the great wide open

There have been times when I've got my head and heart so wrapped up in something that I lose sight of everything else. Sometimes it's work related, or I'm focusing on family matters or it can even be just the drudgery of the daily grind that  can keep me down. Whatever the case, some days feel a lot less hopeful then others.

Luckily, there always comes days when with the sun I look up, and out, and past the place I've been and I can see into the great wide open. The place where hope lives and the beauty of possibility lifts my spirits and soothes my soul. Where I am content to be where I am and also energized to move forward. Why wouldn't I be? Look at that place. It's awesome!

Of course, if everyday looked like that, then I wouldn't be nearly as impressed, or spellbound or enchanted by what I see. The contrast of the not-so-great days in comparison to days that look like this make the this so much sweeter.

My guess is you know exactly what I'm talking about. That the darkness makes way for light far more beautiful than any other light you've ever seen. That coming up for air and seeing this stretch out before you feels better than you could have ever remembered. That's the thing about hope and love and beauty. You can only experience it to it's fullest when it's been gone for a while.

As we begin this week, share a image that offers a view of the great wide open, full of possibility! Let's all soak in the goodness of today...and tomorrow.

Comments

[Marcie]

What a beautiful and inspiring post! And - I can think of nothing more uplifting than the great wide open swan's wings:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2012/3/4/swan-dive.html

[rakusribut]

such a great message Tracey, thanks!
made me appreciate my own great wide open spaces all the more
http://exploringwithmycamera.blogspot.com/2012/03/beckoning-space-todays-shutter-sisters.html

[Jess]

I took this nearly a year ago. Winter can be so uninspiring around here, but that day I found it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/5512550329/

[Katie]

I took this photo yesterday. The kite, the infinitely blue sky - both reminders that life is big and wondrous.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamamayi/6809816014/in/photostream

[Kelly Warren]

Stunning photo, Tracey. What type of lens did you use for this? I love the effect.

[Heather]

I know just what you mean. This desert I live in sustains me in so many ways. Here's me feeling that way one beautiful warm day last fall, before things turned cold & dark for the winter again: http://www.flickr.com/photos/heather-cox/6913222211/in/set-72157629409990679

[Gabriela]

Great post and cleared my thoughts this morning before starting the week routine. This picture is of my daughter looking into the ocean:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamaraca/6782760790/in/photostream

[Ai]

Gorgeous light and reflections. I think one of the reasons I love the ocean so much is because it is so open and filled with endless possibilities!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ailovesthis/6589037981/

[Carol Hart]

Lovely writing. This image holds two things for me: the beauty of the day and the promise of tomorrow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/briancarolhart/6811238164/in/photostream

[Michelle (Mamadunk)]

We took a day trip to ski in New Hampshire on the most gorgeous day. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the views were spectacular. A man riding the gondola with us pointed out Mount Washington in the distance......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29333822@N07/6956666953/

[brigid]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ridethewavesoflife/6927688179/in/photostream/lightbox/

I love living in the mountains, but to go to the ocean once a year (no matter how cold) really feeds our soul and changes the outlook on life.

[Baby by the Sea]

My second photo of this post
http://www.babybythesea.net/2012/03/weekending-in-whistler.html
has an attitude changing effect on me. It's my eldest girl, newly amazing on skis with her best bud behind her. We're at Whistler, BC. The top of a ski run always has me light, worries behind and ski poles in front.

[Kim]

I love this reminder to look up from the page. Oh, how I do relate!

I was on a walk with the kids, the dog, and friends when I saw this figure running- seemingly for Angel Island in the background. I fell in love with the figure, the dry clumps of grass, the pattern made by the late sun. To imagine a solo life just for a second, or at least to have a second for myself, to then come back grateful, ready.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9032846@N03/6780343149/in/photostream

Thanks.

[Valerie]

Monday woke me up with a moderate earthquake and me scrambling out of bed to run down a dark hallway to reach my panicky child. After that, we went searching for beauty to find some balance.
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/03/botanical-garden.html

[starrlife]

Exactly why I love to take photos. Here's one.... http://flic.kr/p/9gkSYt