Photo Challenge: Reflecting on Life & Art …
“Everyone and everything that shows up in our life is a reflection of something that is happening inside of us.” Alan Cohen
Photo Challenge: Reflecting on Life & Art …
Photo Challenge: Reflecting on Life & Art … Setting is the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden
The art of a people is a true mirror to their minds. Jawaharlal Nehru
In silence and movement you can show the reflection of people. Marcel Marceau
Our environment, the world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations. Earl Nightingale
How are you creating your life? As I reflected on the selections included in this piece, it got me thinking about the creative process and what prompts us as creative people. Some of us are drawn to music, art, the written word, fashion, sculpture or fine cuisine, while others are drawn to creative schemes that endanger the pockets and lives of others. We reflect what we think, believe and are exposed to so it is wise to be vigilant about the things we pull into our sphere. If you are wondering where the photos I included in this collection came from, they are from the Chihuly Exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). The center photo was taken at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at NYBG. Chihuly’s art has evolved over the years and includes pieces that are as dynamic and complex as the size of the installations. Art allows us to express our fears and joys through our work and gives us a forum to share it with others. Life does the same thing just in a different way… through our communication and interactions with others. We are always in the throes of creating our lives. How do you create your life?
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“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Confucius
Photo Challenge: Reflecting on Life & Art …
Photo Challenge: Reflecting on Life & Art …
Photo Challenge: Reflecting on Life & Art …
Beauty is truth’s smile when she beholds her own face in a perfect mirror. Rabindranath Tagore
Without deep reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people. Albert Einstein
Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful. Margaret J. Wheatley
Are you creating a life you are proud of? Every action we take adds to our treasure box of memories and tools we can use. If we are not careful, they will be added to a Pandora’s box of items that surface in all sorts of ways. What are you adding to yours and how are you creating a narrative of your life on a daily basis?
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Reflecting – This week, Whether it’s water or some other reflective surface, what have you seen recently that has changed your perspective on the view? You can find similar reflections and changes in perspective just about anywhere. From water and glass to metallic surfaces, share a photo that captures something reflected back to you in a way that made you look at your surroundings differently. I look forward to seeing your reflections!
Positive Motivation Tip: May your life be enriched with artistic, creative endeavors
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
That question, am i proud of the life we are leading, is VERY insightful for me since I just started a new career. I hope that I can answer YES to this.
Most of the time I am creating a life I love and trying to do it better every day! I love your inspiration!
Beautiful images. I like to think I’m creating a life I am proud of. For myself and my children.
I am proud of the life I created! It makes me happy to know I made two awesome humans.
I would like to think that I’m creating the life that I wanted. For me, it’s a huge piece of art that we are carefully painting, adding little elements to so that in the end, people can reflect on the painting that we finished and hopefully, it’s as colorful as we’ve always wanted.
Hmm, I don’t know. I just hope I’m doing some good in this world and teaching my boys to have the right values.
Love Chihuly!
janet
These photos are amazing. What camera do you use and are those fireworks or sparklers to create that cool lighting effect? Also this quote at the top of your post is one of my favorites — “Everyone and everything that shows up in our life is a reflection of something that is happening inside of us.” Alan Cohen
Beautifully written! I feel like it is so easy to get caught up in life and go into auto mode that we forget to do the things we love and that make us feel alive like art and writing. At the end of the day, this is the life we created, and we need to remember to fill it with the things we enjoy not just what we have to do.
We love Chihuly! His museum at Seattle Center is fabulous! I love how whimsical yet sophisticated his work is.
Great post. I have heard the saying before, everything outside of us is a true reflection of what is inside of us. This is true of the good, of which art is one, and the bad.
So does life imitate art or does art imitate life? I can never decide. Love this post and your reflections – and of course the photographs! I’ve always wanted to take part in a reflective photography challenge x
Three years ago I wasn’t leading the life I wanted and then I got fired. It was the best thing for me creatively. I am so glad you share the quote by Alan Cohen, it’s what I needed to hear today. It’s hard to make changes but sometimes they are for the right reasons. I love love the picture with the light lines? Not sure how to describe it but it looks really neat.
I could work on ways I’m creating my life. I love taking photos of my journey called life but have been slacking in that lately.
I love the photos you have included here! I always wished I was more artsy growing up. My grandfather could write and paint and it was amazing. Although I can’t draw and don’t have an eye for photography, I enjoy writing so I like to think I got that from grandpa.
I like to think I am making a life I am proud of. I am definitely a work in progress lol.
I love those words from Confucius – very powerful. Reflecting on life is so important, we need to make sure that we really want everything that’s happening right now..
Currently celebrating life by traveling and visiting places that I have never been to before. That includes museums, art galleries, and exhibitions. 🙂
I love this post! I do agree that what surrounds us plays into who we are and how we interact with the world shapes us in ways we don’t even realize. I try my best to be inspired by my surroundings and if I’m not, I change the environment I’m in. I make it my duty to make sure my home inspires me to create daily. I’m naturally drawn to fashion and crafts and diy’s so I’ve created a space that accommodates for all of that. I love it!
I would love to take a photo challenge like this! It would be so nice to take a moment and reflect on the beauty around us every day.
What an interesting photo challenge. It really does make you think about how your life is reflected in what you do and what you create around you.
You’re right! I love that quote. We DO tend to gravitate towards people who fit the way we’re feeling at each point in our life.
This art is so gorgeous. Great photos. I feel like I’m creating a life I’m proud of, but I can always do better.
I am creating a life I am proud of. I just love all these photos. So gorgeous.
I love photo challenges. They encourage me to go in and seek the beauty in life and in the things surrounding me. <3
Looking at art for me is like reflecting on one’s life. A painting or a sculpture does not outwardly display the artist’s emotions so we have to look long and hard on the art piece and think carefully about what the artist wanted to convey. Exactly the way we should deal with life’s decisions.
The photos are so amazing! It’s so calming in a way that I stared at it for a long time. It is important to be creative in life, and add beautiful memories everyday.
You made me think deep about your word prompt. Reflecting on my life, I feel I have not accomplished much and it pains me. If my life were to be a painting, it would be a shapeless, colorless blob.
It really is so important to take time frequently to reflect on our life and the choices that we make. We need to evaluate whether the actions we are taking and the choices we make are leading us to where we want to be and if we are creating the life we want to live.
Love the quote by Rabindranath Tagore. I am pretty sure I have used this quote on an instagram before. Your images are gorgeous. I do not know that these red spikes are but they are beautiful!
Your photos are absolutely beautiful! The reflection on the water is particularly amazing!
Wow, what beautiful photos. I didn’t even know what Chihuly was until we went to the childrens museum in Indiana. Such beauty in his pieces.
Such amazing photos- I love the artistic view- the beauty of life that surrounds us.
Such fascinating art work. Art is such a great way to express ourselves in ways that we can’t otherwise. Our lives are works of art, and every day is a chance to create a masterpiece.
Love the sentiment on 3 ways of learning wisdom – eventually, it’s up to us to pick which way we find learning.
What beautiful artwork. I really like that piece that’s in the pond there that’s really cool looking. I wish I had some of his works in the city I live in to go check them out .
I love how you made this artistic expression as a display of reflection. I think you captured the meaning you were trying to convey beautifully.
I’m proud of the life I’m creating and I think it’s a work in progress. I’m most proud of my two boys. Being a Mom makes me happy.
Wow, these are awesome photos!
Very insightful and much to think about! I love all your questions. I’d love to answer you, but I think it’s gonna take me some time!
I create my life through creativity. If I can’t express my creative side I become incredibly anxious and annoyed. I’ve learned to keep creating no matter what it is and I’m so much more happy.
My eyes have light sensitivity but I do love looking at photos with playful take on lights. I love the question that you put there if we are creating a life that we are proud of. It makes me think about my life and how each meaningful light guide me in my life decisions.
These photos are so beautiful and inspiring! I feel like I need to get off my lazy butt and go out and see the world! 🙂
Whenever i see art installation in my city, i couldn’t help but pause for a minute or two just to appreciate it more. Each artists gave their best not only for the sake of art, byt also to give delight to others.
And these helps the viewers reflect on their lives.
Very inspiring and thought provoking Elizabeth. Your question really got me thinking about what I’m reflecting back onto other people and how their own reflections can change the way I perceive them. It’s something I’ll be pondering in the back of my head for a while.
This is another good post reminding me I need to reflect on my life, slow down and enjoy. Reflection, imitation and experience, I’ll remember these 3.
This is such a nice read and i really like how you connected the art bit with what lies inside people, in their minds and head. Lovely read.
Kasturi
Beautiful photos. This look really interesting and I love the red spike. xx
this is really interesting topic! this quote “Everyone and everything that shows up in our life is a reflection of something that is happening inside of us.” Alan Cohen really reflects on me!
I am quite happy creating a simple life for myself. I am no longer in need of the expensive materials in order to live day by day.
These photos are stunning! What a cool idea for a photo challenge!
I think blogging is a form of art because it is also a venue to express our fears and joys. This is how i express myself. This is my art
I really liked that piece with the red spikes coming out of the logs in the water! I have been actually thinking about how art reflects into life and your photos are very thought provoking.
I love playing with reflections in my photography, especially in nature with lakes 🙂
Those pictures are so beautiful. I think creativity and the ability to be creative is so important. As for what I am creating, I would say that this and opportunities for my daughter. That’s really what I am looking towards.
I’ve always heard that life imitates art, and vice versa. When reflecting on life and where it’s taken me, I always look back at what someone once told me: “We write to cheat death, for so we live on through our words.”
That’s why I’m proud of what do, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I’ve started getting into photography and need to spend more time creating the life I want. This idea is interesting.
I always love your photo challenges. You find such neat things to go with the theme. I love that last picture, with the red poles (sticks?) sticking out of the wood. It’s gorgeous!
I love all this art. I especially love the photos at night. It makes the reflections even more interesting.
These pictures are so pretty! I love all these questions, very important to ask ourselves.
This is a very deep post. Reflections are about learning, wisdom & experience. Thank you for a great discussion.
When I was in Paris, there’s this beautiful picture of woman and her 5 kids.They obviously look poor but it was photographed like they have the best life in the world, Their laughter in the picture was contagious. it was just a beautiful and impactful photograph.
You got some great pictures. I wish I could get my camera to take good night shots!
The New York Botanical Gardens photo is gorgeous! Thanks for the great inspiration for photography.
Wonderful images. Just when reading that first quote, I had to reflect on my own experiences and what’s been brought into my life!
I love your photos! They are all lovely. I believe that the photos we take also reflects the personality that we have.
I think it’s important to reflect and see what kind of life we’re building for ourselves and whether we’re happy with it or not. It’s really nice to be able to do that. I think these photos are amazing!
We strive to continue to create a life we are proud of. Especially as a mom trying to reflect good for our children.
I agree with you! But also, let’s not forget that for many (even famous) artists, the creative artistic process was a kind of gateway from the miserable/harsh/unfair lives they were carrying. Some of the most celebrated works of art were done by very unhappy people. So there’s that.
Se manifique! epic photo journal & descriptions. I love this concept. The pictures are also stunning, really captures the moment
Reflecting is something I’ve had to constantly do recently to help myself. I’ve always been one to be haphazard and hope things go away if I ignore them long enough. I try not to gloat even when I’m tempted to. I only pray that each reflection shows growth and progress from the last time
What beautiful images! I love the idea of this photo challenge. I especially love the one with the red sculpture over the pool. The red is so striking!
I love the Alan Cohen quote at the top. I’m working hard to create a life I’m proud of rather than living on autopilot. It takes practice.
These are some beautiful photos, and a photo challenge sounds like a lot of fun!
What an amazing topic for sure. I think creating a life I’m proud of definitely happens when I’m walking towards conquering my dreams. It fills me with such zest.
This is a really informative post. The pictures are great. I didn’t know this post about Confucius but it makes so much sense and gives another perspective. What I am adding to my life to be proud of it? I don’t really know. I tend to take things as they come… spontaneity has always been my thing even though planning starts to be needed! xx corinne
What matters is what works best for you… Glad you enjoyed the post.
You always have the best photos to accompany your message! I’m thankful my kids see that I am providing a life that will possibly put them in the best position to succeed in life. I try to instill that I can only do so much…that once my job is done, it will then be up to them.
We do the best we can! 🙂
Photography is often a wonderful vehicle for being reflective. It allows you to view the world or the subject you are photographing through a different lens.
True… that is one of the reasons I love it.
I love the idea of reflection. I also love trying to photograph reflections. I’m not very good at it though.
It takes time… but keep trying
Great post! All of your photos look amazing!
So many beautiful photos! We just moved out of Manhattan for the suburbs and reading this post really made me reflect on my time in the city.
I love the life I’m creating!! Once you start focusing on the important things in life, life will all come together:)
These pictures are all so beautiful and amazing!! Makes me feel like I am on vacation by just sitting and looking at these photos! Thanks for sharing
Oh my gosh – what beautiful photos! I just needed something like this today too – perfect timing! LOVELY!
I am a longtime Chihuly fan. His work inspires me so much!
These pictures are beautiful! I love how you incorporated them into emotions and how to better oneself.
I am constantly considering whether or not I’m creating a life I
m proud of. I like to think that for all of the bad going into Pandora’s box, there is something equally as good going in as well at some point.
Coincidentally, I went to a water park last week, when I saw my kids played in the water, it reminds me of my childhood when I was so carefree. How I missed being carefree nowadays.
Your photos always look so amazing and inspiring.