Photo Challenge: ASCEND
“I’ll lift you and you lift me, and we’ll both ascend together.” John Greenleaf Whittier
Photo Challenge: ASCEND
Photo Challenge: ASCEND
Truth cannot be brought down; rather, the individual must make the effort to ascend to it. You cannot bring the mountaintop to the valley. If you would attain to the mountaintop, you must pass through the valley, climb the steeps, unafraid of the dangerous precipices. Jiddu Krishnamurti
ASCEND: It is that time of year where groups of birds forage for last minute seeds then, gathering their collective strength in numbers, they ascend into the sky on their way to warmer climes. They soar into the heavens and we, at least those of us who pay attention to such things, marvel at the brilliance that intuitively tells them the brutal cold of winter is fast approaching and they must leave to stay alive. Some birds stick around; the Cardinals, Blue Jays and winter loving birds and they depend on the generosity of humans who feed them. I feed them and have gotten to capture their presence on my porch but that is not what this exercise is about. It is about ascending. The birds in the shots above are seagulls and they tend to stick it out around our local Sam’s Club… until quite late in the season.
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“O! for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention.” William Shakespeare
Photo Challenge: ASCEND
Photo Challenge: ASCEND
One can ascend to a higher development only by bringing rhythm and repetition into one’s life. Rhythm holds sway in all nature. Rudolf Steiner
The ability to fly high into the sky has always fascinated me. It is one thing birds have over us and, as Icarus learned in an ancient tale, trying to mimic a bird can only lead to disastrous outcomes. So we sit back and admire their intelligent ways of working with the changing seasons and doing what it takes to survive… they’ve got that notion of prescience/intuition down. Wouldn’t you agree?
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: – ASCEND – This week, Show us your interpretation of upward movement.
Positive Motivation Tip: What ascends returns even stronger…
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Such beautiful photos and words to accompany the theme ❤️
Love this theme! It’s such a beautiful word, ascend. It’s not just about flying but also rising up. It can be used in so many things, including rising up to improve your life.
True… and we all rise.
So many beautiful photos of the seagulls ascending. Love your quotes. 🙂
Love the closeness of your beautiful photos. My son, 34 absolutely loves birds. He has had one as a therapy bird almost his entire life. I love their strength yet beauty. I agree with the saying you can’t get to the mountain top without struggling and being persistent. I fear to much to ever reach a high.
I fed them for some time until they got comfortable and then I took photos of them. It took about two hours. 🙂
i love that quote from Rudolf Steiner! I’m the same as you; the thought of flying fascinates me! I’ve always had dreams where i can fly!
These photos are gorgeous! Very impressed.
such awesome photos! I love how you’ve caught the flight of these birds!
This is fab. you really have captured the moment well and have some great bird shots to show for it x
…A real inspiring post that certainly has made me want to ascend to higher levels 🙂 x
I totally agree that rhythm and repetition are key factors for ascension. The word has been on my mind recently . I am happy to see a post about it. Thanks for sharing.
I don’t know if you get any comments and I don’t see you on my blog anymore, which is sad, but I do hope you are well and have a lovely Christmas. You are never forgotten !
Oh Peter, I haven’t forgotten you or our WP friends… life offline got hectic and I’ve been sick with colds and stuff… Will catch up on your blog for sure. Happy Holidays! <3
You are always thought of with the greatest affection and I hope you are cold-free soon 🙂
Yes, dear one. May 2018 bring us all good cheer and better communication… I need to work at it. <3
I like the photos that you picked for the theme, it definitely defines the chosen word for this week. It feels amazing to be able to breeze through and fly!
Doesn’t it?
What beautiful photo captures! While I love what you did with the birds – I definitely couldn’t get close enough to photograph them (they totally freaked me out haha).
I fed them until they got comfortable. 🙂
Beautiful pictures!
I love that you captured so many different points of flight, the wings are so beautiful!
I always marvel to see all the birds that come down to where I live, in the South, and see how they fly in patterns. I always wonder how it would feel to fly in the sky like a bird.
Having the freedom to fly high through the skies is fascinating to me as well. To me ascend always brings to mind rising above and learning to soar no matter the challenge.
Your photos capture their grace and beauty so well. Sadly I don’t often see birds in my current city for most of the year, except during the cooler months, when I awake to their morning song.
Where are you? birds are everywhere… or so I thought. 🙂
These are some beautiful pictures! Almost spiritual in a sense. Love Birds and you showed them so beautifully
The Omnipotence have blessed every different species with different and unique abilities. That can never be attained by the other clan..The unique ability of birds to fly is surely something which is fascinating..
I’ve always been fascinated by birds, too, and have wondered what it would be like to fly on my own. 🙂
Just like you, I have always been fascinated with/by flying. I guess this is one of the reasons why I love riding on airplanes and going places. 🙂
I read this word, “Ascend” and all I can think of is that it is our responsibility as parents not only to give our children their wings but to encourage them to take flight to reach greater heights.
“I’ll lift you and you lift me, and we’ll both ascend together.” What a great quote for couples! Love all the pictures of the seagulls. We have them still hanging around our parking lots too.
Whenever I look at sky and birds, I get instantly inspired. Flying high is definitely one of my all time goals.
I certainly wish it was easier for us to pick up and go when the weather got a little too cold. It is fascinating to me how smart birds are, and that they come and go each year.
These photos of birds are so beautiful and really impressive. You really captured the essence of the beauty of White Christmas. Such a powerful and smart meaning.
Absolutely stunning!! I love the birds and the quote about lifting eachother up
Absolutely stunning! Love the birds and the quote about lifting eachother up
We have a flock of geese at my work that hang out here in Pennsylvania all year long. I love seeing them here and still looking for food, even as there is snow on the ground. Birds are quite amazing creatures!
I really loved reading your posts.. they just make me feel more and more motivated and make me believe in optimism in every situation…
The birds photography is just amazing and quotes which you mentioned too..
Thank you Helene! <3
What a motivational and awesome post. What a smart and meaning full message you brought to all your readers. I really like it.
These photos are a great way to portray your challenge of “ascend”. Do not know if I would have thought of that!
Well, I’ve never been particularly fond of seagulls except that their calling sounds like the sea. You’ve managed to capture their beauty, though. Great quotes in this post! I always enjoy your quotes.
I love the word ascend, it’s actually one of my favorite words. This was a wonderful post and I love your pictures! Your collages are always so beautiful.
Birds can do some amazing things-they can fly, they know when and where to migrate and their nests are masterpieces.These shots are beautiful and the one with the quote “I’ll lift you and you lift me” is my favorite!
I have recently watched a documentary about birds and they survival instincts, and it was fascinating, especially when there are so many predators for them out there. It’s fascinating how they know how to protect themselves and ascent to go to warmer climates.
True. 🙂
Yes it is a wonderful thing, how to never be told to migrate but have a feeling or knowing inside that makes you all flock together to one destination.. there are so many ways of looking at it, both meaningful and also on face value. Either way its a wonderful act of mothernature. I enjoy watching the wildlife in my area immensely.
I look forward to seeing your new posts and I was really touched by this one. I love your photographs of the birds and they brought to mind the fact that we all must ascend past that which weighs our heart and allow ourselves to soar free…
I agree with you, the birds do have a deep intuition and I do admire their intelligent ways of working with the changing season and doing what it takes to survive. Nature is sometimes so mysterious and a great teacher to us humans to be there for each other and support each other so that all can succeed and be safe to survive.
Beautifully said Preet. They remind me of this every day…
I loved the quote of John Greenleaf Whittier and couldn’t agree more with him! We all need to lift and empower others! This is a beauty of life! I also loved your pictures in this challenge. All are great captured indeed!
Ana… so true
Love the way you write content! Its amazing how we overlook such creatures, until posts like this really highlight their beauty!
Oh TY so much Cleo! 🙂
Absolutely breathtaking photography! I think seagulls get too much slack… In my opinion, they’re really beautiful birds. 🙂
We were just recently noticing a flock of gorgeous swans flying south for the winter. (So smart) They are not only gorgeous, but we were fascinated by how they just know the formation, how to be a team, work together, and get where they all need to go.
Exactly… team work rules.
I’ve always been fascinated about the life of birds and always wished that if I could have just one super power it would be to fly because imagine where it could take us if we could fly?!
Love all your inspirational pieces!
H
TY! It’a a great gift
I am really enjoying your photo challenge series.Your ‘Ascend’ images are truely magical.
Yes, birds migrate to other places for survival. Liked the quote in the beginning, it applies to all humans also Lovely pictures.
Ascending to the highest peak you can reach, the words I could mumble after I saw the photos in this post. The way those birds extend their wings and fly is very inspiring and uplifting!
Inspired. 🙂
Great choices of pictures for this theme! I love seeing birds fly I found they so incredible and mesmerizing how organized they are!
Every day I got a strong message reading your article. This really helps me a lot.
It gives me more positive vibes as always.
Glad you enjoy the posts. TY!
wonderful photo challenge about ascend, I vividly remember that series that I’ve been watching while I was on college, It’s about migrating birds. They have this specific season where they ascend together with they group. I do admire the power of those creatures who can soar high and that feeling of invincible.
Yeah, it must be an amazing sense of power and pride
As a child, all I wanted to do was fly :-D. Now that I am an adult, I try to “ascend” by not simply physically getting on a airplane as often as I can, but to hold high thoughts for the good of there. Those who trigger me are extra credit 😀 Blessings and Happy Holidays <3
Happy Holidays to you too!
Oh wow! Absolutely love the shots! Birds are truly magical creatures and they look even more magical during winter time!
Love the quote you have above: “I’ll lift you and you lift me, and we’ll both ascend together.” John Greenleaf Whittier. There’s nothing like supporting one another as we travel life’s path.
I would love to have the wings to fly where I would like to go. Unfortunately, our species can only fly the friendly skies in ametal tube.
Right…? it sure does take us places. 🙂
Birds in the sky often remind me to live freely, and reach for my dreams. Whenever I see a bird freely and happily flying, it reminds me to use my “wings” and travel my journey with glee.
❀ Grace ❀
Yes, we have our symbolic wings…
Yeah it is pretty sweet that birds can fly. I wish I could. I’m sure I’d fly all kinds of places.
These shots are so pretty! What a fun way to share the visuals that you love!
“I’ll lift you and you lift me and we’ll both ascend together” This is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing 🙂
This series of pictures is beautiful! You captured the movement really nicely. Must be quite hard!
Birds are truly fascinating creatures and photos captured their uniqueness very beautifully.
The first time I flew was exciting. Of course, I was nervous at first, thinking of all the worst things that could happen. But if you let go of your fear and just put all your trust in the pilot, the experience is so freeing. This is just the same with everyday life. If we hold on to the things that bind us to the ground, we will never reach those heights that are meant for us.
Good point although I wasn’t thinking of flying in a plane but, I get what you are saying.
I love how peaceful those birds look. These are some lovely photos.
Awesome pictures and quotes as usual. Ascend is a difficult theme to bring to life. Done beautifully. Happy new year.
as usual beautiful pictures and quotes. Ascend is a difficult theme to portray. Happy new year.
I love the beautiful photos and the quote by Jiddu Krishnamurti. I’ve always found birds very interesting. One of my “superpowers” would be to fly.
There was a time in my life when I was sleeping a little better than I do now and I would dream often of birds ascending into the sky. I met a dream interpreter who told me that dreaming of flying birds represented joy, harmony/balance, and love. It meant you had a sunny outlook in life. 🙂
How wonderful! 🙂
I just read Icarus to my son. Flight is an amazing thing, no doubt about it. Nice pics to accompany the topic.
Wow, that first quote is profound. I can relate to it and the meaning behind resonates with me. Thanks for bringing it up x
I love this as well. I would love to fly high into the air. Seems so freeing.
Absolutely true. The birds know instinctively when conditions are not favorable and fly to better surroundings. We also should learn from the birds by doing what it takes to survive and not to mimic others.
Right… they are resilient
I love your blog and beautiful photos. Great inspirational post for me to read on monday! I agree when we help each other we will ascend together!
Thank you for your feedback
Your photos are so nicely taken! I find this concept interesting, plus how you connected the quotes with the choosing of the pictures, even though personally I’m not a fan of seagulls… I just find them rather sneaky and kind of mischievous.
Hahaha. They are very entertaining scavengers
These are not only beautiful photos, I love the visual of ascending towards goals!
My favorite quote is I will lift you and you will lift me and we will ascend together. If only people thought that way for real. We would all climb efficiently without drama. Beautiful!
True… a better world
this is such a great post!! love the pictures
This truly was an uplifting post to read! The photos are lovely and your prose flows so beautifully. I felt that I could ascend with the birds!
Hahaha! That is beautifully said. Thank you!
This would be a fun and easy challenge for me, because I have a pet bird and he is always flying around. 😀 This is a great way to get inspired as well.
One big lessons I’ve learned in watching birds flying – that we can fly as high and as far as we like, but eventually we will return to where we belong.
They are one of the beautiful creatures and I am never get bored watching them.
Likewise. I don’t tire of watching them. We can fly in our minds and with contraptions but the natural gift of flight remains with the birds.
Loving all your photos, you have captured the birds in flight well
Love this concept!! I love the idea of even angels ascending and descending.
Like you, I’ve also always been fascinated by flying. I love travelling by plane, too, and I am fond of birds by any kind.
I notice the birds taking flight yearly. Since we bought our home and its not far from a walking trail that sits parallel to the river we love going on it and finding a nice bench the overlooks and watch the birds take off and dive and ascend back into the air for their long flight south.
That is wonderful! It sounds like a lovely spot.
Do you take all these pictures? They are amazing and fit in so well with the thought of the day.
the white bird, is it dove? looks so pure and nice.. like the ascend..
They are seagulls. I mentioned then on my post.
Great choice of quotes and interesting pairing of photos
Yes, the first thought about human flying also leads to Icarus~ However, aeroplanes and helicopters are also proof of evidence that human can fly too!
I love birds – and watching them fly and land and take off. It is so mesmerizing. Thanks for a great challenge this week and the remind to always rise.
I love the quote about lifting each other that is important in life for growth its sad that some people want to be lifted and not do the same for another person. Loved this post its a great reminder for the New Year!
Thank you! I feel the same way.
Some interesting takes on ascending. I love this word – it’s almost spiritual in nature. To me, it’s always represented humans ability to rise above and become more than what they are.
Birds have always fascinated me for the same reasons too. When I lived in Oklahoma, the birds would always fly away together before a storm… before we even knew a storm was coming. I’ve always found it interesting tat they can sense things even bore our advanced technology pick up on changes (like i our weather systems).
Yes, I am also fascinated by their total dependence on the magic of nature to guide their path…
I love this photo challenge. I often stop to admire the birds soaring into the air.
I always say that there is room for all of us to make it and be successful. I often hear bloggers say ‘this person is copying me’ and so and so, but why not look at it as you inspired someone versus thinking they’re copying you. Life each other up and you can all make it.
I see flocks of geese every day. Its been a while since I’ve seen a seagull. That is what these birds look like.