Every so often, I’m fortunate enough to discover a beautiful flowing river while on a photographic adventure…and especially fortunate to arrive upon one during the Fall when the autumn color has reached its peak and the leaves begin to fall along the river’s banks. I love walking along a narrow riverside trail searching for THE GOOD STUFF to photograph…that unique scene where a special rock has landed…safe from the river’s edge…taken up residence long enough that pillowy green moss has taken root around it…and each have extended an inviting home for the yellow, gold and red autumn leaves to land and take a rest. Though some do not, they either land on a hiking trail where they are eventually trodden underneath by snow or foot…or fall into the moving current or the nearby river where they are gently swept away.
This image was just such a scene…one searched for very intentionally and with inspiration to photograph. It is NOT a scene I composed, but rather, one that my Creator did…and when He takes the time to create something as wonderful as this, there’s always a message He wants to communicate with it…and it can take me a long while to observe…listen…and try to understand that message. One recent morning, a good friend helped me by bringing the word CLARITY to mind in her comment, which provided just the inspiration I was searching for to fit along with the search for this scene. I love collaboration!
I believe there are times in our life…not frequent, but often enough…where we, like the colorful autumn leaves, need to intentionally stop, let go, and rest awhile in a safe place…to take inventory of where we are in life…who we have become…who we would like to become…and who we are designed to become. We were conceived in winter…birthed in spring…have lived through various seasons of life…and have learned so much, some of which we might not even be aware of! It’s often good…and healthy…to let go of the life we are currently clinging to, and gently risk falling into a safe “home” which has been prepared for us. Sometimes, it’s a soft green patch of moss or grass…sometimes, it’s the strong and sturdy foundation of a rock. And while we rest…calmly, peacefully, but intentionally…we reflect and take inventory of all THE GOOD STUFF we want to keep and take with us further in life…and identify what negative stuff needs to be thrown into the river and swept away, or tossed onto the trail to be trampled underfoot. We may have accumulated so much bad stuff over the years we aren’t even aware of…bad, even evil attitudes in our mind…critical, even caustic comments about others…and unfortunately, destructive…even painful behavior…in relationships.
The negativity in life needs to be tossed out…thrown out if necessary…and we CAN put a stop to it! But it will require letting go…like the leaf from the tree overhead…having faith and trust that the safe and comforting patch of grass or foundation of stone awaits us…so that YOU have the freedom to determine, resolve and keep all of THE GOOD STUFF…toss or throw as hard as you want to…all that negativity that has accumulated…into the river to be swept away forever…and replaced with a POSITIVE, HEALTHY and RESPECTFUL attitude toward life!