Photo Challenge: Beauty In Silence

“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear…” Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi

Photo Challenge: Beauty In Silence

Photo Challenge: Beauty In Silence

Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom. Francis Bacon
Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

What does silence look like to you? For this week’s challenge on the topic of SILENCE, I went back to my favorite spot, at the Hudson River Park, and spent a cold morning there reflecting on the beauty around me… It was the perfect place to capture the quiet that pervaded the place after a snowstorm; it is usually teeming with playing kids, parents with strollers, fast walkers and the occasional jogger. In the warm weather, local teams gather to play sports or hang out with friends. The geese gather too hoping to be fed some food. In the cold winter, the place attracts photographers, meditation enthusiasts and the odd brave kayaker.

“Silence is as deep as eternity, speech a shallow as time.” Thomas Carlyle

Photo Challenge: Beauty In Silence

Photo Challenge: Beauty In Silence

YOUTUBE: Beauty of Silence in Winter

Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure. Henri Nouwen
When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. Ansel Adams

When I arrived at the park, there were a handful of people walking or sitting in their cars chatting. The sun shimmered over the Hudson River which was no longer frozen but was very still. Slowly, the place emptied of walkers and all that remained were the two in cars and the expansive snow covered park. I bundled up and headed out of my car to the edge of the water to get a better look and, soon, I found a pole with a message inscribed on it that seemed apropos for all who visited the park… it said “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in three languages. I shot some video of the quiet park and as the place got colder, I took a quick walk around the park and captured the photos you see in the collage.

More Below!

“I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers.” Khalil Gibran

Photo Challenge: Beauty In Silence

Photo Challenge: Beauty In Silence

Silence is true wisdom’s best reply. Euripides
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls. Mother Teresa

Like a typical Zen koan, I too ask myself what is the sound of silence? Is it the quiet we feel inside when we come across beauty in nature, in art, and in other creative expressions? Is it what the eyes capture that words can never fully articulate? Is it the quiet hum of the universe working out her dilemmas as she tackles the challenges pervading our atmosphere? Who knows… One thing I know for sure is the we experience the profound silence in or entire being and when we sense that silence in nature around us, it resonates deeply and we feel cleansed and healed… for a moment in time. In silence, all things are discovered and revealed.
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post:  – SILENCE –  What does silence look like? Show us your take in a photograph How would you capture silence in a photograph? Is it a positive image like this one, showing a much-needed break? Or is it the opposite, revealing the lack of communication in a friendship or the dangers of not speaking out? Show us your interpretation in a new post.

Positive Motivation Tip: In silence, all things are discovered… and revealed.

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

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