried to help THEM help themselves. I learned somewhere along the line, that empathy was helpful to us both. But attempting to eradicate the pain for them that others were feeling, was neither helpful to them or me. I learned that through pain, we grow.
Wow. So not on subject. Where's my head?
You're right on, IK. I believe "The risk of looking closely", whether at Ourselves... OR... Ourselves in others, IS the real texture of the soul. It's all in braving the uncomfortable bits.
I love Travis! If you "got lost" in Travis videos, I hope that means you love them, too. *g*
DeleteI completely agree with your points 1, 2, and C (haha!). And you're absolutely right, life IS in the details...how we handle those details shows who we are.
I also feel the same way that you do about empathy, in helping others, we are actually helping ourselves. The reverse is true, as well. As we help ourselves, by growing, being brave, facing the truth, and becoming our best "me," we help the world.
And pain is the great shortcut to learning in life. Damn it.
I think you stayed on subject just fine! But then, of course, I'm a bit zag-zig myself!
I hope you know how much I value your words, Scarlett. xo
"pain is the great shortcut" That's genius. Sometimes I forget that I don't always have to re-live the pain in order to hang onto the lesson.
DeleteI think I just realized something about myself, though it's been lurking in my brain for some time now. I agree completely that it is "how we handle the details" that reveals who we really are on the inside.
I've always considered myself a strong person. At least, I play the part effectively. It's easy to fool those who walk with their eyes cast down.
But when I look closer at how I tend to react in those situations, which drag my truest self to the surface ~ that SELF which trusts no one to *save* me ~ I find that I am that person who panics, unsure of my own strength to survive.
When those around me react with "I've GOT this!"... I freak out. I don't trust in their ability to protect. But, when those around me react with fear, my strengths shine with brilliant armor in tow, to serve and protect. Kick-ass Scarlett steps up ready to rumble.
You and me, IK.
We'll save world with a wink and a smile. *squnch*
PS: Flowers in the Window. Awesome video! Love the song. Enjoyed them all.
While we're on topic... Can I just say, I LOVE your playlist! Ahhh! All of it!
DeleteI saw The Killers a couple of summers ago in an outdoor concert in Louisville, KY. Loved them.
Queen's, Bohemian Rhapsody is my all-time fav! As is anything by Ray LaMontagne!
Danny Kaye (hehe) Isn't he a cutie? I wish he was my dad. Any man who can laugh at himself AND sing is a treasure.
"Sanvean" is haunting.
I could go on.
"But, when those around me react with fear, my strengths shine with brilliant armor in tow, to serve and protect." Excellent. I've always thought of this as just stepping up, you know? But I think you're right and that it's nearly a Knight-In-Shining-Armor complex (or simplex?).
DeleteRegardless, like yourself I love, love, LOVE to save the day. Maybe along the way, we can save the world, Scarlett. Wouldn't that be fabulous? xo
I love this post, it's so true! My two boys are great about looking closely at things. I like to spend time every day looking at the world through there eyes. They can literally spend hours looking at the tiny bugs in our back yard. I struggle more with the concept, so it's nice to take time and re-ground myself. Love the photo!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you love the photo, Frugal! Kids are the best at showing us how to get down and check things out. They're also fabulous at grounding us and have so many things to teach us. I think being open to what we can learn from our children is a sign of a great parent. You sound like an amazing mom to me. Thanks so much for stopping by! :)
DeleteLove this post! I'm definitely a stop-and-smell-the-roses-then-notice-the-shape-of-the-petal-then-look-closer-and-see-small-insects-crawl-around-inside-the-flower kind of guy.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree about inspecting the wrinkles and scars (and loving those wrinkles and scars)that you truly see the beauty in someone's eyes and the beauty of their soul.
Lol! You are truly Awesome, Mr.GG, humorous and poetic. What a combination! :) Thanks for dropping in!
Deleteyour probably right but I don't want to. I want to run away.
ReplyDeleteYeah, sometimes I want to run away, too, Natalie. xo
DeleteI've imagined a desert (dessert? yum) island, a cave in the Andes, and a temple tucked away in the Himalayas.
Yes, I agree...details almost always calm me. Fits well with your name, by the way...details = intricacy:) Hope you're well, IK:)
ReplyDeleteHaha! You're right about my name and "details." And you bring up an interesting point about details being soothing. I guess when you pay attention to those little things, you can see all the aspects (or as many as possible), which is reassuring in a sense. Hope all is well with you, RA. Thanks!
Deletehave u seen "honey I shrunk the kids?" i know its not exactly ur point, but i agree perspective is hugely important... u walk through ur backyard everyday, but imagine u were the size of an ant! it's a totally different world
ReplyDeleteYes, I love that movie! And you're right about perspective. I'd love to be able shrink (and unshrink!) at will. I think it would be amazing. Thanks, Jeremy!
DeleteMy favorite blog line of the day is yours: Getting down," in the non-Jungle Boogie-Kool & The Gang sense, is necessary in life (and in writing). <<<~~Love it, and it's so true.
ReplyDeleteThat makes me feel great! Thanks, Amberr :)
Deletemy husband tells our kids" life is in the details..."
ReplyDeletelove your pictures!
I think your husband is absolutely right! Glad you like the picture :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteKnoty where are you? I've been really worried!
ReplyDelete