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Weekly Photo Challenge: Tiny Images & Thoughts…

25/05/2011

Human beings are creators, flinging powerful images into the minds of their fellow men. And all of these images are built of tiny particles of thought.” Roy H. Williams

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tiny Images & Thoughts... Tiny fly on a leaf with raindrops.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tiny Images & Thoughts... Tiny yellow buttercup flower and buds

In some circles, it is believed that the universe began with a tiny spark, a spanda, a moment that led to the creation of the planets, earth, life, and all the things we enjoy.  Whether you believe the spark or Big Bang theory, what matters is that in each human heart, in each living thing is a spark that propels us forward to achieve, to live. We all have the beginnings of greatness in us. It starts with a tiny thought, an action, a belief, a passion, and from there all things grow, becoming our reality; who we are meant or destined to be.

“A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching.”  Swami Sivananda Saraswati

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tiny Images & Thoughts... tiny hairs on a leaf and stamen in a purple flower

This photo project was inspiring and thought provoking because it reminded me of the beauty and power of tiny things; the first seedling, the tiny worker ant, a fly perched on a leaf resting before it took flight, the many forms of life unseen, unvarnished, seeking to contribute their part to the whole. It reminded me of the Parable  of The Mustard Seed, the tale of David and Goliath… even Tiny Tim. I added a few shots of the tiniest of things that called my attention. Enjoy them and do share your insights.  My Farewell to Oprah and more below.

“I think that if you keep banging at the door all you need is a little foothold, a little tiny foothold, and then the rest will take care of itself.” Branford Marsalis

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tiny Images & Thoughts... Tiny ant on white paper

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tiny Images & Thoughts... Tiny tortoise clasp (enlarged) on a small jewelrybox

Weekly Photo Challenge: Tiny Images & Thoughts... Tiny stamen and stigma on a white azalea bloom

How often do we stop and take a closer look at the tiny things around us? It is assumed that we see or notice everything; but do we…?  Do we marvel at the tiny hairs on a leaf? the stamen in a flower? the effort of worker ants ferrying food and more from one spot to another..?  All of these things add to the continuum we call life; each a valuable contribution and none more valued than the other. Our tiny sparks light other candles, and Oprah’s life work  has been a testament to that fact.

Dear Oprah,
Thank you for 25 years of wit, wisdom and grace. Over the years, I turned to your wisdom for solace and you didn’t disappoint me. You epitomized the saying, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” You served, you shared and you serenaded us… May your light continue to be a beacon of hope for all.
Today, you said that we all have a calling to fulfill. I agree, but the greater lesson is that you not only answered your calling to greatness, you took that first step; you showed up daily. God is good all the time!
Be blessed,
Elizabeth

I saw Oprah’s final show this evening and what resonated in my heart was that each day she answered her calling, she answered  God’s mighty plan for her by taking that first tiny step. Yes, we are all destined for greatness, but we must first show up; we must then take that first tiny step.  “A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark.” Dante Alighieri  What a revelation this exercise on “Tiny” has been!  And so it is… 🙂
What are your thoughts? What tiny images did you capture this week? Was this week’s photo project easy or hard? Do share?

Positive Motivation Tip: If the universe began with a tiny spark, we all have the beginnings of greatness in us. It starts with a tiny thought. Explore it.

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

33 Comments leave one →
  1. 26/05/2011 12:24 am

    Ah yes, that word “tiny” is far reaching and can be almighty powerful.

    • 26/05/2011 4:39 am

      I hear you and that was my overall experience of this week’s challenge. Tiny is such a huge word… with endless potential. 🙂

  2. 26/05/2011 1:55 am

    The tiny images I captured this week were in my mind, the only camera at hand,,of pup, amd kittens..kitty litter and doggy do..am house sitting for my son and family as they are away at Disney. Nice images.

    • 26/05/2011 4:26 am

      Oh… never too late to add something down the road. TY! 🙂

  3. 26/05/2011 2:38 am

    sometimes my courage is tiny …

    • 26/05/2011 4:26 am

      Mine too… But I love the idea of taking tiny steps. 🙂

  4. 26/05/2011 2:39 am

    I know a (female) photographer (new jersey) who makes photos with the point of view of an aunt, nightly, below a seat in the Manhattan subway

    • 26/05/2011 4:25 am

      Very interesting approach no? I like the idea. 🙂

  5. 26/05/2011 3:35 am

    Such lovely photos. Did you take them?

    • 26/05/2011 4:23 am

      Yes Tilly, I use only my own pictures for the Photo Challenge. For my other posts, I use Wikipedia and some of my stuff… The rules/laws around copyright infringement are such that it doesn’t pay to violate them… 🙂
      TY for liking them!

  6. 26/05/2011 7:36 am

    Great post! I don’t think many of us notice the tiny things that make life so beautiful. Only when they’re not there anymore people start to see it. Too bad really!

    • 28/05/2011 4:33 am

      That is exactly what happens and we are all guilty of it… at least to some degree… I enjoyed this one. 🙂 TY!

  7. 26/05/2011 8:31 am

    Wonderful reminder.

    William Blake – Auguries of Innocence

    To see a world in a grain of sand,
    And a heaven in a wild flower,
    Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
    And eternity in an hour.

    • 28/05/2011 4:34 am

      Thank you Nancy and you reminded me about a post I wrote on the Auguries of Innocence… Using the entire poem too. 🙂

  8. 26/05/2011 8:36 am

    I like your letter to Oprah. She and her show totally changed my life. I’ll be forever grateful for that.

    Love the photos as always Eliz.
    Nice job.

    • 28/05/2011 4:35 am

      Me too… I have benefited from many of the topics she covered on her show… 🙂

  9. 26/05/2011 9:33 am

    These pictures are lovely! That tortoise clasp was the one that really caught my attention. It looks really pretty and pretty interesting.

    • 28/05/2011 4:36 am

      Interesting… It was gift to my daughters from one of the South Korean students who stayed at our home; They were ESL students at EF. 🙂

  10. 26/05/2011 10:25 am

    The very little things seem to be the most important things in life: The phone call to your friend, a moment walking through the city where everything is perfect, a red flower, a line in a book, I like the tiny things in life.

    • 28/05/2011 4:38 am

      You said it BB! When are we getting together again? The weather is warming up… Spice Market? 🙂

  11. 26/05/2011 12:14 pm

    This was another well timed read for me. On the way to my son’s day care this morning, I pointed to a building we were passing on our right and said, “That’s where I got my first glimpse of you!” I drive by it several times a week but forget what that building meant for me a couple of years ago. It was where, 7 weeks into my pregnancy, I saw a tiny half-heart and went, “You’re going to be a little person someday? No way.” Yet from that tiny little half-heart has grown my 30-pound toddler who may still be comparatively small but is also mighty in his discontent! 😀

    • 28/05/2011 4:39 am

      How sweet. TY! I enjoyed that post on L’il D… adorable shot. 🙂

  12. 26/05/2011 2:02 pm

    I love your posts.
    blessings
    jane

  13. 26/05/2011 8:41 pm

    Eliz
    I love this post, its so moving and very thought provoking. The “tiny” thoughts that come into our mind in a lifetime are very unique, as these thoughts begin our journey.

    I really like your words: “We all have the beginnings of greatness in us. It starts with a tiny thought, an action, a belief, a passion and from there all things grow becoming our reality; who we are meant or destined to be.”

    Very true !!!!!!! 🙂

    • 28/05/2011 4:41 am

      Thank you Penny, This week’s photo resonated with me a lot and I enjoyed reflecting on it… Thanks again for your support and kind words. I loved your blog post today. 🙂

  14. InsideJourneys permalink
    26/05/2011 10:45 pm

    Love this! Love the way you weaved in the tiny step that lead to Oprah finding her path in life. Very cool,
    Marcia

    • 28/05/2011 4:42 am

      TY! Marcia! I think I was inspired by the simplicity and quiet wisdom of her final show… She shared tiny nuggets of huge wisdom.

  15. Bree permalink
    27/05/2011 9:44 am

    Great selections and expecially the first shot you took; it is excellent.
    B

    • 28/05/2011 4:45 am

      Thank you and that shot happened so quickly… I was opening the front door when the fly flew by and landed on the leaf. I carry a camera everywhere these days, and I reached for it as I prayed that it would stay there long enough for me to take the shot… It did and I did, then it flew off; the grace of small gifts. 🙂

  16. 27/05/2011 5:40 pm

    Once again, I loved your photos and I love your outlook on the word “tiny”. 🙂

    • 28/05/2011 4:49 am

      Thank you Sharon… I guess we get into it and then some. LOL! I loved your submissions too; especially the little deer.
      I am already thinking of the latest Water… I add my Photo Challenge post on Wednesdays and usually, people have seen so many of them by then; might decide to change my day of the week but not to the first day.
      I really need the extra time to either take some pictures or to dig through my pictures and find suitable ones. 🙂

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