Photo Challenge: Our Place In the World
“Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place – that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realize a great life.” A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Photo Challenge: Our Place In the World
It is nice finding that place where you can just go and relax. Moises Arias
Be kind, don’t judge, and have respect for others. If we can all do this, the world would be a better place. The point is to teach this to the next generation. Jasmine Guinness
Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative place where no one else has ever been. Alan Alda
The more I thought about this week’s theme, Place in the World, the more I felt it was not one particular destination but the many parts that make up the whole. We are made up of our multifaceted experiences, and those inform our place in the world…. it is a lifelong journey that evolves over time. It changes, it flourishes, it stagnates, it withers away… we all play our role and impact each other’s lives with our actions. I’m sharing a mixture of collages that speak to that global connection we all share. Even my collage of collages is incomplete. There are aspects of my place in this world that I did not include, so should I create yet another collage within a collage to include food, music, fitness, and friendships?
What about my love of the written word and my inner life? We can only show so much; the rest can be inferred or left to the imagination. It is very much like life itself. We pick up pieces here and there, discard a few along the way, or swap them for shiny new objects or relationships that grow or die. The rebel in us might venture from the straight and narrow road for a long walk off the beaten path. Along the way, we might find love and laughter or languish in the debris of our stalled or broken dreams. Yes, our place in the world includes all of the above … and more. Wherever you believe you belong, the journey begins within.
My Place, Your Place, Our Place. – Poem by Shannon Nicole
Imagining a perfect world,
No rules, no mistakes.
Just everything we want,
All laid out and pretty.
No one hates in this perfect world,
Only likeable, friendly peers.
If only there was this secret place,
To set up this imaginary place.
If only there was a group of positives,
That would help create this new experience.
If only we could be those likeable, friendly people,
Then maybe we could live in that perfect world.
“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” Camille Pissarro
Photo Challenge: Our Place In the World
The planet is a vast and beautiful place, full of exciting and wonderful people. Ashlan Gorse Cousteau
I have the same feeling when I walk in a very beautiful place that I have when I play and it goes right. Jacqueline du Pre
And, obviously, as one who likes to travel around myself a lot, I think the Earth is a beautiful place. And, I’m looking forward to some new perspectives. Duane G. Carey
Each of us occupies a unique place in this world, and we matter to someone. While we might not all be celebrities with fantastic lives or clout chase to become “relevant,” our place in this world has value. I just learned clout chase from someone I admire for their upbeat energy and creativity. The artist, half of a popular hip-hop/rap duo, was saying that he didn’t need to chase after certain in-crowd or “the right” people to matter. I agree with that observation as we all bring something of value, in small and large ways, to this planet. As I gathered my photos to create collages of facets of my life, I was reminded of a song I used to play a lot when it came out. It’s Jill Scott’s A Long Walk. The video shows her walking through her Philly neighborhood as she sings about bonding in a special relationship.
The song A Long Walk resonates well with this topic because we also find our place in our relationships and with our loved ones. We find our place in the long walk we take through life. It is not linear. It meanders, it veers off course, it hits the tarmac at full speed, and it settles into a familiar rhythm as we journey through. As Rumi points out below, we are all guests here, and welcoming/serving/supporting each other is a fundamental part of being human and alive. I’m sharing the video in this post and the lyrics at the bottom of the post page, just before my credits. Enjoy it, and may your journey be rich with adventure and delightful moments.
The Guest House by Jalaluddin Rumi
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning, a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
Who violently sweeps your house
Empty of its furniture,
Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
For some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
Meet them at the door laughing,
And invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
Because each has been sent,
As a guide from beyond.
More Below
If you are in a beautiful place where you can enjoy sunrise and sunset, then you are living like a lord. Nathan Phillips
Photo Challenge: Our Place In the World
Photo Challenge: Our Place In the World
Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. Jim Rohn
When you leave a beautiful place, you carry it with you wherever you go. Alexandra Stoddard
Try to leave the Earth a better place than when you arrived. Sidney Sheldon
Where is your place in this world? What is your narrative, and how does it translate into the life you are currently living? It’s amazing how life propels us forward even as we protest to maintain the status quo. I started this post on the 9th (the anniversary of my father’s death). I paused, got caught up in other drama, and returned to see that I had written gibberish while half asleep. Deleted some of it, amended the rest, and now I am working on completing the post. It is just like the story of our lives; we experience ups and downs, turnarounds, and all sorts of convoluted detours along the way. Some lead us back to our purpose while others might lead us astray.
No matter where we begin, our final destination remains a mystery of sorts. Sure, we set and achieve goals, but life is much more than our goals. I’m still working on my collage within a collage to include music and food… who knows what else will demand to be included. I’ll upload it when ready. In the meantime, we end up where we are supposed to meet with our agreed-upon destiny; just like the character in The Appointment in Samarra, our path to our place in the world culminates in our version of Samarra. You don’t have to agree with me… What is your narrative? Where do you belong? We are more than our current destination.
Our House by Sophie Cabot Black
As the leaves turn their backs on us
And the lilac gives over to dusk, nothing
Is ever certain, not even the house, stubborn
In twilight as it outlasts the grove
It was wrestled from. Those left behind,
The oak and ancient elm lean against each other
As if in consent. Out of dirt, out of
Some small mistake comes the seedling;
It too has learned to watch, as we walk in and out
Of what wilderness was, and will again become,
As we enter our home, the way we enter love
Returning from elsewhere to call out
Each other’s names, pulling the door closed behind us.
A Long Walk by Jill Scott
You’re here, I’m pleased
I really dig your company
Your style, your smile, your peace mentality
Lord, have mercy on me
I was blind, now I can see
What a king’s supposed to be
Baby, I feel free, come on and go with me
Let’s take a long walk around the park after dark
Find a spot for us to spark
Conversation, verbal elation, stimulation
Share our situations, temptations, education, relaxations
Elevations, maybe we can talk about Surah 31:18
Your background it ain’t squeaky clean (shit)
Sometimes we all got to swim upstream
You ain’t no saint, we all are sinners
But you put your good foot down and make your soul a winner
I respect that, man, you’re so phat
And you’re all that, plus supreme
Then you’re humble man, I’m numb
Yo with feeling, I can feel everything that you bring
Let’s take a long walk around the park after dark
Find a spot for us to spark
Conversation, verbal elation, stimulation
Share our situations, temptations, education, relaxations
Elevations, maybe we can talk about Revelation 3:17
Or maybe we can see a movie
Or maybe we can see a play on Saturday (Saturday)
Or maybe we can roll a tree, feel the breeze, and listen to a symphony
Or maybe chill and just be, or maybe
Maybe we can take a cruise and listen to the Roots, or maybe eat some passion fruit
Or maybe cry to the blues
Or maybe we could just be silent
Come on, Come on
Let’s take a long walk around the park after dark
Find a spot for us to spark
Conversation, verbal elation, stimulation
Share our situations, temptations, education, relaxations
Elevations, maybe we can talk about something entirely
Or maybe we can see a movie
Or maybe we can see a play on Saturday (Saturday)
Or maybe we can roll a tree, feel the breeze, and listen to a symphony
Or maybe chill and just be, or maybe
Maybe we can take a cruise and listen to the Roots, or maybe eat some passion fruit
Or maybe cry to the blues
Or maybe we could just be silent
Come on, Come on
Let’s take a long walk around the park after dark
Find a spot for us to spark
Conversation, verbal elation, stimulation
Share our situations, temptations, education, relaxations
Elevations, maybe baby, maybe we can save the nation
Come on, Come on
Songwriters: Andre Harris / Jill H. Scott
A Long Walk lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: – Place In the World – For this week’s photo challenge, explore what it means to find your place in the world. Where’s your safe space? Where do you go when you need to feel inspired or cheered up? Do you prefer to feel cozy and comforted in a smaller town or do you thrive on the buzz of a big city? If landscapes aren’t your thing, you can even explore portraits by playing with scale or fashion. Let loose and give us a glimpse of who you are in the grand scheme of things.
Positive Motivation Tip: Wherever you believe you belong, the journey begins within.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
I love your pictures! The places and the outfits are gorgeous. Our house by Sophie Cabot Black is perfect for this post 🙂 she stood out to me with her work, very detailed
This is such a lovely post which really makes us stop to appreciate the beauty around us every day. I particularly love the poem by Shannon Nicole.
There are some beautiful poems right here! I have never been good at poetry so I admire those who can write it so beautifully. For me Home Is wherever my family are!
I love this quote “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.” Camille Pissarro! I try to see the beauty in everything.
I firmly believe in creating and living in my place in world. Not in term of a place as house of brick mortar. A place for me is the stage when my innerself feels fulfilled. And currently I am living that stage, truly. Accomplishing my goal of life. Living in miraculous joy where even if I die tomorrow I will die fulfilled with smile on lips.
I totally agree that it’s not just one destination that makes each of us, I would connect a few different places to my place in the world x
love your post , great way to share what you see in and around you
Good choice of poems and photos for this theme. I got a new camera, and have been trying to figure out a how to work in a photo challenge type blog post into my own blog. I love how you do yours!
I love to explore small town rather than big cities, I like the serenity of a small town. I love to watch what the people doing on the daily basis and also watch the animals in the fields if there is any. I feel cozy and very contented when seeing such scene.
Wow I love this! I love how you mentioned everyone has a unique place and matters to someone. It’s so easy to feel less than others when you’re not rich and famous..
I agree with your idea Elizabeth! our place in the world is in fact a collage made of collages. I think like you that we ARE right now the product of all our past decisions. My place right now is the sum of all the places I’ve been before, without which nothing would be the same.
Beautiful and meaningful post as always my friend. I think in every day life we can often forget the value of our place in the world – like you say, comparing to celebrities or even those around us but we are all incredibly rich for all we have in our lives.
A wonderful compilation of photos and songs. Thanks for sharing!
My safe place isn’t a particular place, it’s when I play my favorite music and read my favorite book. I go to that place in the book and that makes me happy.
I am a portrait photographer and I love these photo inspirations!!
Thank you for including a quote by Pissarro. He’s one of my favorite impressionist artists.
This is really amazing! We are all different but all the same in a sense and it’s amazing to explore
It was only a few weeks ago, I stopped to think about my life and how unique each of us are. There isn’t another person in the world who will have the exact same lifestyle as us. I also reflected on how small our problems actually are in comparison to what others face on a day-to-day basis.
I love the photos in the collage. I love Paris because it reminds me of my hard work and resilience.
I love how you mixed in all these inspiring thought-provoking quotes in with your photo galleries!
Lots to reflect on in this post! I travel and move quite a bit and as I neared 30, I asked myself that question of where do I see my place in the world. I’ve realized now that’s wherever God wants me and as long as I’m doing that I am beyond happy and content.
Thank you for sharing. I found myself looking at the pictures! Also enjoyed the songs.
I’m not sure where my place in life or places are, although, I do know that this here existence isn’t it. I can not leave this life by giving up in this bed I have to do what it takes to get me involved with my own life again. The first step is a physical one I just have to push myself. No one can do it for me though some have tried with their judgement. Thanks for this enlightening post!
Interesting mix of elements, poetry, images, and even a song in there. Everything but the kitchen sink. Very unique.
I think we’re all here for a reason. We don’t have to be famous celebrities to make a difference in someone’s life. We all have a purpose in this world and that’s what makes life beautiful!
Oh my! I just love the beautiful poems; perfect depiction of your collages. And I’m not forgetting about the amazing quotes. “Blessed are those who see beautiful things where others see nothing.’ That also refers to our journey and dreams; while others don’t see our fights worth it, we do! And believing in ourselves is the best present we can give ourselves,right?
Wow, I love the photo selection. There are truly a beautiful place in thi world.
I prefer the laidback countryside living over the hustle and bustle in a big city. The air is a lot cleaner here, too, and there’s less traffic. 🙂
This is such a great reminder! Thank you for putting this into words so perfectly.
Our place in the world… I have been thinking a lot about this, being at home somewhere, not feeling at home at any place. I think that you can only find your own true place when you are truly yourself, when you are at peace with yourself. Then no matter where you are, you are at home. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! This was a pleasant and thought-provoking read.
What a great challenge! And I love the tall, thin one where there is the path and the greenery. So pretty. What a fun collection. 🙂
Each quote you includedeay hit me! Been thinking about them the whole day and have even written some on my planner.
I LOVE the lyrics of A Long Walk. They’re beautiful!
All of these photos are beautiful! It is an interesting point you bring up. And it’s great that you are calling attention to it!
This is such a beautiful written and thought provoking post. It has me pondering my place in the world. What would I use to show others my place? I’m not sure, there are so many things that come to mind, it would be hard to narrow it down. The photos that you used to capture your place in the world are beautiful.
I really enjoy viewing the works of Pissarro, a French impressionist you quoted. Thanks for your post.
It is such a great remainder and attitude to have in life! So important to never give up and keep working towards our goals.
This is a great them – Place in the World. All the pictures are amazing too and I liked the quotes throughout the post, each of them is inspirational 🙂
That’s always been my motto in life! Indeed, we need to fight and we will persevere. What is important is never giving up! As Winston Churchill said “If you’re going through hell, keep going” P.S. Loved the song, thanks for sharing!
While we’re not supposed to expect the world to spin for us, each one of us matter in the daily natural cycle of life. And it’s true, we might not know where we end up in the future but we can control some parts of it to an extent.
I really enjoy all of your photos and words, they are inspirational. This makes me think, what is my purpose. Where do I believe in the world. What is my place. All questions I shall ponder more on now.
Our place in this life absolutely has value, for each and every person, no matter what age, culture, or status. This is so well written and moving. We are all of unsurpassable worth 🙂
We all have a purpose or a place in this world. It took me some time to realize that but the impact that we have on the people in ourlives, that’s partof our purpose. This post isvery enlightening.
This is incredible . I would love to see every single place in the collage . I love traveling and the world has so many places to see I think life won’t be enough for me .
Truly gems to live by. A long walk is actually one if my favorite songs. The words are quite simple but the message is a great one. My place in the world is still being defined but I love how I am now meditating on this and I hope to make that clearer to myself as time passes.
What a great story to reflect on. As I was reading through your post, I was mentally going through my photos, and which ones I would choose to summarize my life. Your post reminded me of a quote I heard in a Podcast that was made at a man’s funeral: “He didn’t live an extraordinary life, but he lived an ordinary life extraordinarily.” This is what I strive for in my everyday life.
What a beautiful challenge, thank you for sharing. The Jim Rohn quote is very true, too –– I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. It’s important to take care because we’ve only got one life.
I know who I am, I know why I am here, I know where I am going. Good to know these things in todays world.
I agree with you. The world is like a collage of different people in different places and somehow manage to make a connection to other people. You now become someone that matters to them.
Excellent food for thought! Thank you for sharing with us!
This is really a beautiful post! Love the idea behind it and the poems for each section really grab at your heart.
Wow! All these are your photos! I envy your travels. haha If only I can afford it Lovely realizations about life. 😀
We all have some purpose in life. We have to find what we are meant to do. I thrive off of a city vibe with fun and energetic people. It brings joy into my life and spirit.
Yes, our choices certainly do matter. What we choose shapes us for better or for worse.
This is such a powerful post, you have a knack for talking about some of the most profound and deep things in life, I love that. I have gained a ton of insight from reading your blog. I do agree with you, life is a mystery our final destination is not known, as a matter of fact our feeble goals do little to get in the way of life. So much can happen in the blink of any eye, your world can change dramatically in an instant, the world is in so much order and chaos at the same time. Its best to enjoy the simple things, live in the present and appreciate the good mourn the bad, and live on. Most importantly touch the lives of others in any positibe way we can. Our stay here is finite, so we must make the best of it. Once again insightful as always. Looking forward to future posts.
I love this song, the lyrics and beat. It is so easy going.
Nailil
These are beautiful songs and poems. You are right, we all have a place and purpose in this world, especially those that love and want/need us here!
A beautiful read and beautiful pictures. You posts always make me stop and think!
I gave this a lot of thought myself in a blog I wrote about “home”. I really love the poem by Rumi. I am reminded of another great writing by Shunryu Suzuki.
Leave your front door and your back door open.
Allow your thoughts to come and go.
Just don’t serve them tea.
Such an interesting topic to reflect on. It is so narrow because your perception of this answer is so limited to your current reality. This has changed for me so much throughout the years, and almost always for the better.
I always wanted to take part in one of these challenges but never found the discipline to do so. Great photos and poems!
I only felt a true sense of belonging anywhere and everywhere when I embraced who I truly was with all my lovable flaws.The best thing about getting older is when you dont give a damn about what people think and then you begin to truly be happy with who you are and who you are not. Then you really find your place in this world.
We all have that special and individual place in the world while browsing through the photos you have shared I just felt like where we began our journey( as in born) and now where we are living and raising our kids holds a special place.
What a cool topic to discuss. It has definitely made me pause and think about my place in the world, which I’ve never really considered before. I think a big part of my place is with my loved ones – they are the most important people to me and my biggest goal is to take care of them as best I can. =D
WOW you are a great writer! “many parts that make up the whole” is so accurate !
I agree, home is a feeling inside, not a certain geographical place. There are so many places where I feel that I belong because of different parts of my life . . . it’s awesome to have so many “homes!”
I love the poems that you included in this post. Finding your place in the world can be so uplifting. -Tonya Tardiff
Travelling is great, definitely opens up your eyes
Very nice challenge. My favourite place to be in the world, whenever I want to be cheered up would be the beach . I just feel at peace there.
Another great selection of poems and positivity! I love how happy your posts and images make me feel.
Love the quote at the top. Ww should never stop fighting to have the life we truly deserve. The life that would make us happy.
Love the beauty of this poem. i used to write poems when I was younger, I don’t know what happened.
We do evolve. Our experiences and journey change us for the good or for the bad. Great article!
Nice read. Thanks for sharing
Wherever you believe you belong, the journey begins within.That’s a powerful line. My faith plays the biggest role in my self discovery. I think sometimes people put too much emphasis on what is my place in the world. To me you’re already here so you’re occupying your place. There’s a destiny in place for each of us and through positive thinking and faith you’ll be lead down the path you’re suppose to be on.
You are right. Everyone does occupy an unique and unreplaceable place in this world. Everyone has a role to play. We are all travellers on a mysterious & unknown destination called life!
I would have to agree that it is such a wonderful experience and a blessing to be able to see the positive and goodness when other cannot. This is one of my ultimate goals in life. To see beauty despite the adversaries.
We are guest houses…interesting. A new guest (emotion) every day. True. I’ve never thought of it that way.
Some great images here. Thinking about our place in the world is so important and I truly think that I belong where I am x
Lovely compilation… the mosaics take on a journey through the world.
My place here in this world stands where i feel positive . Alot fannbe achieved with a positive mind and yes thats the drive for me.
Yes, it’s not a destination for me but where I am in life and what I am doing about it. Nice to reflect on something like that. We get to think about what we are doing to improve the world in whatever way we can.
As always, such a beautiful article to read and look at! We are so global today than ever before and it is always a collection if places that defines our place in this world. I was born somewhere, studied somewhere else and now living somewhere else, soaking up all this world has to offer.