Self reflection is a beautiful gift which can help to ground us in our own reality. By pausing and wondering for just long enough our minds can become beautifully smooth, like the surface of a perfectly still pool, and we can make out our own faces and hearts shining back at us.
The tendency is of course to keep going, to strive forwards towards an imagined goal, a goal which will bring fulfilment….but of course we never actually reach the goal. It teases us, always leading us on into the perfect future, like a rainbows end. Pausing and reflecting on how things actually are in this moment will release us from the eternal hunger of imagined future happiness. That happiness is here already, smiling back at us from the reflected depths of our souls.
The true magic mirror lies within each of us, allowing us to see our own beautiful truths. Enjoy today and yourself just as you are, because that’s already enough and brimming over with infinite beauty.
Take a look at more reflections at the WP Weekly Photo Challenge.
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Reblogged this on The Wilderness Pharmacist and commented:
Reminds me of the story of the Ugly Duckling that turned into a beautiful: “Swain Lake”
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Wise words and stunning photo, Seonaid!
Stunning image Seonaid, and beautiful words.
Perfect beauty in the swan, the photo, the light and the water. And the wisdom coming with your words. Perfect.
So serene, but paddling furiously underneath. Like many of us, sadly. Lovely post.
The light in this image is stunning!
Wow – stunning shot! And yes, self-reflection is good – even if uncomfortable sometimes when faced with our own truths.
The swan Narcissus? Lovely photo and perfect for the challenge. But I always enjoy your photos.
janet
A truly wonderful photo. You are very gifted. Your words are inspirational. Thank you.
Your photo is so lovely, it’s like a painting. And your words are great as well. But it’s very difficult to be like that, living in the moment, being happy in the moment. Sadly only few people live this way.
That’s as magical an image of a swan as I ever saw, Seonaid! And you’re right- always reaching for tomorrow doesn’t enhance today. Sometimes I can’t see the wood for the trees. 🙂
SO beautiful!
This is beautiful 🙂
That’s so beautiful
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Reblogged this on Lavender Turquois.
Reblogged this on l i g h t w r i t e r s.
So wise… “that happiness is here already.” I read somewhere, & wish I had noted the author along with the observation: “The way to get what you want, is to want what you have.” The idea is to live with gratitude not greed, isn’t it.
That’s is in a nutshell Penny…gratitude not greed…perfectly put 🙂
Always willing to support those engaged in self reflection. Just referred to this post of yours in my latest on ‘cold anger’. 🙂
Simon, thanks for the mention. Self reflection can be hard work, but it’s always worthwhile 🙂
Beautiful photo and such true words. Beautiful swan, too! Thank you, Seonaid.
Delighted to share….it was a magical moment watching the swans wake up into the rising sun 🙂
Such calm serenity in your words and your swan is very dreamy … a lovely way to begin the week Seonaid …
My pleasure to share Poppy….dreamy sounds good 🙂
Beautiul, the light, the colours…….🍀
Thanks Mick, it was a very beautiful winters morning…. The backlight was such a gift 🙂
I can see, as I said, perfect light…..
Super!
Thanks….lovely to see your smiling face 🙂
Thanks Seonaid, I’ll try to keep your wise words in mind today.
I’ll be trying to do the same thing Gilly….not always easy but it does improve the day beyond measure when I manage 🙂
Absolutely wonderful capture Seonaid, and love your thoughts as well. You definitely made the most of this week’s challenge!
Tina, I had some other shots of oak trees reflected in a rippled pool which I was going to use, but then I came across this one which I took back in January and knew I had to use it…..perfect for reflections 🙂
Beautiful colors in this reflection:)
Eric I was very lucky with the colours and light of the rising sun on a perfectly still morning. It made the swans glow from within 🙂
Truly a beautiful post, it’s filled with wisdom!
Thanks Amy, and if I can just keep remembering it today will be another beautiful day 🙂
that is a Dream swan…a Dream
The whole early morning visit to this beautiful swan filled loch felt like a dream…..I was enchanted by the light on the water before the swans even woke up 🙂
Lovely.
Thanks John, I was going to write some poetic silky satin verse….but then the reflection says it all really 🙂
Stunning!
I love this photograph! 🙂 And your attitude, Seonaid!
Thank you, it was a beautiful moment to capture, as for the attitude that’s an ongoing job 🙂
Yup … if only most of us could. I do try! I wonder … how does one distinguish this state of ‘beautiful truth’ from complacency? How can one know when enough is enough? When is the current status good enough? And where do we find motivation if not in pursuit goals? Am I being too introspective? Perhaps so. Your point is well taken Seonaid … if I could only be OK with being OK … I truly think I’d be much better off. D
David I don’t think of complacency as the same thing as acceptance. Complacency to me feels as though I would be saying that what there is now is as good as it gets, the end point from which there is no further growth or change. Acceptance on the other hand always leaves me feeling that there’s more to come, another day filled with yet more wonder. I don’t see acceptance as giving in or resting on my laurels, but as a vibrant ongoing challenge to truly enter my life as it unfolds before me. Acceptance is about being real with ourselves and entering the reality and truth of our lives…..with all of our bumps and warts……allowing ourselves to feel happiness and sadness right now, and being open for each new moment that life fills to bursting and rolls towards us.
Constantly living towards a future goal can become a habit which robs us of the here and now wonder of our lives and of ourselves…..but it’s not an easy habit to break 🙂
Loads of true wisdom. Love to read your posts.
Oh thank you Rosa….and I’ve just been catching up with your beautiful paintings. Somehow your posts haven’t been appearing in my reader, so it’s lovely to catch up on all your recent work 🙂
Beautiful image 🙂
Thank you, it makes me smile each time I look at it…..remembering the beautiful sunlight morning when I took it.